Public School Dress Codes - uniforms

[cheermom1]

DH is a teacher and this is a hot button issue for him, so I'll get him to come on and give you all more information.

I should have been more clear. It's not that uniforms actually cause more problems that can be quantified. It's that they don't do anything to solve real problems. I think the main problem with this is that it is usually portrayed that uniforms help solve problems: increase test scores, decrease punishments, etc and its not the case.

I just feel that a school shouldn't dictate what a kid is allowed to wear when there is no clear, good research that shows it has a positive effect.

Research Article Response


Book

Exactly why do we need uniforms if they are not solving the problem they were intended on solving...so why the debate? if uniforms are NOT working to solve the problems why are we still trying to make our kids wear them? sorry it just doesn;t make sense to me?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I would have LOVED school uniforms at my kids' public schools. No such luck. Youngest is a HS junior now. Oh well.

 

[klj27]

I have never thought of uniforms as a way to curb gangs or cliques. I think uniforms are a way to bolster school pride and create a sense of belonging, pride and spirit.

The biggest issue I have with the op's dilemma is that people think that students/parents should have a vote in the uniform debate. How many bosses let their employees take a vote on issues such as this? Maybe I have these thoughts because my husband is a school administrator and I am looking from a different angle.

 

[ilovejack02]

Exactly why do we need uniforms if they are not solving the problem they were intended on solving...so why the debate? if uniforms are NOT working to solve the problems why are we still trying to make our kids wear them? sorry it just doesn;t make sense to me?

I don't think our schools switched to solve problems, but just to make life easier for all.
Teachers and staff aren't having to monitor all different types clothing for violations that can come up with wearing regular street clothes and for me, I shop once and quick and cheap.

It is just not that big of a deal, so many other things to worry about with the kids and wearing uniforms is the least of my worries.

There are rules and uniforms in all different types of jobs, and for my kid school is there job, so if wearing a uniform is part of it then so be it.

My "special little snowflake' ; ) wont be harmed by wearing them and neither will anybody elses. Kids make a big deal out of it because the parents do.

 

[Jennasis]

I like the notion someone said about school being a student's job. Excellent way to think of it. And I also like the pp's notion that uniforms foster a sense of unity/school pride. Everyone on a team wears the same uniform. Why not the school?

 

[ilovejack02]

I have never thought of uniforms as a way to curb gangs or cliques. I think uniforms are a way to bolster school pride and create a sense of belonging, pride and spirit.

The biggest issue I have with the op's dilemma is that people think that students/parents should have a vote in the uniform debate. How many bosses let their employees take a vote on issues such as this? Maybe I have these thoughts because my husband is a school administrator and I am looking from a different angle.

:

 

[TwinsinCA]

I would be beyond ticked if our school pulled that. I understand dress codes but think uniforms are silly. This is not a private school. I went to a private school and had to wear a uniform until high school. I absolutely hated everything about them. They were ugly, uncomfortable, embarrassing, and I do not want my kids wearing them.

My kids are also identical twins. They do not leave the house dressed alike. Ever. I would not want them forced to wear the same thing as each other every day. Or even if they had a few color options, that would really limit what they could wear and not look alike.

Good for the PTA members who resigned over this. And shame on the people who acted like little dictators and made this rule without any discussion.

 

[turkeymama]

I don't think our schools switched to solve problems, but just to make life easier for all.
Teachers and staff aren't having to monitor all different types clothing for violations that can come up with wearing regular street clothes and for me, I shop once and quick and cheap.

It is just not that big of a deal, so many other things to worry about with the kids and wearing uniforms is the least of my worries.

There are rules and uniforms in all different types of jobs, and for my kid school is there job, so if wearing a uniform is part of it then so be it.

My "special little snowflake' ; ) wont be harmed by wearing them and neither will anybody elses. Kids make a big deal out of it because the parents do.

