WWYD? School Dress code update #63

[HelenePA]

Okay I was seriously up most of the night worried about this... We have a VERY VERY strict dress code that went into affect (or effect? lack of sleep) this year.

My son has gym today they are allowed to wear their gym clothes to school (he's in K) The dress code is this plain colored clothes with no logo at all on them or no pockets.. well I wasn't able to find shorts plain colored with no pockets, no logos on them I did find starter shorts with a star on them the same color of the shorts. he wore them for 3 wks now with no problem.. well at open house someone said they were cracking down on those shorts and were giving out detention for wearing them..

Last week the weather was cooler so I was just going have him wear sweatpants (which are allowed) but its going to be near 90 today and he is in a gym class room with 130 other kids (seperated by "walls") and it gets to be over 100 in there I told dh to stop and get new shorts last night for him at walmart.. well he came home with cargo shorts aaarrrrgggg pockets!

I sent him in the illegal shorts today.. I packed another set of "uniform clothes" for just in case... what would you have done? sent him in "illegal" shorts, sweatpants or a uniform? they DO get docket for not dressing. Yes we are talking about 5 yr olds in kindergarten...

 

[mhsjax]

Okay I was seriously up most of the night worried about this... We have a VERY VERY strict dress code that went into affect (or effect? lack of sleep) this year.

My son has gym today they are allowed to wear their gym clothes to school (he's in K) The dress code is this plain colored clothes with no logo at all on them or no pockets.. well I wasn't able to find shorts plain colored with no pockets, no logos on them I did find starter shorts with a star on them the same color of the shorts. he wore them for 3 wks now with no problem.. well at open house someone said they were cracking down on those shorts and were giving out detention for wearing them..

Last week the weather was cooler so I was just going have him wear sweatpants (which are allowed) but its going to be near 90 today and he is in a gym class room with 130 other kids (seperated by "walls") and it gets to be over 100 in there I told dh to stop and get new shorts last night for him at walmart.. well he came home with cargo shorts aaarrrrgggg pockets!

I sent him in the illegal shorts today.. I packed another set of "uniform clothes" for just in case... what would you have done? sent him in "illegal" shorts, sweatpants or a uniform? they DO get docket for not dressing. Yes we are talking about 5 yr olds in kindergarten...

Wow, I am not going to be much help. I am all for dress codes but that is plain crazy. My kids wear cargo shorts all the time. If I had this strict of a dress code I would be making a huge stick about it. Is this private school?

If someone gave my kid detention for a star on his shorts they would have me to deal with. I am a rule follower but there has to be some common sense here and apparently these people are lacking it. Sorry, rant over.

 

[Rora]

No way would I have sent him in sweatpants on such a hot day.

I think you did the right thing. If worse comes to worse, he can change into his uniform!

What an annoying dress code policy!

 

[marcyinPA]

Is this public school??? That is INSANE!! I don't think our district could EVER enforce something so strict...especially since we have a lot of inner city schools.

Honestly, I'd buy him the basketball type shorts they sell at Target (the silky ones...sometimes with stripes on the sides), and some plain t-shirts (they sell them at Target too, for cheap)...and I'd be writing a note to the gym teacher stating that this is what your son will be wearing, it's what you can afford, and if it's not acceptable, they need to call you. (and then, if it IS public school, and if they give you a hard time, I'd be contacting an attorney).

Really, schools need to be more focused on what kids are learning, and not wearing. I understand dress codes, but IMHO, this is over the top.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

That sounds crazy. When my DDs went to private school the dress code was much more relaxed.

Have you asked any other parents where they may have found shorts that don't break the rules? If they are having a hard time, ask the schools where to purchase them. If they want such strict rules, they should be able to provide you a list where the items can be purchased.

 

[GJM]

Wow - that is crazy.

I would have a hard time finding my DS any clothes if I had to follow that rule. The only shorts my DS wears are cargo shorts, because I need the tabs to pull them tight because he is skinny & tall!

 

[ameraumi]

You missed my posts last year on this same topic! The PUBLIC school went to a strict dress code of plain colored tops and bottoms with no logos (it would have been easier to go to uniforms, trust me!) and they were suspending kids left and right. The school system even hit the national news because over 150 HS students were suspended in one day!

Anyways, I know how hard it is to find gym shorts with no logos on them, especially in the smaller sizes. I would have done what you did, sent him wearing them and sending extra clothes. I really do not think the Admin staff went out to see how hard it is to find plain clothes without logos.

