It took me awhile to put my thoughts together on this issue after the July 24th meeting of the Flagler School Board that I attended. I believe that this matter really goes so much deeper than just what our kid wear, into how our schools are being run and why they are being run the way that they are.
At this point it is becoming increasingly obvious to me that this move towards uniforms is about politics, and nothing more than that. I feel like my child is being used as a pawn in the economics and politics of Flagler County and there is nothing I can do about it unless I want to sue the school board. There are no recall or ballot procedures for school board members or school board issues. These people are dictators once they are elected - and they are making full use of that power to do whatever they want regardless of what the residents of this district, and the parents of this district, want.
Consider the following information and see what conclusion you reach.
The school board had, at the urging of board member Evie Shellenberger, been investigating implementing uniforms in the district for some time. A "town hall" meeting had been scheduled for July 11th to hear public opinion on the desirability of a uniform policy. The board had scheduled a final vote on implementing a policy for its July 24th meeting, after the town hall meeting.
On June 29th, the Florida School Accountability Grades were released by the Florida Department of Education, grading several Flagler schools poorly, including a "C" for Matanzas High School and a "D" grade for Flagler-Palm Coast High School.
The evening of June 29th, at their regularly scheduled meeting, the Flagler School Board suddenly changed the publicly announced schedule for the uniform process and voted to implement uniforms for the 2008-2009 school year and to change to purpose of the July 11th town hall meeting to be to get input on what the actual uniforms should be. This vote took place despite the fact that a newly appointed member of the board was being sworn in that night, effectively leaving 20% of the school district without a representative during that vote.
Newspaper stories from the Flagler education beat the following day focused on the uniform issue, not on the abysmal Florida School Accountability grades received by the two high schools in the district.
At the town hall meeting the school board touted the endorsement of their uniform plan by the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce.
No one I have talked to has any knowledge that the teacher's union (who presumably are more relevant to this issue than the Chamber of Commerce?) has been even consulted about uniforms, let alone endorsed the policy - including a teacher who is a building rep. for the union.
After the members of the public spoke at the town hall meeting, more than half of them against uniforms, the response they received was a very dour attitude of "well, the decision is already made, too bad."
Members of the school board have repeatedly pointed to the examples of other districts in the implementing of uniforms.
When it was pointed out to the board on July 24th by the ACLU that the examples of methods that other districts have used to implement uniform policies include parent polling on the issue, all but one board member chose to ignore that statement completely. The only board member who responded to that fact was Ms. Shellenberger, who has been the most ardent supporter of uniforms, and even she dismissed those examples by saying that it wasn't practical because she felt the whole district would have to be polled because "all residents are taxpayers and have a stake in our schools."
To me, that quote from Ms. Shellenberger sums up what this is all about. This uniform effort is not about a genuine effort to make our schools better. It is about propping up property values in this town by making the schools look better than they are, and about attracting business by making the schools look better than they are. It is about using uniforms to whitewash over our growing gang problem. That is why the Chamber of Commerce cares about uniforms, because this policy is about economic growth, not about educational quality. This is about jobs, not about students.
Taxpayers have a right to voice their opinion on school matters that they will pay for. Everyone in this community does not have a right to voice an opinion on whether my child should have to wear a uniform every day, unless they are going to shop for and pay for those uniforms, do battle with my child everyday to enforce the wearing of them, and do the resulting extra laundry from them. That affects my family, not the retired lady next door, or the single guys down the street. Since I will be the one that has to live with it, I should get a say in it. And only me.
It's really easy to have an opinion on something when you don't have to live with the consequences. Let the parents decide. They are the ones that have to live with it.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Board Member Shellenberger's response to parent survey proposal
Flagler School Board member Evie Shellenberger, who has lead the charge for some time to put uniforms on Flagler Schools students, chose to respond to the proposal for a parent survey by completely ignoring the actual argument for one: the importance of parent cooperation in implementing a uniform program.
