Public School Dress Codes - uniforms

[RadioNate]

Has anyone's public school introduced what is basically a uniform as a dress code?

Ours was announced yesterday and people are really up in arms. They are calling it a "standardized dress code" but they are uniforms.

There was no parent vote or hearing/meeting to discuss. The PTA was not consulted.

This is only for our school and not district wide. The school has no problems with gangs. Most kids are socio-economicly on par with each other. While visiting the school I haven't noticed any major inappropriate dress.

If this happened at your school was it successfully enforced? What happened if you didn't comply?

Has anyone successfully fought a uniform policy?

Most of our PTA has resigned due to the announcement.

I don't think people would be that upset but it is very strict and came out of the blue. Basically one color of polo shirt (plus white) and khaki pants with gym shoes.

 

[ilovejack02]

We have been like this for about 5 years people complained at first, but didn't do any good.

Makes my life much easier, I love love love it!

If the kids don't comply they get in trouble just like they would if they broke any other school rule.

We also don't have issues with gangs and most kids socio-economicly on par with each other.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

We don't have one but I'd love it. I think uniforms are a wonderful idea. I wore uniforms in private school.

 

[Jennasis]

What a bizarre reason to resign. Uniforms are a God-send! Takes the guesswork out each morning. Kids are at school to learn. not for a fashion show. I would have LOVED one when I was in school. I don't understand why the parents are upset. I can see the kids all agitated, but they will get over it.

 

[disneymom2evie]

I've been out of high school for 11 years now, and they put the uniforms into effect the last year I was there. Khaki pants, shorts and skirts. Or you could wear red and blue plaid (school colors were blue, red and I think white or silver). You could wear a red, blue or white polo shirt with the schools logo on the upper left hand shoulder. We didn't have any gang issues and for the most part, everyone was fine with their little cliques. Parents and students were fussing at first, but then when they figured out it was going to stay, they just shut up. All of the schools in this parish are mandatory uniforms. Kids found other ways to show their parents' wealth. When I was in high school, noone had Coach and Louis Vuitton handbags. That is how you can tell the "rich" kid from the "poor kid". Then again... back in my day... we were fussed at for having a pager in class. Now... students don't even know what a pager is. It's all about the cell phones and who has the best one with the coolest technology. It'll get like that at your school, too. Before, it was who had the best brand jeans and shirts and stuff, now it'll be who has the best car and house.

 

[cheermom1]

I've been out of high school for 11 years now, and they put the uniforms into effect the last year I was there. Khaki pants, shorts and skirts. Or you could wear red and blue plaid (school colors were blue, red and I think white or silver). You could wear a red, blue or white polo shirt with the schools logo on the upper left hand shoulder. We didn't have any gang issues and for the most part, everyone was fine with their little cliques. Parents and students were fussing at first, but then when they figured out it was going to stay, they just shut up. All of the schools in this parish are mandatory uniforms. Kids found other ways to show their parents' wealth. When I was in high school, noone had Coach and Louis Vuitton handbags. That is how you can tell the "rich" kid from the "poor kid". Then again... back in my day... we were fussed at for having a pager in class. Now... students don't even know what a pager is. It's all about the cell phones and who has the best one with the coolest technology. It'll get like that at your school, too. Before, it was who had the best brand jeans and shirts and stuff, now it'll be who has the best car and house.

I agree which is why I am not a fan of uniforms they do nothing to stop what they were intended to stop..all it does it make getting dressed in the morning easier and that is it!!!

op I don;t know what to tell you I've never had to deal with that ...

 

[jazzielady]

I would love it! I am so sick of hearing about Abercrombie and the like. Thank god for Plato's closet, or my kids would be total nerds when it comes to clothes.

I was in favor of it as a teacher, and as a parent I would go for it in half a millisecond.

Sorry it came out of the blue for you, but I'm sure the admin. knew there would be resistance.

