Dress down question for those with school uniforrms

[emdav]

My daughter's school is having their first dress down day. It is a new school. The uniform is solid color, collared shirts and solid bottoms. Allowable bottom colors are navy and khaki.

It was announced that dress down day allows for uniform shirt and jeans only. I'm so disappointed because dd has sensory issues and refuses jeans. In fact, she doesn't own any because they were never worn.

My question is: Is this typical for dress down days?

I was so hoping she could wear a pair of leggings even if they are required to be solid. Would it be reasonable to request this as an option for all or would I just be seen as a problematic parent?

Before anyone asks, yes, her issues are serious enough that she receives therapy for them and our medical insurance pays for it.

 

[Liberty Belle]

We've had dress down days where the students can wear a school tshirt or a sports tshirt and dress code pants, but not the other way around.

I'd send out an email to her principal. It couldn't hurt (as long as you're pleasant).

 

[binny]

Hey I have a sensory issues kid (among a LOT of other things) she also receives therapy for it. It *IS* a medical condition and anyone who doesn't think it is is lucky enough to not have to deal with it. This is isn't just a kid being "picky" its kids who have serious issues with all of their senses. It was best explained to me that whatever information we take in be it sound sight or touch, to them it is magnified by 20 or 30 times. Causing severe sensory overload. yes, I have had to deal with those questions and accusations too, it gets really old really quickly.

That being said, I would definitely ask about it. It seems like a reasonable accommodation to me especially if you have sensory as part of her IEP.


Worst case scenario though cant you just send her in the regular uniform? I know it isn't the same but at least she would be more comfortable. Or maybe a skirt if she will wear that?

 

[Rora]

When I went to school, we could wear whatever we wanted on dress down days. Guess times have changed!

I would send an email to the principle/teacher and explain your DD's situation, offer to include a note from your DD's therapist.

Honestly, this is a sticky situation- you don't want her to NOT dress down because I know kids enjoy doing so (she could just tell her classmates that she forgot..) but at the same time, is she going to be singled out for being the only one allowed to wear leggings? Just looking out for your DD.

Hope this works out for the best, OP!

 

[mamacatnv]

My DD wears a uniform and our "free dress" days are always dictated to us. Often with a color/holiday theme. Not all kids partake, there are as many in uniform as not.

I personally would let it go.

 

[tinatark]

My kids' school allowed cargo pants or other non-dress code bottoms (other colors, jeans,etc.) on dress down Fridays. Maybe that's something you can suggest to the principal/headmaster.

That said, I don't see leggings being allowed for any girls - too much room for abuse, IMO, esp. with older students. Also, unless the uniform shirt is big, I'm not thinking leggings would look right.

 

[MM27]

In my school, my principal will usually allow a dress down day the day before holiday breaks. In June we usually have dress down day every Friday. The kids don't have to wear any part of the uniform on dress down days. Some of the kids, especially the girls, tend to "dress up" on dress down days. It becomes almost like a show off day to see how pretty you can look.

 

[emdav]

Well, I'm glad to see that dictated dress down day is common. I was surprised. I thought they would get to choose. Guess not.

As for leggings, dd is 5. A pair of Gymboree leggings is what I had in mind. They are actually allowable by the dress code, we just don't have navy ones. Dd is wearing skirts and dresses for the most part.

I just asked dd if she thought jeans would be a good idea. She told me she will wear the "unicorn." Aren't little kids cute? She meant uniform. She doesn't seem to care, so I guess I won't make an issue of it. She certainly won't be jealous of the kids who wear jeans.

 

[Erin1700]

Well, I'm glad to see that dictated dress down day is common. I was surprised. I thought they would get to choose. Guess not.

As for leggings, dd is 5. A pair of Gymboree leggings is what I had in mind. They are actually allowable by the dress code, we just don't have navy ones. Dd is wearing skirts and dresses for the most part.

I just asked dd if she thought jeans would be a good idea. She told me she will wear the "unicorn." Aren't little kids cute? She meant uniform. She doesn't seem to care, so I guess I won't make an issue of it. She certainly won't be jealous of the kids who wear jeans.

My DD8 won't wear anything but Gymboree leggings. So if she was told to wear jeans, I am not sure what we would do!! She goes to a public school with no uniform though.
I understand where you are coming from! Not sure asking for a change would work. If they okay skirts, then they have to get into length issues!

