uniforms for public school

[muldey]

I guess this is more of a vent than anything.My city passed through the state that uniforms will be required this September for all public school students.Marroon or grey polos,khaki or black pants.Plain sneakers or dress shoes.My kids and I are very upset with this.Dd(12) because she likes to express herself through her clothes,ds(almost 9 and autistic) because he is afraid he will have to wear uncomfortable clothes(which will severely affect his behavior,he spent all of last year in jogging pants and tshirts and a lot of the time his crocs because he just can't handle much else),and I because I just cannot afford it.I bought all of their clothes last year at thrift stores and yard sales,and I've looked, there are no uniforms there.I have an email in to a committee member to find out about waivers and vouchers.I'm not sure what help either will be,as I'm not sure what either will cover.The ACLU is most likely going to fight it(they sent a letter threatening litigation),but who knows how long that will take.The city is crying over having no money,but I'm sure it cost them money to get this passed,which could have been better spent(like on an aide for my ds).

How is this supposed to stop fights and have children perform better?That is part of their reasoning.They also say this will save parents money.They are selling uniform shirts through the PTAs,$7 with embroidery of your school logo,or $5 without.I can't even afford that!They said to get the bottoms at stores like JC Penny,which there is no way I can afford.

I just can't understand their reasoning.Any thoughts?Help me to understand this.

[mommy2maya]

I would definitely check with them about a voucher. With uniforms, you can have a lot less clothes overall- three shirts, three pants. So, $15 for shirts, and then another $30 for pants- you can generally get the plain khaki pants in the summer, soon, for around $10/pr at target or kmart or walmart.

Our school district has had uniforms for years now, way before my kids started. I really do love it- so simple and easy to get them ready in the mornings. I haven't heard any complaints really from other parents, tho that may be because they've been there forever and it is what it is.

[Tradd]

I have a friend in the south who has an autistic son (middle school age). Her district is going to uniforms beginning this fall, but because her son can only wear certain kinds of shirts due to sensory issues (he destroys any other shirts), she was able to get a waiver for him to wear the specific type of shirt that doesn't bother him. Sorry, I don't know the specific details, but a waiver might be something to check into.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I have never understood uniforms. I know the reasons they give but I can BS honestly. I cant even imagine what I would do should they do them here I would be so screwed.

I know exactly what you mean about being able to afford them. I get my kids clothes at goodwill for the most part and the rest are given to us. I could not afford to pay for uniforms.

I hope you can get a waver for your ds I would think that since he is autistic it would fall under the category of seeing to those needs for him to be able to wear whatever he needs to.

[je309]

I get all of our uniform stuff at walmart. You can buy it online and have it shipped to the store for free. The shirts end up being $4.50 per shirt sold in a 3 or 4 pack and you can mix and match colors. Pants are about $8 and shorts $7. I personally love uniforms as well and it truly does save money for me in regard to clothing. I buy them thrift store/clearance clothing for play after school and on the weekends and that's it.

Here is a link to walmart's uniforms: http://www.walmart.com/browse/School...geCatId=133202

I hope this all works out for you. I agree that there should be exceptions made for your son.

[whatsnextmom]

Our school tried to go uniform and I was for it personally. My son trashes his clothing and I'd rather him stain up the school polo shirts with kick ball dirt and rip up the knees of his uniform pants than his other clothing. The parent vote was "yes" by 65 percent but it needed 75 percent to win so no uniforms. However, the kindie parents were almost 100 percent for uniforms so they are going uniform and every new class under them will go uniform. By the time they are in 5th, the whole school will be uniform.

Statistically, uniforms do improve school performance and behavior. There are plenty of studies out there to support that. Most schools have programs for people who cannot afford the uniform. This will be the toughest year as it's new for everyone and there aren't so many to pass down or give to goodwill. Often groups like the Kiwanas or Optimists will help families in need with school supplies (including uniforms.) This might be an option for you.

I'm sure you could get a waiver for you son being that he's special needs.