Boy, they sure are spending a lot of time doing that here. Because the kids aren't supposed to wear cargos, can only wear a certain color belt, certain colors of hair accessories and socks, the teachers are spending a lot of time making phone calls and writing up students. We have such a strict uniform policy, but there are lots of daily violations. I'm careful to make sure my kids are within the guidelines so my daughter has only been called out once, and that was because she forgot her belt.

 

[harleyquinn]

I have never thought of uniforms as a way to curb gangs or cliques. I think uniforms are a way to bolster school pride and create a sense of belonging, pride and spirit.

The biggest issue I have with the op's dilemma is that people think that students/parents should have a vote in the uniform debate. How many bosses let their employees take a vote on issues such as this? Maybe I have these thoughts because my husband is a school administrator and I am looking from a different angle.

There are other ways of bolstering school pride that don't take away one of the few non-destructive ways children have a chance to show their personality.

A school administrator is not my child's or my boss. They are not paying us. If I decide something is okay for my family that does not harm anyone else, why should I be forced to conform? I would totally agree with wearing uniforms if it actually made a positive difference and made teaching or learning easier.

As much as I often think that our school's should try and have a more real world work preparation bent, I don't see the correlation here. Let them have to wear uniforms when they get their first jobs at Best Buy or McDonalds.

 

[RadioNate]

I have never thought of uniforms as a way to curb gangs or cliques. I think uniforms are a way to bolster school pride and create a sense of belonging, pride and spirit.

The biggest issue I have with the op's dilemma is that people think that students/parents should have a vote in the uniform debate. How many bosses let their employees take a vote on issues such as this? Maybe I have these thoughts because my husband is a school administrator and I am looking from a different angle.

See I actually have a bigger issue with the school pride/sense of belonging argument. Making kids borg-like doesn't do it for me, at all!

But the thing is school administrators AREN'T my boss. This is a public school, funded by tax payer dollars, governed by elected officials. As a taxpayer and voter in the county I could easily construe it that I'm their boss.

And in no place that I've ever worked did they dictate what color, etc you could wear unless THEY provided the uniforms. In the places that had strict uniforms, those uniforms were provided by the employer. In every other professional situation I don't ever remember having strict dress codes where they told you that you could only wear a specific color. Sure 'professional dress' may be required but I could wear a purple shirt with a grey skirt if I wanted.

 

[harleyquinn]

Boy, they sure are spending a lot of time doing that here. Because the kids aren't supposed to wear cargos, can only wear a certain color belt, certain colors of hair accessories and socks, the teachers are spending a lot of time making phone calls and writing up students. We have such a strict uniform policy, but there are lots of daily violations. I'm careful to make sure my kids are within the guidelines so my daughter has only been called out once, and that was because she forgot her belt.

Totally true in DH's school too.

 

[Magic Mom]

There are other ways of bolstering school pride that don't take away one of the few non-destructive ways children have a chance to show their personality.

A school administrator is not my child's or my boss. They are not paying us. If I decide something is okay for my family that does not harm anyone else, why should I be forced to conform?

School is all about conforming. Sit here, stand there, line up, pair off, write this, read that.

 

[harleyquinn]

School is all about conforming. Sit here, stand there, line up, pair off, write this, read that.

And your point is?? We should encourage that and make them do it for every single thing? They should all be identical little robots? Why shouldn't we encourage a little individuality when given a chance that doesn't hurt anyone else?

 

[Jennasis]

See I actually have a bigger issue with the school pride/sense of belonging argument. Making kids borg-like doesn't do it for me, at all!

But the thing is school administrators AREN'T my boss. This is a public school, funded by tax payer dollars, governed by elected officials. As a taxpayer and voter in the county I could easily construe it that I'm their boss.

And in no place that I've ever worked did they dictate what color, etc you could wear unless THEY provided the uniforms. In the places that had strict uniforms, those uniforms were provided by the employer. In every other professional situation I don't ever remember having strict dress codes where they told you that you could only wear a specific color. Sure 'professional dress' may be required but I could wear a purple shirt with a grey skirt if I wanted.

