Patty Aaron = turquoise
Julie Judd = blue
What is your job title?
Principal – Conejo Valley Adult Education
Elementary School Principal
Educator – 16 years….teacher for 14, administrator for 2…
Principal
Elementary school office manager
Kindergarten Teacher
Band Conductor and technology coordinator of CMS
Are you for or against the use of school uniforms in private and public schools?
I can live either way.
FOR.
I am neither for or against uniforms.
Neutral; I can see reasons for AND against them.
Against
i am for it sometimes. And sometimes I think it isn't necessary.
Why or why not?
A. If the school is a choice school (students go there by choice) is support it. Students go to the school knowing that’s what they are getting. B. If the school is a compulsory school (students are assigned to the school by other than choice), I don’t support it. Too much effort is spent on enforcement in this case.
(see below)
There are many reasons to have or not have uniforms. Key to their use is the community requesting them being used. Community support is essential for the program to be successful.
I’m AGAINST them because I think most kids hate them, and uniforms prevent a person from expressing his or her individuality. However, I’m FOR uniforms because I think they are “the great equalizer.” Most schools have students who come from a variety of diverse social-economic circumstances and, wrong though it is, society tends to reward those (with popularity or even “profiling practices”) who are able to dress nicer or more trendy.
Too much regimentation -- takes away from individuality.
I am for it because there are kids who can't afford the "Latest fashion" and sometimes they are teased about their clothes. I am for it because it puts all students on the same level making school the focus, not the clothes. However, there are families who can't afford the uniform either.
Do you think it affect grades?
The uniforms don’t. The act of parents supporting the concept does.
I think it does, but in a minor way – just my opinion here, but I think it allows students to focus on their work instead of what to wear or instead of “who is wearing what” at school. I don’t think it’s the only thing that adds to improved grades – I just think that it affects attitude and self-esteem, which lead to improved grades.
If you are in a poorer community, uniforms can help to create a level playing field for all children. They can actually cost less and create a savings for parents and if there are gang concerns they can help with the visible presence on campus.
No, so long as a school without uniforms maintains a dress code that prohibits apparel that could cause a disruption to the learning process in the classroom.
No.
I think people's attitude affects their grades and their clothing can influence their attitude.
Behavior?
See above
You limit the number of teasing/taunting behaviors that are associated with clothing (some kids tease based on who is wearing something cool/not cool). In addition, without the gang-related apparel, incidents of gang activity are lessened since members can’t be as easily identified. If you look closely at the results of Long Beach Unified School District, they implemented a uniform policy and the crime rates went down DRASTICALLY – fewer violent or hate crimes especially!
If the above statements are true for a community, it has been proven to support students to focus more on grades, have a safer feeling to the school environment, all of which support higher grades. If you are at a middle class or upper middle class school, I would not expect grades to be effected positively of negatively.
Yes, I could see how the social aspect of uniforms could affect behavior. I would imagine that it isn’t only in the movies (e.g., Freaky Friday) or on TV that students might engage in teasing behavior or become involved in altercations based on perceived social status.
Possibly.
See above
Attitude?
See above
It sets a tone – this is similar to what Disneyland does for Grad Night, you have to dress a certain way and typically, the behavior is better. It’s a “dress for success” philosophy. Students who are dressed ready to learn tend to demonstrate the ready to learn attitude.
The idea of everyone wearing the same clothes could soften competition in some areas of the school. With parent and student support of the program, I do believe that it could soften some negative areas of student behavior and attitude.
Yes – see answer above.
Possibly.
See above
Self Esteem?
See above
Self-Esteem? Student self esteem is heightened – it puts everyone on an equal playing field. Students that for whatever reason didn’t have the “popular” clothes now can have the same style as everyone else. It gets rid of the “haves” and the “have-nots”. Students then would feel a bit more confident on the whole.
One of the major arguments for uniforms is based around self-esteem. Once again, I believe a better argument can be made for schools in the lower social economic strata than in the upper middle class schools. Again, yes. But I would go further here and say that even students who are not teased, or do not become involved in altercations, could be affected and could suffer from lowered self-esteem. A person’s ego is so fragile during your school years, especially in middle and high school, that simply being ignored because you aren’t one of the students whose family has lots of money to buy expensive clothes can wear away at your self-esteem.
Hard to say.
Absolutely! Look around the quad at lunch. There are girls who wear these really cute, tight, and popular outfits. How does that make another kid who can't or shouldn't feel?
Social Activity?
No, the students’ personalities are the biggest factor in this.
Not sure about this one – due to a boost of confidence, they might be more willing to be social and more willing to include others. I’m assuming you’re referring to appropriate social activity, not just talking in class.
I am not exactly sure what is meant by social activity. I am guessing you are referring to getting a date. If all are held to the same standard - clothes - make-up - etc., it could only help.