My Statement in Support of the Parent Survey on Uniforms
My statement to the board on July 24th addressed some of my concerns regarding uniforms and the needs of ESE students, as well as seconding the ACLU proposal of following in the footsteps of other districts and utilizing a parent survey to decide the issue.
ACLU Statement at July 24th School Board Meeting
George Griffin, president of the Volusia/Flagler ACLU chapter, proposed at the July 24th Flagler County School Board meeting that the board should hold a parent survey on the implementation of a uniform policy the way most other districts in Florida have done.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Reminder: School Board Meeting Tomorrow Night!
Don't forget that there is a school board meeting tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 6pm at the Government Services Building in Bunnell.
We'd like to get everyone who can come to show up to show their support to the school board for having a parent vote on the implementation of uniforms. This vote will protect both the parents who are for and against uniforms. It will protect the rights of parents who are against uniforms from being railroaded by a flawed school board process from not having their opinions heard. And it will protect parents who are pro-uniforms from investing in that process and then possibly discovering that too many parents are not complying with the policy, making the uniforms pointless.
The board keeps pointing to the fact that so many other Florida districts have uniforms as a reason for Flagler to have them. So why aren't they following the same process as those districts?
Please show up to ask the board to let the parents make the decision, which is how this issue has been handled in most other Florida school districts!
We'd like to get everyone who can come to show up to show their support to the school board for having a parent vote on the implementation of uniforms. This vote will protect both the parents who are for and against uniforms. It will protect the rights of parents who are against uniforms from being railroaded by a flawed school board process from not having their opinions heard. And it will protect parents who are pro-uniforms from investing in that process and then possibly discovering that too many parents are not complying with the policy, making the uniforms pointless.
The board keeps pointing to the fact that so many other Florida districts have uniforms as a reason for Flagler to have them. So why aren't they following the same process as those districts?
Please show up to ask the board to let the parents make the decision, which is how this issue has been handled in most other Florida school districts!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
News-Journal Editorial Gives Thumbs Down to Uniforms
A great (if a bit dense) editorial today in the News-Journal explains exactly why uniforms are not the solution to what ails our schools:
No, Meaningless Frock
Some extremely relevant points made by Mr. Tristam in the editorial include:
"With next year's election season approaching, the board needed an artificial issue to make it look decisive. Uniforms are it."
"Masking society's inequalities and prejudices by donning a uniform, instead of confronting them head on, teaches children deception and evasion as much as it may give them a break from feeling superior or inferior. It's trading one vice for another."
"My objection to uniforms isn't that they're irrelevant, but that they give schools an added presumption of authority and regimentation that schools aren't entitled to, and pupils don't deserve -- legal and academic fad in favor of treating pupils like wards of their schools notwithstanding..."
I highly recommend a read-through of the piece. It's a very interesting trip through an alternative viewpoint for those who are pro-uniforms.
No, Meaningless Frock
Some extremely relevant points made by Mr. Tristam in the editorial include:
"With next year's election season approaching, the board needed an artificial issue to make it look decisive. Uniforms are it."
"Masking society's inequalities and prejudices by donning a uniform, instead of confronting them head on, teaches children deception and evasion as much as it may give them a break from feeling superior or inferior. It's trading one vice for another."
"My objection to uniforms isn't that they're irrelevant, but that they give schools an added presumption of authority and regimentation that schools aren't entitled to, and pupils don't deserve -- legal and academic fad in favor of treating pupils like wards of their schools notwithstanding..."
I highly recommend a read-through of the piece. It's a very interesting trip through an alternative viewpoint for those who are pro-uniforms.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
What do uniforms really cost?
A lot of parent opinion centers around whether or not uniforms are cheaper for families.
There has been one study on the subject that I have been able to locate:
Note this critical part of the abstract: Findings indicated that consumers do not replace their nonuniform purchases with uniform expenses. Instead, uniforms are considered as complementary purchases, thereby, leading to increased clothing expenditures. According to the results of this study, the actual purchase price of uniforms compared to regular clothes is irrelevant to the argument about whether school uniforms are more expensive. Since families purchase them in addition to, and not instead of, their usual clothing purchases, uniforms are more expensive for families no matter how much or how little is spent on them.
