School Uniforms: Your Viewpoint

[Deb in IA]

I would LOVE to have uniforms for our kids' private Catholic school, instead of this ridiculously picky dress code they have to follow:

Shirts
-Shirts of any color or pattern (stripes, floral, plaid, etc.) are allowed.
-Shirts with appropriate logos that are not larger than a 50 cent coin are allowed.
-Shirts with collars and an appropriate school logo will be acceptable.
-All shirts must have sleeves.
-Necklines are to be modest.
-Shirts are to be tucked in at all times unless the shirt, when fully extended, falls
above the hip pocket.
-Shirts are to be long enough that when the student raises their arms over their
head the shirt does not reveal any skin on the stomach.
-Tunic style shirts are allowed and may be worn untucked. Regular shirts, worn
untucked, are not considered tunics.
-Any shirt deemed inappropriate (see through, too short, plunging neckline, etc.)
by any teacher or administrator must be changed immediately.

Sweaters, Fleece, Sweatshirts-Sweaters, fleece, and sweatshirts may be worn as long as they are free of all logos
or writing and do not have hoods.

Pants-Dress pants are allowed in any color.
-Pants will not be allowed if they are tattered or frayed.
-Bib overalls, jeans, warm up/sweat pants, and leather/plastic pants are not allowed.

Shorts/Skirts/Dresses/Jumpers
-Dress shorts may be worn all year.
-Denim is not permitted.-Apparel which is tattered or frayed is not permitted. 15
-Apparel must meet the following requirements:
1. They must be long enough that the bottom hem is more than half way
down the length of the thigh.
2. Slits on the apparel must meet the same length requirement and may not
extend any farther up than exactly half way up the thigh.
-Dresses must have sleeves.

Footwear
-Footwear must be worn at all times.
-Dress sandals may be worn all year.
-Please keep in mind that foot protection from injury or disease is the students
responsibility.

Head Wear-Head wear is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to: hats, caps,
bandanas and hoods.

Jewelry/Tattoos-Students may wear jewelry as long as it is appropriate for school wear.
-Earrings are allowed in the ears only. Body piercing, beyond the ears, is not
allowed. These must be removed or covered at all times.
-Tattoos must be kept covered at all times.

Back Packs / Book Bags are not to be carried between classes.

In all matters of dress code, the teachers and administrators have the final decision as to whether
clothing is appropriate.

Authorized school shirt order forms may be found in the Back to School
packet and in the office. These shirts may be worn at any time.


Consequences for Dress Code Violations:
It is not unreasonable to expect students to follow the dress code. Violations of the code
will be considered a willful disregard for the standards. The following consequences will
be administered for students found to be in violation of the dress code:
1st Offense:
30 Minute Detention. Student is required to correct the violation before proceeding to the
next class period. This may necessitate calling a parent to have appropriate
clothing
brought to the school.
2nd Offense:
Shall be dealt with on a case by case basis but will minimally include: 1 hour detention,
suspension from participation in and attendance at any / all extracurricular activities.
May also include in or out of school suspension. In extreme cases - expulsion. Student
is required to correct the violation before proceeding to the next class period. This
may necessitate calling a parent to have appropriate clothing brought to the school.



And yes, this dress code is strictly enforced.

 

[Crankyshank]

That's a little disingenuous. Not everyone can homeschool or pick up and move.

The argument itself is pretty disingenuous imho. How many public schools in reality institute a strict uniform and the town and parents just roll over and accept it? The public schools in my area had a hard enough time getting a light dress code enforced. A uniform is a whole different animal.

If it happens that there is only one dissenter in a pro uniform town, then what are you really going to do? Do you expect the school to say "Ok Suzy Q doesn't have to wear a uniform because Mr & Mrs Q don't agree"? Or "Everyone but Mr and Mrs Q are ok with uniforms but we're not going to pass the measure because Mr and Mrs Q disagree" That's not going to happen, so your options are to: homeschool, move, send suzy to a private or charter school that doesn't require such a strict uniform, if you were in my area you could go also to a Voc school, or you can demand the school board allow your child to attend another school.

 

[goodstarr]

I love school uniforms.