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

My children are having their first dress down day for this year tomorrow. In our county only a handful of elementary schools and all middle schools have uniforms..it's up to the principal. On dress down days, kids can wear anything as long as it meets the county dress code that the schools without uniforms have....certain length to shorts and skirts, no cami tops, no "sag and drag" pants, etc. DS is very excited to wear his star wars tshirt and camo shorts....who know what fashion masterpiece DD will bestow upon us.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Our out of uniform days depend on the school. DD1 can pay $1 & wear jeans & Friday teeshirt (that we bought) on Fri. Though last Thurs was themed so it was cowboy clothes.

DD2 always has to wear uniform bottoms & the shirt changes....last years school was never out of uniform

So maybe you could suggest they wear uniform bottoms but change to the shirt of their choice - or specified color? This week was a red shirt for dd2

 

[golfgal]

Why bother having dress down days if you still have to wear the uniform ??

My sister was telling me that her son got a note home because his socks were too short-they have to be mid calf or higher? Sorry, that is just a little TOO picky. I don't have a problem with uniforms but sometimes they go overboard.

 

[minniebeth]

Ugh, I hate dress down days!
My kids love them, but they are a headache. Our kids have a theme dictated as well, and with the kids wearing uniforms everyday, we don't always have that theme's clothes in our closets! We've had tears of please can we go buy....usually the answer is no, use what we have.

OP, if your DD has the issues with jeans, I would definately address it with the teacher, or principal. She should be able to dress down with everyone else with what works for her under the circumstances.

 

[sunnyday123]

Our dress down days are jeans/cargo pants but no t-shirts or any shirt for that matter with writing on them.

Honestly, so many parents forget about dress down days it doesn't really matter. If she wants to wear her "unicorn" let her. I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, that might cause her to get upset over something small.

 

[sbell111]

Hey I have a sensory issues kid (among a LOT of other things) she also receives therapy for it. It *IS* a medical condition and anyone who doesn't think it is is lucky enough to not have to deal with it. This is isn't just a kid being "picky" its kids who have serious issues with all of their senses. It was best explained to me that whatever information we take in be it sound sight or touch, to them it is magnified by 20 or 30 times. Causing severe sensory overload. yes, I have had to deal with those questions and accusations too, it gets really old really quickly.

That being said, I would definitely ask about it. It seems like a reasonable accommodation to me especially if you have sensory as part of her IEP.

It is not a reasonable accomodation issue because she has a medically acceptable option available to her.

 

[NotUrsula]

Varies. We have some theme dress downs such as Cardinals Day, where they can only wear team shirts, but regular dress-down days allow anything as long as it is "modest" and seasonal, as in, you cannot wear shorts in December, because uniform shorts are not allowed at that time of year. Pajamas of any kind are not allowed at any time, and neither are sandals; shoes must have a closed toe and heel.

Parochial middle school, btw.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Since she's not worried about wearing her "unicorn", I wouldn't worry either That said, in the three Catholic schools I went to, we were allowed to wear whatever we wanted (within reason) on dress down days.

 

[emdav]

It is not a reasonable accomodation issue because she has a medically acceptable option available to her.

Sure, she has options. I think jeans only is restrictive because dress down day is not an automatic. It is earned by each individual student. Dress down day is a reward and it is not rewarding to her. I don't want special rules for her. I just wish they'd allow more than jeans. What's so wrong with solid color bottoms of your choice as long as the meet the length requirement of the uniform?

 

[cybrkitn]

Why bother having dress down days if you still have to wear the uniform ??

That's what I was saying about DS7's school. He doesn't have a dress down day per say. They have passes that are earned called a "no uniform" pass.

He can't wear jeans or sneakers when using the pass. The only thing it means is that he doesn't have to wear the uniform with the logo on it. It still needs to be navy, black or grey pants with a solid color polo (don't know if the polo still needs to be in either light blue or white). So what's the point of having a "no uniform" pass ?

 

[sbell111]

Sure, she has options. I think jeans only is restrictive because dress down day is not an automatic. It is earned by each individual student. Dress down day is a reward and it is not rewarding to her. I don't want special rules for her. I just wish they'd allow more than jeans. What's so wrong with solid color bottoms of your choice as long as the meet the length requirement of the uniform?

Nothing's wrong with it, except that it violates the school's rules.

Still, it's not a reasonable accomodation issue.