Even if you are a parent who is convinced that you will be able to replace other clothes purchases with uniforms, what do uniforms actually cost? The answer varies widely. Very young students may be more prone to spilling on their clothes, requiring more frequent laundering or even replacing of outfits due to stains. The oldest students will require frequent laundering due to body odor. Then there are variables such as how fast a child is growing, and a major variable in cost: how hard to fit a child is.
Walmart and Target are being widely touted as sources of affordable school uniforms. That may be true - if your child is of average size. If you can walk into a store and pull anything off of the rack and it will fit your child, then you will likely have no problem finding plenty of inexpensive uniform options for your student.
If, on the other hand, your child is hard to fit and requires slim or husky sizes? Well, you may be out of luck on the affordability of uniforms - especially if your child is a girl.
Walmart offers slim and husky sizes in boys, but only plus in girls. No slim sizes.
Target offers plus sizes but no slims in either boys or girls.
Bealls offers a few husky sizes in boys items. Not sure about plus sizes for the girls.
Old Navy: A good selection of plus and slim sizes is available for both boys and girls but a pair of basic uniform pants start at $17.50 per pair (compared to pants that start at $11.88 at Walmart).
JC Penney: A full range of sizes is offered but pants start at $19.99 for girls and $26 for boys.
Sears: Pants start at $20 for girls and $24 for boys and only plus/husky sizes are offered.
Gap: Again, a good selection of complete size ranges is available but a basic pair of uniform pants starts at $29.50.
Lands End: Their selection of uniform pants available in a complete size range starts at $29.99.
Uniforms would definitely be more expensive for my family since my daughter is very slim and hard-to fit. I can currently buy two very nice complete knit outfits or dresses at Target that will fit her for school for what it would cost to put her in one pair of uniform pants from Old Navy that would hopefully fit her and be long enough and still stay up. Buying uniform outfits would be a significant cost increase for us. I'm sure there are other families facing the same situation because of hard-to-fit children.
Also we shouldn't forget that other help to the clothing budget: gifts that do double-duty as school clothes. Our 7 year-old niece (who lives in Michigan) loves to shop. So for her last couple of gifts from us (birthday and christmas) she has received Target gift cards that she could spend on clothing with the supervision of her mother. Our niece has fun shopping, and she gets some new school clothes to put in her closet without her parents spending anything. Somehow, I think the fun would go out of that gift for our niece if she had to pick out uniform clothes, and the added benefit would be lost to her parents if she picked out regular clothes and they still had to buy her uniforms.
In addition to gift cards, actual clothing gifts can expand school wardrobes. They certainly do in our family with two grandmas that love to shop for their granddaughter. But opening a box of khaki pants and white shirts on your birthday somehow just isn't that exciting for a little kid...or as exciting for a grandparent to give.
Give a thought to all of these things before you decide what uniforms will really cost your family and other families.
There has been one study on the subject that I have been able to locate:
The effect of uniforms on nonuniform apparel expenditures.The full study can be read in full from your home computer on the Library's InfoTrac database if you have the password (just ask the reference librarian for it).
Norum, Pamela S., Robert O. Weagley, and Marjorie J.T. Norton. "The effect of uniforms on nonuniform apparel expenditures." Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal 26.n3 (March 1998): 259(22). Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomson Gale. Flagler County Public Library. 13 July 2007
Abstract:
The effects of uniform expenses on household expenditures for some nonuniform apparel subcategories based on an economic model of conditional demand were investigated. Expenditures formulas were derived from the 1990-1991 Consumer Expenditure Survey. Findings indicated that consumers do not replace their nonuniform purchases with uniform expenses. Instead, uniforms are considered as complementary purchases, thereby, leading to increased clothing expenditures.
