Strict Dress Codes: Does your public school have one and thoughts?

[ameraumi]

My guess is because it was causing a "disruption" in the halls with the other kids laughing and talking about it. I personally thought it was a great idea. I told DS earlier last week a group of boys should do it since all it stated in the dress/skirt section was the length.

 

[aprilgail2]

Let me ask you soemthing...how may times can they suspend a child? I mean they are hurting the kids education, do they give them work home? Is there a point where they expell them for breaking the rulse?

We have some many more important issues with bullying and drugs..that for the schools to make this an issue, just kinda boggles my mind.

Well that is the funny thing- for every kid that gets suspended here they have to send a home tutor to the childs home so they have to pay them overtime to do that. My friends son used to get suspended on purpose just so he wouldn't have to get up early and go to school- they would send a home teacher over after the school day was up and he was very happy with that. Eventually they just let him go take whatever classes he needed at night and he graduated that way. He just wasn't a morning person--now he works at night!
Another neighbor was expelled for 5 months of the school year and every year a teacher making overtime would come to his house to teach him after school....it costs the taxpayers more money everytime a kid is suspended!!!

 

[ameraumi]

Wow...doesn't it make you wonder if it is just a control issue from those we put into office?? In my town we vote for the school board, I am sure it is different everywhere else. I can't see something like that passed where I live.

I have to say..I did like the no flannel bottoms...when I see it at my DD middle school I just shake my head and go, why did their parents let them wear that...or were they even home when the kid left for school!!

Let me ask you soemthing...how may times can they suspend a child? I mean they are hurting the kids education, do they give them work home? Is there a point where they expell them for breaking the rulse?

We have some many more important issues with bullying and drugs..that for the schools to make this an issue, just kinda boggles my mind.

I agree with you. I am trying to find out the suspension/expulsion issue. I did not find anything in the handbook that states it.

Just for kicks I am adding the link to our newspaper's site with the video that has the boys in it: http://www.pal-item.com/article/20090822/NEWS01/908220302/1034/EDUCATION/Protests-dwindling

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I wore a uniform for many years that included said "plaid school girl skirt and sweater." Let me tell you, it wasn't exactly flattering or self-esteem enhancing.

Me too!

But there was no thought of a fashion show at school. School & academics came first. It was easier for both parent & child.
It's a great starting point that kids all "look" the same & are part of the same school.

I like I said earlier kids have enough time to be individuals after school.

I'm in NJ the last few years & rumor has it some counties are trying push for uniforms. I would vote yes in a second.
I'm sure this isn't the only state but some of the girls look like they should be standing on a street corner & not going into school.

 

[MM27]

Me too!

But there was no thought of a fashion show at school. School & academics came first. It was easier for both parent & child.
It's a great starting point that kids all "look" the same & are part of the same school.

I like I said earlier kids have enough time to be individuals after school.

I'm in NJ the last few years & rumor has it some counties are trying push for uniforms. I would vote yes in a second.
I'm sure this isn't the only state but some of the girls look like they should be standing on a street corner & not going into school.

It's not a county decision though. Each district would have to vote for uniforms. The district I work in and the district where I live both have them now. The kids complained a lot the first year but they don't even mention it now as they are just a part of coming to school. My district requires uniforms for prek-8th grade. They have been talking about adding the high school, but nothing has happened yet. You're right about the street corner look. I drive by the high school on my way to work and some of those girls look like they are going out clubbing instead of going to school. And the boys wear the white t-shirts down to their knees and their pants falling off.

That is insane--- who in the world tucks shirts in anyway- I think I can count maybe 2 people I know that would walk around with a shirt tucked into their pants- and one we are always trying to get to untuck because it looks downright silly!

They have to tuck them in in my school too, if they are wearing the button down dress shirt. It looks neater.

 

[ameraumi]

Thanks for all of the comments!

Tonight is the school board meeting and it is sure to be a heated one. I know 20 parents have already called to be put on the list to speak.

 

[xPrincessSmilesx]

And also it's a safety measure - we KNOW who our students are. Anyone on campus not in uniform is automatically under question. It's much easier on school visits also.

We use uniform also as an opportunity to raise funds for charity. Three times a year at my school the students have the opportunity to donate $2 to charity and wear non-uniform for a day. That means that we donate $6,000 to charity every year.

