Does your PUBLIC school require uniforms? - Page 7

[CindyC]

Yes, our school district requires uniforms. I believe it was the first to require uniforms district wide. And I hate it. Actually, I never thought much about uniforms before. When we were looking for schools for Rachel, I just wanted to know what colors, haha. But when we were in Target picking out her clothes, I just hated it. Dark blue pants, skirts, or jumpers with white or red shirts. Blah. And the material is so horrible. Maybe I need to shop in a more expensive place, but still, I think Rachel will hate it, too. I would love to just pick up any outfit I like. I saw some cute purple and black plaid skirts, but can't get those.

[jennlyn]

I notice that some say that they let their children pick out and wear whatever they want. That may be fine when they are small and choices aren't objectionable, but are these the kids that turn up in middle and high school with their underwear showing, cleavage hanging out , too short skirts and innuendos on their t-shirts? When I see middle schoolers wearing these things I have to wonder who is purchasing these items for them. How can one expect respect from others when they disrespect themselves by wearing clothes that expose as much as possible? Sorry, I don't think little girls wearing shorts with "Hottie" on the rear end looks cute. Seems like once you get past size 6X, there isn't much distinction between girls clothes and teenage girls clothes.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by CindyC

Yes, our school district requires uniforms. I believe it was the first to require uniforms district wide. And I hate it. Actually, I never thought much about uniforms before. When we were looking for schools for Rachel, I just wanted to know what colors, haha. But when we were in Target picking out her clothes, I just hated it. Dark blue pants, skirts, or jumpers with white or red shirts. Blah. And the material is so horrible. Maybe I need to shop in a more expensive place, but still, I think Rachel will hate it, too. I would love to just pick up any outfit I like. I saw some cute purple and black plaid skirts, but can't get those.

As Angela mentioned, there's pretty good court precedent for parents being able to opt their children out of uniform policies. Of course, then you deal with your child being "different" and have to consider their feelings in that regard - but if you really don't want to do uniforms, you don't have to.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by jennlyn

I notice that some say that they let their children pick out and wear whatever they want. That may be fine when they are small and choices aren't objectionable, but are these the kids that turn up in middle and high school with their underwear showing, cleavage hanging out , too short skirts and innuendos on their t-shirts? When I see middle schoolers wearing these things I have to wonder who is purchasing these items for them. How can one expect respect from others when they disrespect themselves by wearing clothes that expose as much as possible? Sorry, I don't think little girls wearing shorts with "Hottie" on the rear end looks cute. Seems like once you get past size 6X, there isn't much distinction between girls clothes and teenage girls clothes.

I let my kids wear whatever they want out of what I buy for them, and I dont' buy anything for them that I don't think it appropriate or that I suspect they won't wear. So, no, my 4 yo won't have shorts that say "juicy" or whatever. I also don't have a problem with certain aspects of dress codes - I can get down with no profanity on shirts (although I would consider buying one of my kids a "profane" shirt ), no discriminatory slogans, or sexual pictures/sayings. Beyond that, I think it gets crazy. The lastyear my niece was in high school, they banned tank tops for girls, because they thought they were too sexual. Apparently, female shoulders are just setting boys up to rape or something. /sarcasm FTR, they didn't ban them fo boys. Just girls. They are lucky my kids weren't students there.

[UUMom]

My dh is in a small private school, and I wish we had unifroms. I don't care what-- just something that could be thrown on qucikly without thought. lol I mean, even gray sweat pants with a white t shirt would make ds' morning easier. I would hope the school wouldn't care about degree of clean, however. lol Anyway, it's never going to happen, parents have asked, the admin says nopenopenope. Dang!

[UUMom]

I just went back to read some of the thread, I answered without reading much. It turned into an argument. No middle ground at all?

[becoming]

Nope, our school is the only school in our entire parish (county) that doesn't require uniforms. I can see both sides of the issue. Personally I'm glad we don't have to do uniforms because I have fun picking out school clothes, dressing my kids, etc.