You want your child to have individuality in the school setting - then homeschool.

I wish that school would get back to what it was intended to be - a place of learning.

And for those that posted that their kids had different clothes for afterschool, weekends and vacations - um, why can't the kid wear the same thing for all three?

The way I see it, people are just pissed off that someone is telling them what to do with their kid. And they are upset because they, , have to tell their kid what he/she must do. Can you imagine that - parenting?

 

[Pigeon]

If it happens that there is only one dissenter in a pro uniform town, then what are you really going to do? Do you expect the school to say "Ok Suzy Q doesn't have to wear a uniform because Mr & Mrs Q don't agree"? Or "Everyone but Mr and Mrs Q are ok with uniforms but we're not going to pass the measure because Mr and Mrs Q disagree" That's not going to happen, so your options are to: homeschool, move, send suzy to a private or charter school that doesn't require such a strict uniform, if you were in my area you could go also to a Voc school, or you can demand the school board allow your child to attend another school.

Honestly, my guess is that the school wouldn't be able to enforce it on the one family. We don't have charter schools, thank God, so that's not an option in my district. Anything the school would try to do in that situation would cost it a great deal of money. If you are talking about kids that aren't ones that the school otherwise wants to get rid of, I suspect the school would just ignore it, as it wouldn't be worth it to them to pay for private tutoring, which is what they'd have to do.

 

[Kath2003]

OK my opinion....

I'm from the UK. The VAST majority of schools over here have uniforms - including most state schools. Put it this way: I've never met anyone who DIDN'T have to wear a uniform to school.

Kids go to school from 4-16 compulsory. They go to nursery for half a year before that - half days. Even nursery school children usually have to wear SOME form of uniform - usually just a school t-shirt or sweater but the children I babysit for went in full uniform to theirs.

My school uniform consisted of dark bottoms (skirt or trousers) and a polo shirt with the school emblem on (and a sweater with the emblem on if it was cold) from 4-11. Shoes had to be black or dark brown, socks had to be white or black. No jewelery was allowed except for one small pair of stud earrings and a religious necklace which had to be kept concealed under the polo shirt. Something like this:

In the summer the girls were allowed to wear school dresses and each school in town had a different "color". The younger girls HAD to wear checked and the older girls could wear striped.

When I was in secondary school, 11-16, we had to wear a shirt with a tie, a navy v-necked jumper, navy skirt of a SET design which was only sold by the suppliers, black tights in winter, skin coloured tights in summer, black socks, black shoes, black/navy coat and black/navy backpack. Since then they have changed it so the girls ALSO have to wear blazers - the boys always did.

This kind of thing:

Also categorically NO high heels (1.5" maximum), NO jewelery except one small pair of studs (in the EARS!) and a religious necklace which must be kept concealed. There was also regulations against dark-colored bras for girls since the shirts were white.

You now get a tie which is not only the school tie (navy with gold diagonal stitching) but also contains your "house" color (the year is divided up into "houses" - we had 6 per year, all named differently. There's one of each "house" in every grade and the "houses" compete against each other in things like Sports Day, House Drama Competition, House Music Competition and even things like how many commendation stickers each "house" gets. Sadly, Flaunden sucked and I can only remember winning one thing in the entire 7 years I was there!).

You can stay on at school for A Levels which are extra qualifications from 16-18. Most schools don't require a uniform at this point. Mine, however, did. Business dress. Suits with ties for men, smart business wear for girls.

Whilst I moaned about it at the time, uniforms are a life saver.
You don't have to worry about what you're wearing every day - same stuff. You don't have any competitiveness about not having the coolest jeans or dressing badly - everyone looks the same.
You instantly "belong" in the school.
Whilst uniform is quite expensive, it's probably cheaper than constantly supplying your child with new clothes as fashions change. Most schools provide a second-hand shop and no one will ever know that it's not new because it never changes fashions etc.
When you have your uniform on, THAT'S school-time. When you don't have it on, it's play-time. It makes an obvious distinction between work time and leisure time.
It makes it harder to play hooky. You don't want to wander about town in your school uniform all day - plus everyone knows where you *should* be.