Never hear any complaints from parents about uniform as it works out much cheaper than regular clothing for them.

^ Yes good point about the non-uniform days, my old school used to do one or two per term/12 weeks each time the money going to a different chariy. Over the year all adds up.

You can normally tell a good school by how the students wear their uniforms. My school strictly enforced the uniform rule, occasionally down to sock colour Yet that discipline transplants into all other aspects of the school, noise in class was not tolerated, talking back to teachers wasn't, homework HAD to be in time.
Compare that another local school, where skirts were worn as belts, shirts not tucked in and ties an inch long with a fat knot. The school was rubbish kids ran riot throughout, they had very poor results and were put in 'special measures' (i.e last chance improve or we close you). This is just one comparison, but I've seen it happen in many other schools. Schools that disciplined the dress code, disciplined well in all educational matters.

I don't know how well this translates into a non-uniform situation. But I'd imagine schools willing to put in and strictly enforce a strong dress code, will also be hot on discipline, behavior etc -making them a better school all round. Just a thought

 

[aprilgail2]

Thanks for all of the comments!

Tonight is the school board meeting and it is sure to be a heated one. I know 20 parents have already called to be put on the list to speak.

How did that go?

AOL up on this on their front page news----
Parents, Students Protest School Fashion Police
by Tom Henderson (Subscribe to Tom Henderson's posts)
Aug 26th 2009 1:10PM

Categories: Teens & tweens, In the news, Weird but true, Education

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School district's dress code prohibits -- stripes? Credit: Getty Images
Plaids are out this fall at Richmond High School in Indiana.

All the way out.

If you are caught wearing plaids (or stripes or floral prints or anything with a logo on it), you risk getting suspended.


That's the new dress code.

At least 169 students have already been suspended for crimes against fashion, according to the local newspaper, the Palladium-Item. That has some people in this Indiana town of 40,000 off Interstate 70 near the Ohio border seeing a vibrant shade of fuchsia.


About 150 parents and students protested outside the school last Thursday, two days after school began for this year, claiming that the revised dress code passed by the Richmond School Board in May goes too far and is enforced too harshly. Most of the suspensions came about on Wednesday and Thursday.


"The dress code doesn't say anything about students in violation if you can see their collarbone, but students are getting suspended because of it," parent Brian Thompson told the Palladium-Item.

The dress code is on the school board agenda tonight. "I am looking forward to the public debate," board member David Stidham told the newspaper. "I think the more we have the better.

Despite the suspensions and protest on Thursday, school Superintendent Allen Bourff told the newspaper the school day proceeded normally, with most students in their classrooms.

Student Tomi McNew was one of those suspended because he came to school wearing shorts bearing a logo. Another student, Karlee Cochran, was suspended for wearing a low-cut, solid-colored white T-shirt. That was fine. But the tank top underneath didn't pass muster.


"It was kind of exciting," she told the Palladium-Item about the protest that lasted four hours. "Nothing ever happens in this town, and this was big excitement."

An online petition has gathered more than 1,300 signatures protesting the dress code. The same site includes a petition for school uniforms. It has gained fewer than a 100 signatures.

What do you think of school dress codes?

Do you think this dress code is too strict?
Yes. The school is really missing the point of having a dress code. 59%
No. Not at all - kids need specific guidance about what's appropriate attire for school. 28%
Maybe. But clothes can be a real distraction in the classroom. 13%

 

[java]

No plaid?? My daughter would be in trouble. Half of what she bought is plaid.

 

[TwinsinCA]

How did that go?

I'm wondering about this too.

 

[ameraumi]

Yeah, can I run and hide? Aol and fark.com have picked up on this now.

I went to the board meeting and it was a mess. People were waiting outside the office waiting to get in. I knew they had set up the HS cafeteria for the meeting but they had to officially start the meeting in the board room.

Basically the dress code part was only parents talking and the board taking notes. At one point I thought I was at a campaign rally with all of the clapping and cheering over comments that were liked. I couldn't believe the way some were acting and I decided after 1.5 hrs I had had enough and left. A few comments made were good and made very valid points that should be discussed further. The Superintendent will be meeting with PTO members next week and I will be attending with out PTO President.

Today Dr. Bourff issued this on the RCS website: http://www.rcs.k12.in.us/news/2009/pdf/Discussion_Notes_and_Questions_on_Student_Code_of_Attire.pdf.