 

[golfgal]

I don't know of any school that doesn't have some kind of a dress code, some are more strict than others, this one is ridicules. For some reason schools thing that not having logos on clothing "equalizes" things, it doesn't. A dress code has to be reasonable as well. If you can't find clothing that meets the dress code, the code needs to be changed. I would send him in the starter shorts and if he gets into trouble I would speak to the principal and offer to take the principal shopping to show him/her that there are NO SHORTS that meet this code available.

Some parents in our kids' elementary school wanted to go to a similar dress code, no logos and khaki pants only. The rest of us that were more reasonable pointed out that khaki pants look like crap after the kids have been playing in the dirt on the playground and it is hard to get those stains out.

 

[mamamary]

That's really strict. I know my son likes "plain" shorts but I think every single pair has some sort of pocket on them. What is the reasoning behind no pockets (just curious)?

I'd ask the school if they have recommendations on where these clothes can be bought.

Good luck!

ps - I know what you mean about the heat. We are expecting highs of 90 here today.

 

[Mkrop]

I guess I dont get what the big deal is, we deal with uniforms every day...

I would have sent him in what I had if I could not find anything and just accepted whatever punishment.

Then I would be out today shopping for the proper shorts. Because you dont know if we are going to have any more hot days.

Try sporting goods stores, they may have the mesh ones. Look online.

DS7 cant not wear ones with pockets for flag football. I was shocked when I looked at his shorts and they all had pockets. I found one handmedown pair from DS13 that do work, and I recall buying them at Modells.

 

[mhsjax]

You missed my posts last year on this same topic! The PUBLIC school went to a strict dress code of plain colored tops and bottoms with no logos (it would have been easier to go to uniforms, trust me!) and they were suspending kids left and right. The school system even hit the national news because over 150 HS students were suspended in one day!

Anyways, I know how hard it is to find gym shorts with no logos on them, especially in the smaller sizes. I would have done what you did, sent him wearing them and sending extra clothes. I really do not think the Admin staff went out to see how hard it is to find plain clothes without logos.

See this is the problem with the school systems. Sure we can't control bullying, sure some of our kids are several grade levels behind where they should be, but by golly they have shorts with no logos and t shirts with no logos. Talk about screwed up situation.

PP not talking about "your" school, just school in general that have this attitude.

 

[mhsjax]

I guess I dont get what the big deal is, we deal with uniforms every day...

I would have sent him in what I had if I could not find anything and just accepted whatever punishment.

Then I would be out today shopping for the proper shorts. Because you dont know if we are going to have any more hot days.

Try sporting goods stores, they may have the mesh ones. Look online.

DS7 cant not wear ones with pockets for flag football. I was shocked when I looked at his shorts and they all had pockets. I found one handmedown pair from DS13 that do work, and I recall buying them at Modells.

You have uniforms, that is why you don't see a problem. I am sure uniforms would be better than this dress code. I would love to see uniforms for our kids, but no luck, isn't going to happen.

I would never accept this punishment, and as far as shorts, you can't find them and I am sorry but going to a sporting good store you may find something but probably not, and if you do, you need a small loan for basic pull on sports shorts, No way would I spend that kind of money.

Rules like this need to be changed, and not just gone along with. They are unreasonable. We have a very strict school system here where I live, but his isn't even close to our dress code. The worry about length and inappropriate sayings and logos, but that is all. Seems to me, these schools need to be more concerned with teaching than with logos, that is over the top.

 

[GJM]

I live in SC and I can't find shorts in the stores. I just had to order some online for my DS because his got too short on him.

Even if they were pull on shorts, he can't wear them, because they are always big in the waist.

I think the OP is in PA - I am sure all the stores, all the winter stuff out now.

 

[design_mom]

See this is the problem with the school systems. Sure we can't control bullying, sure some of our kids are several grade levels behind where they should be, but by golly they have shorts with no logos and t shirts with no logos. Talk about screwed up situation.

I agree. I see this in the corporation I work for, too. It's like they hyperfocus on unimportant things (because they think they can control them) and let the big-problem things spiral out of control because there's not an easy fix.

OP, I am about as big of a stickler for rules as you'll find, but I think you did the right thing. You sent him in as-close-to-the-rules shorts as you could find (color-on-color logo) and sent a change of clothes, just in case. I hope your DS doesn't have any problems.