I'm heavily in favor of school uniforms. I don't really see what the arguments are against them.

 

[Deb in IA]

I totally agree, Kath2003. I would love the idea of knowing exactly what you have to wear every day to school.

Again, I feel the dress code that our kids school - and yes, it is a private school - is way too restrictive. Trying to find clothes that meet dress code requirements and that the kids will actually WEAR is next to impossible.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

And as for the person who said, "But I thought the 85$ pants lasted...". Yeah, they do. But I'm not going to pay 85$ on something I don't need. And I'm certainly not going to pay 85$ on something I'm only going to wear half a day.

If they are a required part of a uniform then you DO need them.

You would save money in the long run by spending a bit more on pieces that would last.

 

[Kath2003]

I totally agree, Kath2003. I would love the idea of knowing exactly what you have to wear every day to school.

Again, I feel the dress code that our kids school - and yes, it is a private school - is way too restrictive. Trying to find clothes that meet dress code requirements and that the kids will actually WEAR is next to impossible.

We had dress requirements in sixth form and it was indeed a nightmare. Of course, no child would be seen DEAD out of school in school uniform, but when everyone else is wearing something equally as ugly it doesn't matter. Look at college kids in the UK - they all leave school and for the first time they're able to wear whatever they want...so they ALL wear jeans with sneakers/flip flops and t-shirts, shop in the same places...people, especially children, like to fit in. They like to feel like the belong

My school skirt was $90. And I wore it EVERY DAY for 2 years (it was an "upper-school" skirt, but my "lower school skirt" didn't fit anymore anyway!). And then my sister wore it EVERY DAY for 2 years. And then my other sister wore it EVERY DAY. This thing got washed twice a week for six years and it survived - we gave it to the second hand shop in the end. So, how many $30 pair of jeans do you think three 14-16 year olds will get through in 6 years? Bet it costs more than $90....

 

[Ariel Mae]

If they are a required part of a uniform then you DO need them.

You would save money in the long run by spending a bit more on pieces that would last.

*sighs* No, I would not save money, because they wouldn't last but a year, no matter how much I've tried, how much I've spent, a year is the most I can get out of any type of 'acceptable' uniform.

And, no, I don't need them. "Need" is food, water, and clothing. But not expensive food, water, and clothing. "Mandate" is different than "need", and to me, expensive clothing is not a 'need', but an 'unneccessary'.

Secondly, I don't know anyone that shows up to a new school and is not aware of a uniform or dress code. And if they are, then it's the fault of the parent and student for not finding this information out beforehand.

If you're new to the school system, and you've got, say, no internet, and no connection, no way of knowing, what are you supposed to do?

That's a little disingenuous. Not everyone can homeschool or pick up and move.

I was once told, "If you don't like the school, move to another." Then I was told, "If you can't find a school that fits to your attire, move cities." *blinks* It's not that easy!

You want your child to have individuality in the school setting - then homeschool.

It's not as easy as that, folks.

You don't have to worry about what you're wearing every day - same stuff.

Depends on the uniform. Mine, you still had colors and style to choose from.

You don't have any competitiveness about not having the coolest jeans or dressing badly - everyone looks the same.

"That shirt is from the Dollar Store! Look at the frills!"

"That shirt is so ratty. What, is it from Good Will? Ew."

It still happens. Maybe it's just an American attitude.

You instantly "belong" in the school.

What if you don't want to belong to the school?

Whilst uniform is quite expensive, it's probably cheaper than constantly supplying your child with new clothes as fashions change

In my view, if you're buying your kids that many clothes with that many 'in' fashion changes...yeah, not going to comment. As I said, I will buy my kid what they want, not what everyone else wants. You don't have to buy the kid the 'in' thing, or the 'brand' name...it's as simple as, "No." If a kid doesn't understand that...again, no comment.

You don't want to wander about town in your school uniform all day - plus everyone knows where you *should* be.

There's also the argument of, "Well, with the uniform, we can't have someone intrude on the school." Wrong. Anyone can go out and buy a uniform, slip it on, and enter into the school and look like they belong.

I don't really see what the arguments are against them.

Vice versa for the arguments for them.