Thomson Gale Document Number:A20584197
Note this critical part of the abstract: Findings indicated that consumers do not replace their nonuniform purchases with uniform expenses. Instead, uniforms are considered as complementary purchases, thereby, leading to increased clothing expenditures. According to the results of this study, the actual purchase price of uniforms compared to regular clothes is irrelevant to the argument about whether school uniforms are more expensive. Since families purchase them in addition to, and not instead of, their usual clothing purchases, uniforms are more expensive for families no matter how much or how little is spent on them.
Even if you are a parent who is convinced that you will be able to replace other clothes purchases with uniforms, what do uniforms actually cost? The answer varies widely. Very young students may be more prone to spilling on their clothes, requiring more frequent laundering or even replacing of outfits due to stains. The oldest students will require frequent laundering due to body odor. Then there are variables such as how fast a child is growing, and a major variable in cost: how hard to fit a child is.
Walmart and Target are being widely touted as sources of affordable school uniforms. That may be true - if your child is of average size. If you can walk into a store and pull anything off of the rack and it will fit your child, then you will likely have no problem finding plenty of inexpensive uniform options for your student.
If, on the other hand, your child is hard to fit and requires slim or husky sizes? Well, you may be out of luck on the affordability of uniforms - especially if your child is a girl.
Walmart offers slim and husky sizes in boys, but only plus in girls. No slim sizes.
Target offers plus sizes but no slims in either boys or girls.
Bealls offers a few husky sizes in boys items. Not sure about plus sizes for the girls.
Old Navy: A good selection of plus and slim sizes is available for both boys and girls but a pair of basic uniform pants start at $17.50 per pair (compared to pants that start at $11.88 at Walmart).
JC Penney: A full range of sizes is offered but pants start at $19.99 for girls and $26 for boys.
Sears: Pants start at $20 for girls and $24 for boys and only plus/husky sizes are offered.
Gap: Again, a good selection of complete size ranges is available but a basic pair of uniform pants starts at $29.50.
Lands End: Their selection of uniform pants available in a complete size range starts at $29.99.
Uniforms would definitely be more expensive for my family since my daughter is very slim and hard-to fit. I can currently buy two very nice complete knit outfits or dresses at Target that will fit her for school for what it would cost to put her in one pair of uniform pants from Old Navy that would hopefully fit her and be long enough and still stay up. Buying uniform outfits would be a significant cost increase for us. I'm sure there are other families facing the same situation because of hard-to-fit children.
Also we shouldn't forget that other help to the clothing budget: gifts that do double-duty as school clothes. Our 7 year-old niece (who lives in Michigan) loves to shop. So for her last couple of gifts from us (birthday and christmas) she has received Target gift cards that she could spend on clothing with the supervision of her mother. Our niece has fun shopping, and she gets some new school clothes to put in her closet without her parents spending anything. Somehow, I think the fun would go out of that gift for our niece if she had to pick out uniform clothes, and the added benefit would be lost to her parents if she picked out regular clothes and they still had to buy her uniforms.
In addition to gift cards, actual clothing gifts can expand school wardrobes. They certainly do in our family with two grandmas that love to shop for their granddaughter. But opening a box of khaki pants and white shirts on your birthday somehow just isn't that exciting for a little kid...or as exciting for a grandparent to give.
Give a thought to all of these things before you decide what uniforms will really cost your family and other families.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
ACLU Comments at Town Hall Meeting
George Griffin, President of the Volusia/Flagler Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, commented on the uniforms issue at the town hall meeting on July 11th and the constitutional issues related to such policies.
I was the parent that contacted him about my concerns regarding the lack of proper process in the board's consideration of this matter and also whether or not they would include a constitutionally required opt-out policy.
Board Member Sue Dickinson's Comments At The Town Hall Meeting
Sue Dickinson essentially tells parents expressing their opinions against uniforms in Flagler Schools that she doesn't care what parents think, that the board will go ahead with what it wants regardless of parent opinion.