I agree with others that maybe looking online (gymnastics/dance suppliers, or school uniform suppliers, maybe?) might be your best bet if you think he needs additional gym shorts.

 

[daughtersrus]

I would call the school and explain to them that you're having difficulty finding shorts that meet the criteria. Ask them if they have a suggestion as to where you can find shorts without pockets or logos. Our schools contract with a local vendor to provide PE uniforms. If not, there's no way that I'd find shorts this time of year when many of the stores already have Christmas decorations up.

 

[luvmy3]

That sounds crazy. When my DDs went to private school the dress code was much more relaxed.

Have you asked any other parents where they may have found shorts that don't break the rules? If they are having a hard time, ask the schools where to purchase them. If they want such strict rules, they should be able to provide you a list where the items can be purchased.

Or at least provide a gym uniform.

See this is the problem with the school systems. Sure we can't control bullying, sure some of our kids are several grade levels behind where they should be, but by golly they have shorts with no logos and t shirts with no logos. Talk about screwed up situation.

PP not talking about "your" school, just school in general that have this attitude.

This makes it look like they are doing something.

 

[jen0610]

Okay I was seriously up most of the night worried about this... We have a VERY VERY strict dress code that went into affect (or effect? lack of sleep) this year.

My son has gym today they are allowed to wear their gym clothes to school (he's in K) The dress code is this plain colored clothes with no logo at all on them or no pockets.. well I wasn't able to find shorts plain colored with no pockets, no logos on them I did find starter shorts with a star on them the same color of the shorts. he wore them for 3 wks now with no problem.. well at open house someone said they were cracking down on those shorts and were giving out detention for wearing them..

Last week the weather was cooler so I was just going have him wear sweatpants (which are allowed) but its going to be near 90 today and he is in a gym class room with 130 other kids (seperated by "walls") and it gets to be over 100 in there I told dh to stop and get new shorts last night for him at walmart.. well he came home with cargo shorts aaarrrrgggg pockets!

I sent him in the illegal shorts today.. I packed another set of "uniform clothes" for just in case... what would you have done? sent him in "illegal" shorts, sweatpants or a uniform? they DO get docket for not dressing. Yes we are talking about 5 yr olds in kindergarten...

When a school get to the stupidity point that your school has reached - zero logos even if they are the same color as the shorts - and if parent has searched and can not find any thing that fits into their requirements (price), that is when I buy what I can find and can afford.

If the school doesn't like it, my stance with the school then would be, if they can find short that perfectly match their requirements, within my budget requirement, please buy X number of shorts in the size I need. If they don't like that, then they need to explain to me why having a small white star stitched onto a white pair of shorts is detramental to my sons ability to learn?

If their suggestion would be to remove the logo for the pants I can find, I would bring the shorts in, drop them off in the office and tell the principle to have at. And don't ruin the shorts by putting snags in the material or holes in them as they pull the threads out.

I know a lot of school are go to uniform rules for valid reasons, but when their guidelines make if difficult on parents both in finding what they require or putting a hurt on budgets because the things cost an arm and a leg, then it's just plain nuts.

 

[robinb]

What a crock! What the heck do they think kids are going to hide in their pockets? Switchblades?!? I hate over the top dress codes ... can you tell?

I recall seeing some shorts at Target that are plain with no pockets. I'm sure they were in the Girls department though. Good luck. What a PITB.

ETA: What about covering the star with duct tape? I see it on TV all the time when a show does not want to give someone free advertising.

 

[okeydokey]

Crazy. I know how hard it is to find plain clothes. I have been looking for plain black sweats for my son's Halloween Ninja costume and just found some at JCP. But I had to look several places. A dress code can make sense when it is reasonable. This one is not.

 

[DVCLiz]

We had this dress code K-8. It's not that difficult to find plain shorts - Gap Kids, Old Navy, Target, they all have them. Yes, you have to shop ahead but if you miss them in the stores there are plenty of places online in every budget to get them - Land's End, Kohl's, the department stores, etc.

Our dress code not only required plain no logo shorts but also was strict about the length - no short shorts allowed.

OP, try the thrift stores in your area - plenty of other parents have had to find those shorts and they are doing something with them when their kids outgrow thwem. We always had a row of "dress code" shorts and tops this time of year at our local thrift store.

I assume by no pockets you mean no cargo-type short. Are the regular one on each side top of the pant pockets also banned? I do think they would be more difficult to find...