does your public school have a uniform?

[meowee]

I registered DD 7 for public school today and was surprised to learn that they have a uniform policy.

I have mixed feelings. On the one hand it seems like a move to "have discipline" in the system; on the other hand it worries me that maybe this was a move to try to fix something seriously wrong with the school (as far as i know it is an ok school).

I was also looking forward to buying her cute clothes for school--- oh well!

Does your ps have a uniform policy, if so, how do you feel about it?

[Leatherette]

The public school where I work has a uniform. Most of the kids come from very low income families, and I think a large part of it is to level the social playing field and eliminate clothing as status issues (which starts much earlier than most people imagine). The uniforms are sold at cost and are much less expensive than clothes found at stores, even discount stores. Children who can't afford them are given uniforms.

I like it. I had uniforms growing up, and it is easy for parents, easy for kids, and puts the focus on learning.

My son's school does not have a uniform, but I wouldn't mind if it did, as long as it was durable and not expensive.

L.

[boongirl]

I used to work at a public school that had uniforms. It was good because it was easier for the poorer kids. Their parents could buy them cheap uniforms at Target or they could even get them donated. And, there were fewer differences between rich and poor. Also, it helped cut down on theft of clothing and fighting over clothing. But, the kids are not forced to wear them. I also think it helps put the focus on education rather than clothing and accessories.

You can still go shopping. She won't wear the uniform at home and on weekends.

[alegna]

Nearly all public schools here have uniforms now. I hate them. HATE them. For a lot of reasons. In no particular order:

- kids are people too and deserve choices

- it feeds the feeling of turning kids into drones

- they don't improve performance- they change how teachers see the kids (some interesting research on this- the teachers were the problem to begin with)

- for "non-standard" kids it can be AWFUL. Overweight little girls in particular, can NOT look nice in uniforms. If left with other choices it's possible to pick cute clothes, but uniforms never fit them well and never look nice.

- white shirts= bad idea! (not all uniforms have this, but it's usually an option)

- collars for boys= BAD idea I can't tell you how many collar chewers I've taught


-Angela

[USAmma]

My dd has just been enrolled in a charter school (publicly funded). She has to wear a uniform and I personally love the idea! I was a childhood victim of much teasing and misery over the fact that I wore hand-me-down, out of style clothes.

My dd has several choices with her uniform:
--shirt can be red or white, a polo shirt or a blouse
-- she can wear navy blue skort, skirt, shorts, or jumper
-- her shoes can be white or black.
-- in the winter she can either wear a skirt/jumper with tights (navy or white), or navy pants.

The school says in their uniform policy that it's not their goal to have everyone look or act the same. They want the kids' personalities to be expressed and developed through actions, not clothing.

[meowee]

Originally Posted by alegna

- they don't improve performance- they change how teachers see the kids (some interesting research on this- the teachers were the problem to begin with)

Do you have any links to studies about uniforms? I don't doubt you, but this has made me want to research it. I vaguely remember reading something about this years ago.

[alegna]

I don't have a link- I'll see if I can track it down.

-Angela

[vsmom2two]

Mine aren't in school yet...
But there are schools near us that DO have uniforms manditory, and then some that don't.

Some of the girls in juinior high look like hookers heading to school! : If they're going to be the classmates, I'd rather just have everyone covered the same

[mommy68]

In our area the only public schools that require uniforms are the charter schools and only the kids from bad areas of town go there. I personally wouldn't put my kids there. I'd much rather them be in a traditional public school if they were to go to one, which they don't.

[CarrieMF]

The ones here don't and I'm glad, for alot of the same reasons Angela posted. I believe uniforms stifles a child's individuality, creativity and expressing themselves.

The clothing rules the schools here do have are that shirts and bottoms(pants, skirts, shorts) MUST touch. No bathing suit tops, spaghetti straps or halter tops. the spaghetti straps and halter tops are new.

In the higher grades I believe there are rules about underware being above the pants(girls and guys)

[udonandbroth]

Our school district has a unifom policy and I think it is good, though for kindergarteners? Even my dh (who grew up in the USSR) was surprised at that. He said they didn't wear uniforms in K but through the rest of school. I like the uniform idea because I remember in school stressing out soooo much about what to wear and shopping and accesories. It would have been nice not to have been judged by the mean girls at school. And I can just imagine what some of the girls and guys might try to wear to school in this district, esp. since we live very close to a major city. Judging by what some of the kids wear off hours (once I saw an 11 year old girl riding a bike in front of our building, wearing low riders with a black thong sticking out over the top of her pants :P I was horrified.) on the streets, I don't see how they could not have a uniform policy.

I'm irritated right now, though because school starts on Tuesday and we are broke right now. Have not bought any uniforms yet. I might have to just buy two shirts and make him take them off right after school so that he does not get them dirty. When we have more money I will buy him everything that he needs. I am even planning to knit a sweater for him in his school colors (purple and gold): a solid sweater with the school emblem on the front (which is allowed)