Chairwoman Conklin's Remarks
These are Chairwoman Conklin's remarks at the close of the town hall meeting on July 11th. I find it fascinating that she mentions the board has been studying this issue for two years. So why was there no request for parent input on the topic until after they had already voted on it? Was there not time for it in that two years?
Friday, July 13, 2007
FYI: The Draft Code for Uniform Policy
(Click on image for larger view)Although this is titled "dress code" this is actually a draft of the possible uniform code that was distributed at the town hall meeting of the school board on July 11th. Items #3-5 are discussion items, with the things listed being only suggestions for discussion, not actually proposals for a code.
Some fascinating statistics about the sides of the uniform debate
It's becoming increasingly evident to me that this uniform debate is about money, in more ways than one.
The Chamber of Commerce has taken an inappropriate interest in the issue.
Despite reliable studies to the contrary, certain people continue to insist that uniforms are cheaper for families.
Now lets take a look at the attendees at the town meeting on Wednesday night.
Average property value of attendee speaking in favor of uniforms: $284,674
Average property value of attendee speaking against uniforms: $151,861
Average property value of Flagler Schools parents for 07-08 who spoke for uniforms: $192,548
Average property value of Flagler Schools parents for 07-08 who opposed uniforms: $120,971
Tell me again that this isn't about money?
Cost is all about perspective. Yes, school uniforms are cheaper - if you are an upper income family who is spending a lot of money on designer label clothes for your child. Uniforms mean being able to replace a few of those expensive purchases with cheaper uniforms.
But for the lower to middle-income families, it will mean more expenditures since you will have to add uniforms to your child's already basic wardrobe so they can have school and play clothes to wear every day.
It's all about your (financial) perspective.
I think a lot of this push for uniforms come from certain people's desires to see Flagler Schools as "elite" schools. When this generation of parents were kids, the only schools that wore uniforms were the special, private schools. I think some people think that we can perhaps add some "class" and desirability to our school system - and thus our community - by dressing up the kids.
Well, you can put a fresh coat of paint on a car that won't run and you know what? It's still not going to run. Put a tux on a skunk and it's still going to stink.
Putting a pretty wrapper on our schools will not change the fact that they have real problems. It will not magically turn our students into idyllic models of learning and citizenship.
Clothing can't instill morals. It takes parents, teachers and other mentors to do that.
The Chamber of Commerce has taken an inappropriate interest in the issue.
Despite reliable studies to the contrary, certain people continue to insist that uniforms are cheaper for families.
Now lets take a look at the attendees at the town meeting on Wednesday night.
Average property value of attendee speaking in favor of uniforms: $284,674
Average property value of attendee speaking against uniforms: $151,861
Average property value of Flagler Schools parents for 07-08 who spoke for uniforms: $192,548
Average property value of Flagler Schools parents for 07-08 who opposed uniforms: $120,971
Tell me again that this isn't about money?
Cost is all about perspective. Yes, school uniforms are cheaper - if you are an upper income family who is spending a lot of money on designer label clothes for your child. Uniforms mean being able to replace a few of those expensive purchases with cheaper uniforms.
But for the lower to middle-income families, it will mean more expenditures since you will have to add uniforms to your child's already basic wardrobe so they can have school and play clothes to wear every day.
It's all about your (financial) perspective.
I think a lot of this push for uniforms come from certain people's desires to see Flagler Schools as "elite" schools. When this generation of parents were kids, the only schools that wore uniforms were the special, private schools. I think some people think that we can perhaps add some "class" and desirability to our school system - and thus our community - by dressing up the kids.
Well, you can put a fresh coat of paint on a car that won't run and you know what? It's still not going to run. Put a tux on a skunk and it's still going to stink.
Putting a pretty wrapper on our schools will not change the fact that they have real problems. It will not magically turn our students into idyllic models of learning and citizenship.
Clothing can't instill morals. It takes parents, teachers and other mentors to do that.
Flagler Schools Parents & Teachers: Save This Date!