 

[oxfordcircus]

As I said, I will buy my kid what they want, not what everyone else wants.

You have a child?

 

[meandtheguys2]

*sighs* No, I would not save money, because they wouldn't last but a year, no matter how much I've tried, how much I've spent, a year is the most I can get out of any type of 'acceptable' uniform.

And, no, I don't need them. "Need" is food, water, and clothing. But not expensive food, water, and clothing. "Mandate" is different than "need", and to me, expensive clothing is not a 'need', but an 'unneccessary'..

Uniforms are clothing...

If you're new to the school system, and you've got, say, no internet, and no connection, no way of knowing, what are you supposed to do? .

People were able to gather information before the internet. It entailed calling, writing, or visiting.

I was once told, "If you don't like the school, move to another." Then I was told, "If you can't find a school that fits to your attire, move cities." *blinks* It's not that easy!.

Perhaps not.

It's not as easy as that, folks..

Sure it is.

Depends on the uniform. Mine, you still had colors and style to choose from..

See, you could express yourself thru color!

What if you don't want to belong to the school?".

That, of course is an entirely different issue.

In my view, if you're buying your kids that many clothes with that many 'in' fashion changes...yeah, not going to comment. As I said, I will buy my kid what they want, not what everyone else wants. You don't have to buy the kid the 'in' thing, or the 'brand' name...it's as simple as, "No." If a kid doesn't understand that...again, no comment.
.

So, you'll buy them what they want? But not brand names?

 

[Crankyshank]

People don't just show up at new schools in new cities and say here I am. You have to register. You have to send in all sorts of paperwork. I have yet to hear of a school that doesn't let new students know of any dress code. If someone is "disconnected" or doesn't feel like reading the paperwork sent to them by the school then how is it anyone but the student and parents' fault that the child is out of uniform?

In my view, if you're buying your kids that many clothes with that many 'in' fashion changes...yeah, not going to comment. As I said, I will buy my kid what they want, not what everyone else wants. You don't have to buy the kid the 'in' thing, or the 'brand' name...it's as simple as, "No." If a kid doesn't understand that...again, no comment.

You refuse to spend $10 on a shirt that is uniform friendly but still stylish and will last several years, but you're going to buy your child what they want? Kids being..well kids will want what their friends want and are wearing. That's a lot more than $10 and a lot more frequently than every year.

 

[Kath2003]

Depends on the uniform. Mine, you still had colors and style to choose from.

Then I would consider that a "dress code". A uniform is a set list of things you MUST wear.

"That shirt is from the Dollar Store! Look at the frills!"

"That shirt is so ratty. What, is it from Good Will? Ew."

It still happens. Maybe it's just an American attitude.

I guess so. That said, we had plain white shirts which variations were NOT allowed on and a set skirt/trousers and a set jumper. No one ever commented to me about my uniform, nor did I ever hear anyone else comment about anyone else's. You gotta wear the same, you can't tell where it came from.

What if you don't want to belong to the school?

Then you have deeper issues than just the uniform, and should find yourself another school. The uniform states that you are part of that community. Most children find that something to be proud of. For the few that don't, removing the uniform won't solve that problem.

There's also the argument of, "Well, with the uniform, we can't have someone intrude on the school." Wrong. Anyone can go out and buy a uniform, slip it on, and enter into the school and look like they belong.

True, but you're unlikely to have someone go to that much trouble. Plus with small children if you go on a school trip etc. you know which kids are yours!

I don't think there are many arguments against uniforms, tbh.

 

[Ariel Mae]

You have a child?

No, but if I did, and when I do...

People were able to gather information before the internet. It entailed calling, writing, or visiting.

If they had connections, and a way of getting in touch with these connections. Our information often came, and comes, through family and friends. You can't always trust your community to be there for you.

Uniforms are clothing...

But not the necessary kind. They're the more 'expensive' kind.

But that comes from me not being raised as a brand name brat. (/sarcasm)

Sure it is.

No it isn't. Homeschooling has a lot of finances to it, and if you can't afford it, what are you going to do? Send your child to public school, where it's expected, and assumed, that the expenditures aren't going to exceed a private school sectors.

See, you could express yourself thru color!