I can name several places right off the top of my head where they dictate the color of pant/shirt as well as the style without providing said clothing.

 

[ilovejack02]

I can name several places right off the top of my head where they dictate the color of pant/shirt as well as the style without providing said clothing.

I can too in fact worked at a couple.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I don't get how kids all of a sudden don't know what labels are what just because they have a uniform.
Ralph Lauren is still RL whether it is a polo shirt or not. Banana Republic pants are stil BR even if they are in uniform color. Kids know this. They know the difference in the Route 66 au couture line () and the better designers if that is something that is important to them. Uniforms to me would not be any cheaper. It would just limit the colors and styles that I could buy.

Today is picture day and DS10 could wear a different shirt from his uniform. I had some RL polos in the closet that I bought on sale long, long ago. I showed them to him and he said, NO HORSES!! So yeah, since he has lived almost all of his school life in a uniform, he has no clue. His friends go to the same school, so they don't influence him either.

How would uniforms NOT be cheaper than designer? I am having a hard time seeing how a $5 uniform polo isn't cheaper than a $30 RL polo. NO labels of any kind can show. I had a pair of Tommy Hilfiger pants that worked with the dress code if I removed the little flag from the back. Which I did. There's no point to a uniform code if labels are allowed to show.

I guess aside from being glad about uniforms is that I am glad that labels are not important to my kids.

 

[Pigeon]

I would fight it tooth and nail.

If you refuse to comply, what can they really do? They have an obligation to provide children an education in the least restrictive environment. If I refuse to allow my child to wear a uniform to school, are they going to expel her, A student that she is? If they do that, are they going to provide a tutor to come to our home?

 

[Magic Mom]

And your point is?? We should encourage that and make them do it for every single thing? They should all be identical little robots? Why shouldn't we encourage a little individuality when given a chance that doesn't hurt anyone else?

My point is if you are against conforming, then a school setting probably isn't the best for your child.
Good teachers encourage individuality in their classroom lessons. They don't need to encourage it through clothing. In fact if I think back to the best teachers I had, I can't remember any of them encouraging me to express my individuality through my clothing. A child has problems if the only way they can express themselves is through the clothes they wear. My daughter loves to wear funky clothes, but if tomorrow she couldn't, she would be fine. The argument that uniforms make children mindless robots is ridiculous.

 

[klj27]

My point is if you are against conforming, then a school setting probably isn't the best for your child.
Good teachers encourage individuality in their classroom lessons. They don't need to encourage it through clothing. In fact if I think back to the best teachers I had, I can't remember any of them encouraging me to express my individuality through my clothing. A child has problems if the only way they can express themselves is through the clothes they wear. My daughter loves to wear funky clothes, but if tomorrow she couldn't, she would be fine. The argument that uniforms make children mindless robots is ridiculous.

 

[harleyquinn]

My point is if you are against conforming, then a school setting probably isn't the best for your child.
Good teachers encourage individuality in their classroom lessons. They don't need to encourage it through clothing. In fact if I think back to the best teachers I had, I can't remember any of them encouraging me to express my individuality through my clothing. A child has problems if the only way they can express themselves is through the clothes they wear. My daughter loves to wear funky clothes, but if tomorrow she couldn't, she would be fine. The argument that uniforms make children mindless robots is ridiculous.

I am all for conforming if it helps them learn. Being taught early to line up, pair up, sit here...all that helps teach them. Making them wear the same clothes doesn't.

I would lmao if a teacher encourged individuality through clothing. A teacher doesn't have to encourage that. It just happens. Thats the beauty of it.

I never said clothing was the ONLY way to express individuality. I'm saying it is one safe, classroom friendly way and should therefore be available.

The robot comment stemmed from you stating that school is all about conforming. I wasn't saying that clothing choice by itself creates robots, so I guess I'm not ridiculous.