More information from the school board town hall meeting on Wednesday will be posted later today.
In the meantime I would like to request that all parents of Flagler Schools students (and teachers as well) please plan on attending the Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 school board meeting at 6pm at the Government Services building in Bunnell. Whether you are for or against the uniform policy, if you are a parent of a Flagler Schools student, or a teacher, I would ask that you please attend that meeting to help request that the school board turn the decision about uniforms over to the parents through a parent survey and vote.
The school board's process up to this point has been severely lacking in public - and specifically parent - input on this matter. They voted on the issue before hearing from parents and staff about it at the town hall meeting. Even at the town hall meeting, about half of the input the board listened to in favor of their uniform policy was from people who are not Flagler Schools parents or staff, people whose lives it will not affect in any way.
Most districts that have started using uniforms have done so only after a parent survey/vote, and I don't believe that the parents of Flagler county should be denied our right to decide what we want for our children in this case.
Representatives of the ACLU will be at the school board meeting again on July 24th to assist Flagler Schools parents in getting back our rights to determine what is best for our kids. It is time to stop playing politics with our kids' education. Please come out to the meeting to show your support for a parent survey, whether you support uniforms or not. Tell the board we want to decide what is right for our kids ourselves.
In the meantime I would like to request that all parents of Flagler Schools students (and teachers as well) please plan on attending the Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 school board meeting at 6pm at the Government Services building in Bunnell. Whether you are for or against the uniform policy, if you are a parent of a Flagler Schools student, or a teacher, I would ask that you please attend that meeting to help request that the school board turn the decision about uniforms over to the parents through a parent survey and vote.
The school board's process up to this point has been severely lacking in public - and specifically parent - input on this matter. They voted on the issue before hearing from parents and staff about it at the town hall meeting. Even at the town hall meeting, about half of the input the board listened to in favor of their uniform policy was from people who are not Flagler Schools parents or staff, people whose lives it will not affect in any way.
Most districts that have started using uniforms have done so only after a parent survey/vote, and I don't believe that the parents of Flagler county should be denied our right to decide what we want for our children in this case.
Representatives of the ACLU will be at the school board meeting again on July 24th to assist Flagler Schools parents in getting back our rights to determine what is best for our kids. It is time to stop playing politics with our kids' education. Please come out to the meeting to show your support for a parent survey, whether you support uniforms or not. Tell the board we want to decide what is right for our kids ourselves.
Tuesday, July 24th, 2007
6pm - 8pm
Board Room, Government Services Building, Bunnell
6pm - 8pm
Board Room, Government Services Building, Bunnell
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Latest Daytona Beach News-Journal Article
Here is the latest article from the News-Journal covering the school board town hall meeting on uniforms last night: School Board: Uniform coming; what kind is the question
A reporter from the Flagler Times was also present so watch for coverage from them as well later this week.
Extensive coverage of last night's events will be posted here later today! It was an eventful evening.
A reporter from the Flagler Times was also present so watch for coverage from them as well later this week.
Extensive coverage of last night's events will be posted here later today! It was an eventful evening.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Why does the Chamber of Commerce care about uniforms?
According to an article in today's Flagler Times, School Superintendent Bill Delbrugge is anticipating receiving a letter of support for a uniform policy in Flagler Schools from the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce.
Since support for business is usually their concern (and not local educational issues), I am curious why the Chamber of Commerce cares about whether there are uniforms in the local school system. Shouldn't that be left up to the parents and educational professionals to decide?
Superintendent Delbrugge says the Chamber of Commerce's interest is because they represent local employers who are concerned about potential employees being taught how to dress appropriately. He says employers want students to learn the difference between "appropriate dress versus beach dress."
It seems to me that forcing students to wear the same thing every day doesn't do anything to teach them judgment and decision-making skills about deciding what is appropriate to wear for a specific situation. It doesn't teach future employees how to determine what is appropriate dress for their place of employment and to follow that guideline. Instead it only teaches them how to obediently wear a uniform. Students learn no "real life" skills from wearing a uniform, other than how to wear a uniform.