Would it surprise you if I said yes? In my personal experience, even guys classified as “nerdy” don’t ask out girls who are perceived as unattractive or geeky, and often clothing plays a big role in that perception. Same thing with girls – they won’t allow another girl into their social clique if she doesn’t have “the right look.”
Possibly.
I think it would stimulate more social activity if kids didn't choose their friends based on the clothes that they wear.
Would it stop labeling? No. Students will still find a way to exhibit their wealth.
To a certain degree…It would lessen labeling based on clothing choices, but some students get labeled for other reasons. I think back to when I was in high school, and we labeled kids based on what they were wearing or how they dressed regularly – not that it was acceptable, just a fact of life!
Labeling is the key argument for having uniforms. The gang labels and financial cast systems students can create would be eliminated physically.
I
think it might. I would be interested in seeing a study of a school before and
after the institution of a uniform dress code, to see if it made a difference.
Perhaps.
In a perfect world.
Does it respect the Founding Fathers/ Constitution?
Only if one chooses to be there.
I’m assuming you’re referring to “freedom of _expression” – I think in a school setting, the primary focus is learning, and if uniforms help with that, then I’m all for it. Students can continue to express their beliefs in ways other than clothing – it comes through in how they perform and act.
I do not believe this is a constitutional issue for students under 18 years of age. If the parents want this for their wards, it is constitutional. I would also mean that the school would have to have accommodations for those not wanting their child to have uniforms or the school could be declared and alternative or magnet school thus allowing those who's parents do not want this for their children to have alternatives.
Oooh, interesting concept! You know, I’m not sure the founding fathers’ ideas of “constitutional” suits today’s world. I don’t agree with the amendment that claims we should all be able to bear arms; I think that causes a lot of murders these days; so I think a school district’s decision to institute use of uniforms should be allowed without consideration of the original intent of the Constitution. (I’d be curious to see the outcome of a contemporary adjudication of the idea as it pertains to interpretation in today’s society, however.)
I don't think so!
I don't know.
What is your idea of the perfect School Uniform.
Simple,
inexpensive, and easy to buy (cheap & available)
Something
simple with several different options for wear (similar colored bottoms with
several choices – pants, shorts, skirts – single color, no jeans). Tops could
also have several different options but the same color. Shoe choices need to
allow for activity during PE, and still be “cool”. They would need to be
affordable for as many as possible. In addition, having a choice of styles would
allow for different body types to select what works (especially important in
middle and high school).
The perfect school uniform is one selected by the community. It would be simple and the rules would be followed uniformly. Any student not able to purchase a uniform would be confidentially scholarship.
I think it should look fairly unisex and feature dark-colored pants (shorts for warm weather), neither baggy nor tight-fitting, standard tennis or running shoes (that everyone could afford), long- and short-sleeved tee-shirts in school colors, and a sweatshirt in school colors. Practical, basic, easy, low maintenance, most everyone would be willing to wear it.
Dark color Pants/Skirts, white shirt or blouse.
Blue Jeans - Solid top - sneakers
Would
you let your child wear one?
Yes
Definitely! Sure would make buying clothes a whole lot less stressful as well!
I would not object to my child wearing a uniform.
You betcha. I hear it’s way cheaper than “real” clothes, too. And think of all the clothes fights we moms and daughters could avoid!
Only if they wanted to.
Yes.
Would you wear one?
Yes
DEFINITELY – it would take the hassle out of “what to wear” each day!
Many adult jobs do require uniforms. Having selected a job that requires nicer dress is a form of a uniform but within the parameters of acceptable dress I am able to select clothes that fit my personality. I would prefer to not wear a strict uniform determined by my employer.
Yes, I would. I’ve always supported the concept that everyone should be judged according to their character, personality and brains instead of looks. And think how easy it would be to get dressed every day! No need to worry about what to wear, what accessories to have, whether you are dressed appropriate to the weather forecast, do you have time to iron.
Yes if required, but I would prefer not to.
Yes. If you notice some of us teachers already have a uniform of sorts. We wear Blue Ribbon on Monday; Red, White and Blue on Tues.; green and white on Wed. ; Thurs is a dressy day and Friday is Aloha.
Anything else you would like to add? Choice is the key
One of the other reasons for uniforms is that it easily identifies children as being affiliated with a school. This is helpful as students are traveling to and from school or on a field trip.
FYI In the six years Lang Ranch has been open, parents have brought this topic to the teacher/parent committee, School Site Council, twice and in each instance there was not enough interest to go forward with the idea. I might also mention that no one at the table was opposed to the idea. They simply did not see a need to go to all of the effort needed to make it happen since many of the reasons for having a uniform are not in place at Lang Ranch. ( Remember the key issue where it is in place and remains in place is school safety).
I am really not either avidly for or against school uniforms. I have heard both good and bad things about them. I think a lot would depend on the socio-economics of the school and also demographics.
Answer not available