Did I mention they were dull and bland? They made us look dead. I don't express my death.

So, you'll buy them what they want? But not brand names?

If it's for them and not the 'cliques', I'll give it a thought. But if I can find something cheaper, that is what I'm going to get them. I can find the exact same clothes at Walmart as I do Stage and JcPenny's. They may not be named, or as fancy, but they're the same style and get up.

That, and I don't want schools to regulate how I raise my kid. How I raise my kid is up to me, and as long as there is no danger to him/herself/myself/people around me, quite honestly, I don't believe anyone has a say but myself and my husband. We're the parents. Not the school. We buy the clothes. Not the school. The school puts no money into this. We do.

 

[oxfordcircus]

People were able to gather information before the internet. It entailed calling, writing, or visiting.

But what if I don't have a phone, or a phonejack?

 

[oxfordcircus]

If they had connections, and a way of getting in touch with these connections. Our information often came, and comes, through family and friends. You can't always trust your community to be there for you.

Are we buying pot or registering for school?

I'm sorry, but this little bit of nonsense comes off as argument for argument's sake. I think society can expect that its members will have some capacity to gather information - something more advanced than freaking word of mouth.

 

[meandtheguys2]

No it isn't. Homeschooling has a lot of finances to it, and if you can't afford it, what are you going to do? Send your child to public school, where it's expected, and assumed, that the expenditures aren't going to exceed a private school sectors.

Ummm...you've homeschooled how many? I know families that spend $2000 for 5 kids, and I know families that spend $200 for 7.

But what if I don't have a phone, or a phonejack?

Well, they are so expensive...

 

[Ariel Mae]

Then I would consider that a "dress code". A uniform is a set list of things you MUST wear.

Ours had a list of things we could and had to wear. Just because we had a bit of options doesn't make it any less a uniform!

I guess so. That said, we had plain white shirts which variations were NOT allowed on and a set skirt/trousers and a set jumper. No one ever commented to me about my uniform, nor did I ever hear anyone else comment about anyone else's. You gotta wear the same, you can't tell where it came from.

I see it daily, here. I went through it. My clothes weren't the 'in' fashions...they weren't from 'the gap'. I didn't care, but a bully is a bully is a bully. They'll find ways to figure out what you're wearing, even if it means close examination.

Then you have deeper issues than just the uniform, and should find yourself another school.

Yes, because it's that easy to pick up and move!

Guess what?

It's not!

That option was never possible! NEVER. There were two middle schools, and because of where I lived, I could only attend one. One high school, and out of the two elementaries, only one I could attend because of my location. I couldn't just pack up my things and move. What makes anyone think that is easy? It's not!

The uniform states that you are part of that community. Most children find that something to be proud of. For the few that don't, removing the uniform won't solve that problem.

What I've found to say that I'm apart of my community is wearing what I want, b/c I'm not apart of any 'clique' or community. I'm a part of "Emily", me, myself, and I. I didn't conform to trends before uniforms, and I hated conforming with uniforms. I hated dressing like everyone else. I felt like everyone else. I didn't feel like me. There went individuality, out the window.

True, but you're unlikely to have someone go to that much trouble. Plus with small children if you go on a school trip etc. you know which kids are yours!

Again, personal experience. They put on a uniform and slipped into school. Code Red. (Or Blue, don't remember).

School trips were never a problem before the uniforms, here. We were always able to keep track of the kids. Really, if you have that much trouble distinguishing your kids from a group on vacation...nevermind. No comment.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

But what if I don't have a phone, or a phonejack?

Or that cat in your avatar could always bite your fingers to nubs, then a phone is useless too.

 

[Laura]

Well, I went to Catholic school for a while and wore a uniform. It sucked, and yes, you could tell the rich kids from the not-so-rich (shoes, jewelry, haircuts, coats, etc). At first, I liked the idea (I was in 3rd grade when I started) but it really got to be a drag after a while. I'm not vehemently opposed to them if they're more sane uniforms like khakis and a school t-shirt or something like that, but in my experience I don't think they are particularly conducive to academic achievement. I think some parents like them because it's easier to deal with than saying no to the midriff-baring shirt.