Research shows that it costs parents an extra $200-$400 per year per child in clothing expenses when schools have uniforms. With over 11,000 students currently enrolled in Flagler County Schools, that could total at least $2-$4 million in extra clothing expenditures per school year for Flagler County students.
I wonder if that has something to do with the Chamber of Commerce's enthusiastic support of uniforms in Flagler County Schools?
Since support for business is usually their concern (and not local educational issues), I am curious why the Chamber of Commerce cares about whether there are uniforms in the local school system. Shouldn't that be left up to the parents and educational professionals to decide?
Superintendent Delbrugge says the Chamber of Commerce's interest is because they represent local employers who are concerned about potential employees being taught how to dress appropriately. He says employers want students to learn the difference between "appropriate dress versus beach dress."
It seems to me that forcing students to wear the same thing every day doesn't do anything to teach them judgment and decision-making skills about deciding what is appropriate to wear for a specific situation. It doesn't teach future employees how to determine what is appropriate dress for their place of employment and to follow that guideline. Instead it only teaches them how to obediently wear a uniform. Students learn no "real life" skills from wearing a uniform, other than how to wear a uniform.
Research shows that it costs parents an extra $200-$400 per year per child in clothing expenses when schools have uniforms. With over 11,000 students currently enrolled in Flagler County Schools, that could total at least $2-$4 million in extra clothing expenditures per school year for Flagler County students.
I wonder if that has something to do with the Chamber of Commerce's enthusiastic support of uniforms in Flagler County Schools?
Monday, July 9, 2007
Don't forget the school board town hall meeting on uniforms!
The school board is holding a town hall meeting on school uniforms this Wednesday evening at 7pm in the Board Room at the Government Services building in Bunnell.
The Government Services Building is at 1769 East Moody Boulevard, a mile west of the intersection of Belle Terre and S.R.100.
The Government Services Building is at 1769 East Moody Boulevard, a mile west of the intersection of Belle Terre and S.R.100.
Uniform debate hits News-Journal, "Lookism" in schools
The school uniform debate in Flagler Schools once again made the Daytona Beach News-Journal today, complete with pro-con on uniforms: Town Hall Meeting on Uniforms Slated
The "Today" show ran a piece this morning on the latest research on "lookism" among young people. Children as young as 6 years old have been shown to make character judgments based on a person's physical appearance. Research also says that even teachers are guilty of basing judgments of students on how that child looks. Good looking children were assumed to be more intelligent and more personable than less attractive students, even when the teachers were given identical statistics other than photographs to evaluate them by!
Anyone who has ever been to a restaurant or store where a uniform is required to be worn by the staff knows that uniforms just simply look better on some people than on others. Uniforms don't create equality. They actually enforce the social standard of who looks good, since certain people just simply look good in anything. Everyone else, who are encouraged by fashion stylists to "dress to flatter your bodies" are stuck in things that not only don't flatter them but can actually be actively unflattering. The self-esteem blow to a person of being stuck in an unflattering look instead of being able to dress to their best potential can be harsh.
Educating our kids is supposed to be about teaching them self-worth and about teaching them to fulfill their potential. So why then should we limit their potential and tell them they can only look good during school hours if they were born looking a certain way?
The "Today" show ran a piece this morning on the latest research on "lookism" among young people. Children as young as 6 years old have been shown to make character judgments based on a person's physical appearance. Research also says that even teachers are guilty of basing judgments of students on how that child looks. Good looking children were assumed to be more intelligent and more personable than less attractive students, even when the teachers were given identical statistics other than photographs to evaluate them by!
Anyone who has ever been to a restaurant or store where a uniform is required to be worn by the staff knows that uniforms just simply look better on some people than on others. Uniforms don't create equality. They actually enforce the social standard of who looks good, since certain people just simply look good in anything. Everyone else, who are encouraged by fashion stylists to "dress to flatter your bodies" are stuck in things that not only don't flatter them but can actually be actively unflattering. The self-esteem blow to a person of being stuck in an unflattering look instead of being able to dress to their best potential can be harsh.