As as teacher, from time to time, I would ask the kids about their opinions of as dress codes such as you describe. The main objection was that "it would inhibit their creativity." I kid you not. I said you have the rest of the day and all weekend to express your creativity. Then I would ask how many of them plan to be doctors, nurses, police officers, etc. I asked then if those persons are allowed to wear whatever they want. I then pointed out that regardless of their goals in life, there are very few professions which allow you to dress as you want, even blue collar jobs (which there's nothing wrong with).

 

[RadioNate]

I think people are mostly upset because there was no consultation. Yesterday (the start of state testing no less) we got a note outlining the uniforms. That's it.

Some of the other complaints I've heard is that it is too strict. They are limited to one color (+white) and dress pants. A lot of people here have already bought the summer wardrobe. It's FL and they start needed that stuff now and it usually lasts until next fall/winter when we buy new jeans and long sleeved shirts.

I don't think my DS currently has anything that would comply. He has plenty of polos and other collared shirts but none that are absolutely plain. Many have stripes or more than one color.

If my child attends this school next year (which is actually unlikely for other reasons) I will have to buy an all new school wardrobe and will have wasted a lot on clothes he can now only wear on the weekends. In the long run, I'm sure it is cheaper but in the short run, it is an added expense.

Maybe because I have a boy but we don't have any guess work or fights in the morning about clothes. Most everything my son owns is appropriate for school. The stuff that isn't appropriate is obvious.

ETA -and again this might be a boy thing but I hear NO talk about brands etc. Even the little girl across the street doesn't talk about who wears what and she is absolutely the 'keeping up with the Jones" type. She's in 5th grade.

I think brands and that sort of competition is more in middle/high school here. They are not implementing uniforms in the middle school. This is an elementary that ends in 5th grade and the only one (out of 6) in our town that is going to uniforms.

I went to Catholic school and we did not have uniforms, just a strict dress code but that was more liberal than this one.

 

[griswalds]

Our public school went to this 3 years ago but only for grades 3rd-5th (they are in a seperate school anyway), initially there was controversy and parents up in the air but over time everyone seems to like it. We are the same red/blue/white polo and khakis, which you are permited to buy anywhere. I get mine at Walmart and Target and it makes back to school shopping easier and much cheaper. The only enforcement needed so far is to remind the kids to tuck their shirts in and there are extra belts in the office if someone forgets. I'd say give it a shot, it's actually better than you think. I remember feeling like you do at the beginning but I came around pretty quickly and now really like it.

 

[luvsJack]

Our kids can wear kahki or black pants with white, gold or black polo shirts. They must wear a belt and white or black socks. I love it. No more worries on Monday morning about whether that favorite pair of jeans got washed. And no more worries about whether her jeans came from the "right" store or have the "right" label on them. Although the kids have found other ways to appear rich but its still not as bad as it was.

And it really has saved us money. I didn't think it would (I thought I would be buying two sets of clothes), but the uniforms are cheaper and I only have to buy a couple pair of jeans and t-shirts for the weekends.

My only issue is that we have one teacher that does a "sock check" each morning. She literally has them hold up their pants to check their socks and make sure there are no other colors on their feet. Dd had on a pair with a small pink stripe at the top and was told if she wore them again she would be written up. Personally, I think the teacher may be a bit obsessive about socks but we just went and bought a bunch of all white socks.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Our school didn't have uniforms but I sincerely wish they had.

 

[ckay87]

How the heck is it a God-send to have to buy a special wardrobe for your kid to go to school?

Maybe because I have boys, but I don't see it being convenient in any way, shape, or form. Just one more huge expense and one more laundry hassle for me (oh my tomorrow is Monday and I didn't wash the dang khakies). I'd be WAY annoyed.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Our kids had them through 8th grade. Khaki or navy pants/skirts, white or light blue polo shirts. As a parent, I thought it was the best thing ever. 5 of this, 5 of that, we were done with shopping for school clothes.

 

[okeydokey]

I would love this in our schools.

 

[ilovejack02]

How the heck is it a God-send to have to buy a special wardrobe for your kid to go to school?

