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We don’t have uniforms at my school. The kids mostly dress in a respectable fashion but I do think we need a stricter dress code. Some outfits I see just aren’t school appropriate. And I’m not talking shoulders or knees showing, but crop tops and short, short, shirt shorts and skirts.
I definitely think clothes should be modest and appropriate, but I don't think uniforms are the best way to go about it. Totally get what you're saying!
My school does not have a dress code and honestly I don’t notice what kids are wearing at all anymore and it’s so much for your to not have to manage whether or not kids are within dress code or not. The only restriction is they can’t of violence or drug paraphernalia on their clothing, but other than that they can wear what they want.
Uniforms do not level any differences in the socioeconomic statuses of families.
Uniforms do make purchasing school clothing easier on parents. "Not allowed by the school" is easier for them than saying "No" these days.
Uniforms do not bring students together in any way.
Uniforms do encourage students to fade away into the background.
Honestly, it's really up to the system and their desires. However, if there is a uniform then I'd also suggest that the school apply the same guidelines to the staff. Preaching unity and walking the walk of freedom to choose your daily attire is complete hypocrisy of the unity you preached about.
This!! I work in a school with uniforms, and some teachers spend all day worried about what the kids are wearing rather than teaching. AND you're right -- they aren't wearing uniforms either! I feel like it's just a control issue for a lot of teachers...
I think uniforms are unnecessary and students should be able to wear what they want. Sometimes I'm a little uncomfortable with the crop tops or whatever but then I just remind myself that that's on me and adults in the building shouldn't be sexualizing children (no one should).
We don’t have a dress code other than cover your private parts and no symbols that promote racism, violence, alcohol, drugs, etc. Hats, hoodies up, bare midriffs, and pajama bottoms are commonplace these past few years. In spite of that, probably 95+% of our kids do dress appropriately. The ones who don’t are mostly girls, and AP’s don’t want to be called sexist or perverted, so they tend to ignore it.
The reason that our school board changed the rules is some community members argued that dress codes are racist and sexist. But sometimes it’s the way rules are enforced unequally, rather than the rules themselves that are bad, but let’s just throw out the rules.
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As a parent I loved uniforms because there was no fighting about what to wear. My kids are now in college and they have said they liked them, too, looking back on their K-8 (uniforms) vs 9-12 (dress code)
I can see why some parents would feel that way. I'm just not sure that they're the best for all students.
I wish uniforms were required, it would help a great deal with bullying
We seem to have an excessive amount of bullying centered around clothing brands.
Pro
I spent 17 years in a huge public school. No uniforms, and a dress code that was not followed.
It was a constant source of trouble.
I am now at a smaller public charter, we have uniforms, and it is great.
I have seen two girls’ breast this year because the top they wore were so short when they raised their arms there boobs showed. This is against our dress code. They weren’t my students. It was while in hall duty.
I think students should be allowed to wear what they want, within reasonable guidelines. I teach in an urban district where the majority of students are Black & Brown & we have a uniform policy for our students. In contrast, every suburban district that surrounds us doesn’t require uniforms and the demographics of those districts are very different from ours.
Our students are constantly complaining that uniforms stifle their freedom of self-expression, make them feel like a number, and like they have to conform to whatever box society puts them in. They are also fully aware that the other districts don’t put these same restrictions on their students.
I agree with them. They should be allowed to feel like individuals and they should feel comfortable in their clothes. If the primary purpose of school is education and we know that kids tend to learn better in environments where they feel safe and comfortable, then letting them wear what they want (within appropriate guidelines) is the way to go. Hoodies included.
Self expression
Chief
Not a fan of dress codes or uniforms.
Same. I'm frustrated with the amount of time teachers spend focused on what the kids are wearing.
My kid's former elementary school floated the idea of dress codes. I would rather that the kids have the opportunity to practice making choices that really don't matter. Does it really matter what color the shirt is or the socks? I do however believe that there should be a better support system for those in need. Kids clothes can be expensive and they grow so quickly.
Right there with you. Just because kids have to wear specific colors doesn't mean you can't distinguish between a cheap skirt and a designer one. A lot of families need help providing for their kids, and it would be great if they could spend what little they have on practical things that their kids actually like. (Not saying anything inappropriate, just clothes that express their interests, personalities, or, I don't know, even their favorite colors...)
Dress should be modest in my opinion. The real issue is with cell phones. If the parent needs the kid, the parent should call the office, and the office can summon the kid. K-12 children aren’t high-powered business execs who need cell phones in school.
Yes! Cell phones are the devil.
I used to teach at an early college some good years back and we had dress code for administrators/teachers and students. Nobody exempted. Administrators and teachers were required to be professionally dressed everyday except Friday(jeans allowed). We helped each other.
I loved it. On some days of the week even students dressed professionally.
After a new principal was elected, things changed.
I'm glad that worked well for your school back then. What do you think are the greatest advantages of everyone dressing in uniform?
We have never had a dress code so I wouldn't know the difference but the students wear what they want as long as it isn't inappropriate and we haven't had any problems
Our school doesn't have uniforms, and I couldn't be happier about it. It doesn't make sense to spend so much time worrying about what the kids are wearing, in my opinion.
I prefer uniforms honestly, it's less distractions in the class. The only downside is having to enforce the dress cde.
As a parent I wished our school would go to uniforms. However, it was for selfish reasons. I always felt it would be easier to lay out three uniforms the night before and be done.
I wish our school would get rid of the hoodie rule. I didn’t become a teacher to police what they wear. If they can learn in it why do we care if it isn’t inappropriate?