Educating our kids is supposed to be about teaching them self-worth and about teaching them to fulfill their potential. So why then should we limit their potential and tell them they can only look good during school hours if they were born looking a certain way?
Friday, July 6, 2007
School Board votes on tougher dress code for 2007-2008
The Flagler school board has voted to enact what they describe as a "tougher" dress code for the 2007-2008 school year while they are waiting to put in place the uniform policy during 2008-2009.
The details can be found in the News-Journal's story on the board meeting, but according to the News-Journal "changes" coming include:
It doesn't seem much different from the previous dress code, quoted here from the student manual for last year posted on the district's website:
I'm all for the dress code. Enforce that instead of forcing kids into uniforms that don't actually solve any problems and cause even more expense and work for parents.
The details can be found in the News-Journal's story on the board meeting, but according to the News-Journal "changes" coming include:
· Miniskirts, short shorts or dresses must be 4 inches above the knee.
· No underwear should be seen at any time.
· Shirts must reach the belt line of pants or be long enough to get tucked in.
· Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed (this includes those with wheels and possibly flip flops).
· All pants must be properly sized and worn secured at the waist level.
It doesn't seem much different from the previous dress code, quoted here from the student manual for last year posted on the district's website:
1. Short shorts/micro-mini skirts or dresses must be no shorter than the length of the student's longest finger with their arms relaxed at their side.Looks like the only real change is the definition of how the skirts are measured and the inclusion of footwear in the code. The real question is - will there be actual enforcement of the dress code now? The uniform debate wouldn't even be happening if the existing code had been enforced.
2. Hats, headgear, or any head covering (bandanas, sweatbands, du-rags) are not allowed.
3. Tops must be long enough to clearly overlap the belt line or stay tucked in during the course of the normal movement throughout the school day.
4. Bare midriff tops, halters, revealing tops, tank tops, muscle shirts, mesh clothing, see-through clothing, blouses or shirts with string straps are not allowed.
5. Underwear, including bra straps or boxer shorts that show is not allowed.
6. Underwear and sleepwear as outer clothing are not allowed.
7. Tight fitting clothing or spandex-type material that is not covered by other clothing is not allowed.
8. Clothes or tattoos that show profanity, violence, sexually suggestive phrases or pictures, gang related symbols, alcohol, tobacco, drugs or advertisements for such products or other phrases or symbols deemed inappropriate by the administration will not be allowed.
9. Wearing apparel, which tends to identify association with secret societies or gangs as prohibited in Florida Statues are not allowed.
10. No sunglasses can be worn inside buildings.
11. Wallet chains or dog collars are not allowed.
12. Chains in excess of 12” that hang outside clothing are not allowed.
13. Jewelry that presents a safety or health hazard or causes a major disruption to the educational process is not allowed.
14. Footwear that is a safety hazard will not be allowed. (i.e. footwear with wheels, including but not limited to Healy’s)
15. Clothing which is not worn appropriately, is not properly fastened, or has tears that are indecent will not be permitted.
16. All trousers, including oversized or low-hanging trousers, must be worn and secured at waist level.
17. Clothing must be free of intentional holes or rips that are 4” above knee. This can cause a distraction to the educational environment.
Students who are considered to be dressed inappropriately or who violate above guidelines will be sent to the office. The administration/designee shall determine whether a mode of dress is in violation of the district Dress Code Policy. In cases where a student is inappropriately dressed, arrangements will be made with the parents for an appropriate change of clothing. In the case of high school students, with parent authorization, the child may be sent home for a change of clothing.
Students who are sent to the office more than one time for Dress Code violations will be subject to disciplinary measures.
I'm all for the dress code. Enforce that instead of forcing kids into uniforms that don't actually solve any problems and cause even more expense and work for parents.
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