Does your PUBLIC school require uniforms?

[Chinese Pistache]

Or is that even legal? I would so LOVE to have uniforms for public school. I wonder who I could talk to about that. . .

[1growingsprout]

Yes they have uniforms in some of the public schools around here... I do not agree with the policy for a number of reasons, but its a non-issue as we homeschool.

[Ellie'sMom]

Lots of school systems require uniforms now. Ours does not, but schools may adopt an optional uniform. The magnet school dd will attend for kindy next year has had an optional, and mostly ignored uniform for years and we just found out that they are actually putting the pressure on for kids to wear it this year. In our school system the uniform can only be mandatory if there is a program in place to purchase uniforms for low income families.

I am really not excited about the uniform. Dd is a kid who expresses herself through her clothes, but she is happy to shop at thrift stores and get hand-me-downs. We are spending more money on uniform clothes than we would have on regular school stuff, and it is ugly! Her school is just requiring navy, white, or gold tops and navy or khaki bottoms, so it is flexible...but boring. Why are uniform colors never pink or purple! So sexist! I'd rather just have a required uniform jumper really.

Oh well...anyway, to answer your original question, I would first check the regs for your school system. If they are ok with uniforms, or at least optional uniforms, I would check with the PTO.

[DBZ]

When I lived in Florida, the schools in my county were coverting to uniforms. They made the first year or two optional, but after that it was mandatory. I liked it for the kids for many reasons, but I didn't care for the additional cost. It also would bother me that the kids would not have that form of self expression.

[s_kristina]

Where I live in FL some of the county schools require a uniform, like the charter schools and other don't. A few of the regular public schools are starting to. We moved here from LA 2 years ago now and all schools there both public and private had uniforms. After being used to uniforms I wish they required uniforms here. I tell my dd to change to play clothes when she gets home so it wouldn't be that big of a difference for us here. I know there has been some desire from parents in the schools to move towards uniforms and I'm hoping to learn more as the school year goes on.

[Starr]

No, none of the schools in my area or even further out require uniforms.

[eclipse]

Some public schools around here have them, but DS' does not. There was some talk from some of the PTA people at a bday party recently about it (they were in favor) and I would be really, really, really angry if they try to push it forward. My son's school is about respecting children as individuals while educating them, and not forcing them into a cookie cutter learning model, and I would hope they would respect their other choices as well.

[Houdini]

I wish.....

[MamaPam]

The local public schools in Kentucky require a uniform. They were khaki pants, shorts, skirts. No cargo style pants. They're shirts have to be one out of a few colors too. My friend has boys and I know they wear polo shirts not t-shirts, I guess its the same for the girls.

-Pam

[infraread]

Yup. There are I think 3 elementary schools in my town, and the one DS is going to has a uniform policy. I'm not sure about the other 2? The middle school also has a uniform policy, but not the high school.

[Belleweather]

No, but many of the charter schools in our state DO require them so I know it isn't a legal issue. And I really, really wish they would...

[trini]

Yes. Not all but some.

[TinyBabyBean]

quite a few public schools in our area require uniforms, navy pants/shorts/skorts and white button up or polo style shirts. ours does not. i guess the uniform schools could have some advantages. i like the idea of no uniforms. not sure why.

[Nikki Christina]

1 school in our district is requiring them this year as a test..
many parents are complaining.
I really really hope it goes badely. i dont want uniforms!

[CarrieMF]

the ones here don't & if they did I'd pull the kids from the school.

[crittersmom]

My son's school has a uniform shirt that is worn with brown bottoms.On Fridays they have free dress.
I went to a public school and a Catholic school growing up and we were poor in a rich neighborhood so it was actually nicer wearing a uniform.I hated the colors I had to wear but by the time I graduated they had changed them and gave us more choices.It was nice not looking like the poor kid cuz I couldn't afford the jean of the moment (remember Guess?) and I didn't have to plan an outfit out the night before.
I also worked at a public junior high school as security in an area that had some gangs.When they switched to uniform it was (and still is) optional theparent just had to sign a waiver.The uniform was just a polo shirt with the school mascot like the Lacosta alligator worn with whatever bottoms they chose.The students were sooo different.There were less fights.

[painefaria]

The local public school has uniforms for elem. and middle schools. I have worked in a middle school where they required the uniforms and I don't think that it made any difference to the environment. It was still a mad house :

[momz3]

Well we live on a military post and the schools on post do not require them...however it is apart of KISD (Killeen, TX) and the elementary and middle schools OFF post are required...
Not sure why that is:

[SusanInItaly]

My children go to a public elem that requires them. We just moved here in March, and at first I was put off by them (the additional expense, not letting her pick out her own clothes,etc) but I have to tell you, I LOVE them now. I can't really express why honestly, I just do. My kids can wear their hair and shoes however (as long as it's safe) and so they usually wear neon colored Crocs w/their uniforms and DD wears crazy bows in her hair, LOL. And they look so cute!! Our uniform isn't a certain brand, just navy blue jumpers/skorts/skirts/shorts/pants and light blue polos.

[eli janine]

The middle school where I teach is a charter school (public), and we have a required uniform. We do provide free uniforms to students on free/reduced lunch program (56% of our student body). Our uniform is navy or khaki bottoms (skirt, jumper, non-cargo pants) and red, white, or navy blue tops (polos, sweaters, turtlenecks, fleece, or sweatshirt without any visible logos). I would assure anyone who is worried about self-expression that all of the students find plenty of ways to express who they are as individuals without having an issue with the uniforms. We treat our students respectfully and value each of them as an individual, even if they are dressed similarly. Many parents like the ease of the morning routine, and personally I just like it that we don't have to deal with a lot of the "iffy" styles that push boundaries of appropriateness (pushing those boundaries is a middle schooler's job, btw), and it makes it very clear and fair when we won't allow something. For example, we do not have to argue about how low her jeans can be or how much of his boxers can be visible. On free dress days (we have them once a month, plus students can win/earn them), the students have a lot of fun picking out what they would like to wear, and it's really fun to see them out of uniform. I DO remember Guess jeans, from the perspective of the girl who was still wearing the Lee's or Wrangler's that her mom bought three pairs of each fall. I was so uncool! With our uniform, I think the kids find ways to be unique that are economically more equal.