Maybe because I have boys, but I don't see it being convenient in any way, shape, or form. Just one more huge expense and one more laundry hassle for me (oh my tomorrow is Monday and I didn't wash the dang khakies). I'd be WAY annoyed.

It is not a huge expense, trust me. i can get away with a whole years worth of school clothes for less than 150.00 from Land's end and as far as laundry.. you just throw it in with everything else, They arent really wearing anything else, unless you make them change the second they get home and on weekends.

 

[mrsmom]

Just our high school did this a last year, and i mostly love this ,there has been one exception, my dd wore a red undershirt under her blue polo because she wasn't feeling good and was cold and it showed a tiny bit and she was sent to the office,which made me mad.they have to wear their school colors polos which is blue, yellow, white.

 

[harleyquinn]

I guess I'll be the dissenter.
The way a person dresses is an outlet for their personality. Uniforms kill that and cause children to express themselves and act out in other ways. This can be particularly difficult in lower income districts.

It sure is easier to shop for though. I do see the appeal there for parents.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

How the heck is it a God-send to have to buy a special wardrobe for your kid to go to school?

Maybe because I have boys, but I don't see it being convenient in any way, shape, or form. Just one more huge expense and one more laundry hassle for me (oh my tomorrow is Monday and I didn't wash the dang khakies). I'd be WAY annoyed.

AMEN! Like I need more laundry stress! I used to think that I would like uniforms but now no way. My kids dress nice and I have no issues in the morning. I also have boys and girls. I remember being a kid and even as an adult some days I just want a nice pair of fleecey soft pants with elastic waist to wear. I also am not a shirt tucked in gal so that would be so annoying to me and would make me self conscious. I like letting my kids pick what they like to wear. I don't need the school to dictate my wardrobe.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

It is not a huge expense, trust me. i can get away with a whole years worth of school clothes for less than 150.00 from Land's end and as far as laundry.. you just throw it in with everything else, They aren't really wearing anything else, unless you make them change the second they get home and on weekends.

I go even cheaper than that. This site has khakis for $8.50, shorts for $7, and polos for $4.50. *****See correct link below*** I use them every time, and Walmart in a pinch is a little bit more. Good quality, we have handed them down to DS10 and they are still in good shape. Yes, throw them all in the laundry together, and if you don't like a lot of laundry, buy a week's worth-that's what I do.

We go to a magnet school and have all income levels. We don't have any gang issues in our particular school. My boys have worn uniforms at elementary school for 4-1/2 years and have NO clue as to what is a label or cool designer. I even push Nikes on them because I am familiar with the quality..otherwise it could be Walmart shoes, too.

Our requirements are:Khaki bottoms, white or navy polo tucked in, (these colors carry over into middle school, too.), blue or white button down, or school color plaids for girls. The only thing that could be noticed as being "designer expensive" is the plaid items from Land's End. Black or brown belt and closed toed shoes. It is enforced with going to the nurse's office to get what is missing, or if it becomes a problem a parent can be called to come and get the kiddo. I don't think that has happened.

I do agree that it would be nice if they waited until the new school year, since people have bought school clothes for the year already. But they can wear them again in the next school year. It is so much easier on me.

Believe me, this is not something to fight over..even on principle. I love uniforms and no discussion on what to wear in the morning.


ETA: sorry that link was not the one I meant to use.... try this one! http://www.thechildrenswearoutlet.com/shop/index.php?target=categories&category_id=191

 

[southtexasmom]

My kids have worn uniforms for the last 6 years, our entire school district wears uniforms except high school but the high school has a very strict dress code. Our uniforms have changed a little over the years, in the beginning it was only 3 different colors of polos and navy or khaki pants or shorts, now its relaxed to any type of school spirit shirt and navy, khaki or denim bottoms. At first I hated the uniforms, now its not so bad, no fights about what to wear in the mornings.

I spend way less money on the uniforms than I ever did on regular school clothes.