[Mizelenius]

No. We live in the suburbs. I think parents would be in an uproar.

I'm from the city. I would prefer uniforms. I'd get some from Gymboree-- save me so much time and money (big sale going on now!). It seems so SIMPLE. People want to express their individuality, right? I think, in the long run . . . it actually turns into wearing what is accepted by PEERS.

My sister's school (in the city) has uniforms. They are doing a co-op for fair trade shirts.

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by alegna

Wow. I would venture an educated guess that there is not a SINGLE uniform policy here that DOESN'T require tucked in shirts. And it's strongly enforced.

-Angela

The school I worked for did not require that at all, but they did require uniforms.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Mizelenius

No. We live in the suburbs. I think parents would be in an uproar.

I'm from the city. I would prefer uniforms. I'd get some from Gymboree-- save me so much time and money (big sale going on now!). It seems so SIMPLE. People want to express their individuality, right? I think, in the long run . . . it actually turns into wearing what is accepted by PEERS.

My sister's school (in the city) has uniforms. They are doing a co-op for fair trade shirts.

So we should teach them to conform to adults, but not to peers? Not really seeing much difference myself.



-Angela

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Mizelenius

The school I worked for did not require that at all, but they did require uniforms.

That's why I said here and guess

-Angela

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by alegna

So we should teach them to conform to adults, but not to peers? Not really seeing much difference myself.



-Angela

My personal choice is to have her conform to adults in this case.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Mizelenius

My personal choice is to have her conform to adults in this case.

And I would not be comfortable with that choice. Luckily I am in a position to be able to avoid that. Not all parents are though.

-Angela

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by Mizelenius

My personal choice is to have her conform to adults in this case.

That's why it's great that you have the choice to go buy her uniforms and have her wear them, regardless of school policy.

[Lucysmama]

My city's public schools have open enrollment (you can choose which school to send your child to) and some offer uniforms as policy, and some do not.

[Mary]

My son's school has uniforms. It is just the school shirt though. You can pick from many colors (navy, forest green, lt. blue, red, pink, yellow, etc...), they all are polos with the school logo embroidered on it. They have short sleeves and long sleeves, hoodies, and sweatshirts. I love it. They do not have to tuck them in and on Fridays they do not have to wear the shirt- they can wear whatever they want. I think it is the best of both worlds.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by Mary

My son's school has uniforms. It is just the school shirt though. You can pick from many colors (navy, forest green, lt. blue, red, pink, yellow, etc...), they all are polos with the school logo embroidered on it. They have short sleeves and long sleeves, hoodies, and sweatshirts. I love it. They do not have to tuck them in and on Fridays they do not have to wear the shirt- they can wear whatever they want. I think it is the best of both worlds.

Hm. And how much are these shirts?

-Angela

[NotAMama]

I work at a very poor, challenged middle school -- 81% free/reduced lunch, 30% of our students are in foster care with another 10%-20% being in some form of "alternative" family care (i.e., being raised by grandparents, older siblings, aunts or uncles, etc).

We don't have a uniform, but we do have a strict dress code -- boys have to wear their pants up -- not falling down off their bums with underwear showing, shirts must be tucked in. No drug or sexual innuendos on t-shirts. Girls can't wear heels higher than 1/2 inch (though that is mostly for safety as we are an outdoor campus and the students walk across sand/grass a lot) and their skirts can't be any higher than 4 inches above the knee. Also, no midriff shirts or spaghetti strap tanks. Students breaking dress code in our school have been put in ISSP until a parent or guardian can bring appropriate clothes to wear.

My favorite days are game days -- when the sports team (whether it's football, soccer, basketball, baseball) is required by coaches to wear dress slacks, button down shirts and ties (for boys) or nice pants/skirt and nice shirt or dress (for girls). Not only do the children look fantastic, but there is a MARKED difference in their behaviors on those days. They stand taller, they sit straighter, their behavior is usually 100% better, they are more attentive in class.

The contrast between game days attitudes of the athletes and non-game days attitudes is HUGE.