There are many ways to express yourself that don't involve your clothing. Plus, lets be honest, few kids actually express "themselves." They wear clothing that their peers are wearing in order to blend-in and fit (and it's never, ever cheap clothing.) Take a look at your high school yearbook, back when we all thought we were such individuals. You'll marvel at how we all pretty much look the same.... same hair styles, same jewelry, same clothes. Kids wear clothes that differentiate themselves from adults not clothes that differentiate themselves from other kids. Even kids who go extremes don't do it alone. There is always a group of kids they are dressing to belong with.

[DariusMom]

My DS went to an inner-city public school for a semester when we were in the US last Spring. I never had uniforms and was a bit disconcerted that he had to wear dark blue trousers (no jeans) and a white shirt (no logos/branding/writing).

Other than the fact that white is wildly impractical for kindergartners (!), the uniform worked out really well. We ultimately needed far fewer clothes and there were no issues about what to wear every morning. The teacher (with 35 years classroom experience!) told me that behavior had improved a great deal once the school system moved to uniforms.

I would pursue finding a good solution for your son (maybe the same color but in other fabrics, etc.) and asking for vouchers/financial help. I'm sorry. I know it sucks, but I think uniforms, overall, will end up costing you less money in the long run, even though you shop at thrift stores normally.

[EFmom]

Have you inquired as to whether or not there is an opt out? Districts like to keep this top secret, but in many places there is an opt out option, but most parents don't know about it. You may need to be very pushy with the district to get them to admit to it.

I think forcing kids to wear school uniforms at public schools is obscene.

[Emmeline II]

Personally I love uniforms and am very happy that the public charter ds will attend next year has uniforms.

Uniforms are required for attendance in my city's poorest school district but some schools in my district and others require them as well. Once they system has been in place for awhile uniform parts should be showing up in thrift stores.

I agree with a pp that there likely is an "opt out" since it is a public school, but you should also be able to get a waiver for your son.

I'm not concerned about my children being able to "express themselves" through clothing at school, they can do that outside school hours.

[mommy2maya]

One thing to consider as far as a waiver, it is unlikely that many if any other families
Will pursue one and then it will be your children sticking
Out. Of course this may not matter to you, but it might to your daughter who is definiitely in that awkward tween stage where things start mattering more.

[Amatullah0]

I don't have any experience with public schools and uniforms, so I would wonder, what happens if you don't buy uniforms? Do they send the kids home? suspend them? Is that even legal to do, since there is no other option for free schools? I mean, could they force someone to go to a private school because they can't afford a uniform? It makes no sense to me.

[Drummer's Wife]

I am not a fan of uniforms, personally, but our school did have a loose uniform policy for about the first year my kids attended (so glad they changed it). Anyhow, I am certain they are required to have an opt-out for religious or special needs reasons. But like M2M said, that would make your kid stand out b/c I doubt most schools have even a couple students who fill out the waiver.

I do think there are ways to find uniforms for cheaper than regular clothes (even if you are used to thrift store shopping). I got a great deal on Craigslist when looking, and even at walmart the prices aren't bad considering you wouldn't need very many pieces (especially since you said there are only 2 colors of polos allowed). You just wash them more often.

[RufusBeans]

hopefully you can find a solution. I would hope the school would have vouchers for those who need them, and you can find something comfortable for your son (elastic waist bands?) My dd had to wear polos this year, and I found putting a soft undershirt underneath the polo cut down on the irritation the buttons caused.

[zinemama]

As someone who never had the "right clothes" and suffered for it, I would have loved school uniforms. I tend to think they are a good thing, but even if I didn't, I can't see making this a hill to die on. The teachers, the curriculum, the atmosphere of the school, the parent involvement - all that is so much more important.

[MusicianDad]

We are lucky here, a few years ago one public school tried to impose mandatory uniforms and were told by the courts they couldn't refuse to teach a student not wearing a uniform, so we are safe.

Uniforms are really just a way to make the administrators and some of the parents feel like they are doing something. They are not some magical tool to stop all bullying, gang membership, violence, drugs, poor academic standings, etc that so many people make them out to be. They are just clothes and yet another way for some arbitrary person to decide arbitrary clothing for the masses so the students can't wear something that person finds inappropriate, regardless of what the parent thinks.

Hopefully you can find some sort of way around this, or maybe other parents will start speaking up and the whole thing will get tossed like what happened here. I mean uniforms don't work if most of the parents won't force their kids to wear them right?

[amma_mama]

Uniforms suck, IMHO. DD went to a private school for K, so we knew it going in. They were expensive and not very good quality. I could have bought a ton of comfortable cotton clothes at Target for the price of one uniform. Also, who thinks that white is a good choice for kids? Her first day at school was art class and within 2 hours one shirt was already ruined with stains that would not come out. I eventually reconciled myself to the fact that mostly white with grey cuffs was good enough. Still, I had to do laundry too often and waste a lot of water as we could not afford to have more than a few uniforms (and they a different one for gym).

I am so happy (for many other reasons as well) that she will be going to our local public elementary next year. I would be uber annoyed if they opted for uniforms.

My Mom works in a Middle School that adopted uniforms a few years back. The kids with behavior problems still have behavior problems. The kids that got picked on still get picked on. Uniforms serve no real purpose and is a wasted "policy reform" that distracts from the real issues in schools.

[luv2homeschool]

I taught at a school with uniforms and my dd went to for 2 years. At first I loved the idea. I thought, no fights in the am on what to wear, no children coming to school in unacceptable clothing, ect. When my dd started to go there I realized it wasn;t as great as I thought. We too received most of her clothes as hand me downs or I went to goodwill, so the uniforms were an additional cost. My mom helped and made her some jumpers (before I knew how to sew) and I found some navy blue bottoms at goodwill.

I was happy when dd started to go to our neighborhood school. I didn't have to worry about buying the right clothes.

And, as a teacher, I never saw a difference in the behaviour of my students. But, I always expected students in the class to behave.

[Emmeline II]

Originally Posted by amma_mama

Uniforms suck, IMHO. DD went to a private school for K, so we knew it going in. They were expensive and not very good quality.

Public schools (and many private) here have very basic uniforms, usually khaki pants/skirt (sometimes a jumper), and a white or dark polo shirt, all of which can be bought inexpensively at Target or Walmart (they have uniform sections here). Or they can be bought at other companies like LLBean.

I once worked at a private boys school that had pink and grey uniforms which included blazers, pullovers, slacks, shorts, ties, beenies, book bags and gym bags; I'll bet THAT was expensive.

[whatsnextmom]

Public schools (and many private) here have very basic uniforms,

Yes, most uniforms are nothing like most of us remember the Catholic school girls had to wear as kids. DS's school proposal was navy or khaki pants, skirts, shorts, jumpers. Solid polo shirts of green, navy, white or "Spirit wear" which were any sort of school t-shirt from any event past or present. I wouldn't have had to buy anything as he already had the spirit wear and the pants/shorts!

I've seen some schools that have hawaiian shirts as part of their uniform lol. Some have "dress codes" that require no lettering on clothing, must have collars, ect. Certainly a far cry of the pink and gray numbers you were describing!

[Zoesmama]

I find them to be more affordable but they have their annoying issues too. One is it gets to be same old boring clothing.

I find them in thrift stores here. Trying looking for discount uniform shops. Online I find them all the time for 5-10 for shorts/skirts-skorts. I really seem to like the Old Navy ones. If you can wash midweek you don't need many. Hunt around as they get into it shops will open or supplies will be found at thrift/resale shops. Do you have any private schools that have already required them for some time? Maybe you can call and ask for discount shops they may know of.

Definitely if you have trouble affording them new maybe you can find scholarships in the area. Again a private school may know of options there. Or search their websites for uniform info.

One thing that was nice about the school dd attended when we lived in Florida was they allowed blue or black denim as long as it was plain with no designs. That should really be an option for public schools requiring them. But individuality aside in a year or two you'll find them in thrift stores easier. Find some cool belts and shoes. Even scarfs tied through the belt loops are sometimes allowed and give a personal flair.