So, I was at ballet with Anna and Leah yesterday. They were so sweet prancing around in their pink tutus! Then the teacher turned on this song and told them to take turns chasse-ing around the floor. UGH. Thank you Little Einsteins for ruining all classical music for me! I'm listening to this beautiful arrangement singing "I lost my baton. Have you seen my baton? Have you seen the bald eagle who took my baton?" Once the the music loaded, did anyone else hum that little tune in your head? If you did, I'm sorry. If not, be grateful. hahaha!!
Also, our school district is pushing for uniforms. I am very passionately opposed to uniforms. I decided to exercise my first amendment rights, and express my freedom of speech. Not sure if it will change anything, but not saying anything would definitely not make a difference. I just decided to include this in my blog so my posterity will know that I put up a good fight for the "really important" issues in life. HA!
I am writing this letter as a parent who has three children that attend Mark Twain School. I was able to have my parent teacher conferences last week, and I was asked to give an opinion on school uniforms. I wanted to write this letter and express my opposition to requiring uniforms. Here are my reasons:
1.) No individuality. My daughters love using their clothes as an additional way to learn. For example, if they are studying a unit on farm animals, they like to wear a shirt with horses on it. They are learning to read, and they love to try and read the words printed on fellow student’s shirts. They are developing a sense of style, and I like to encourage that. I don’t think it will help foster an environment for learning when everyone looks the same. We’re different, and I think that should be expressed by what my children choose to wear. As long as it follows the guidelines of the school’s dress code.
2.) Enforce the dress code in place. Mark Twain has a dress code already in place. Why do we need to place more restrictions on what is considered “appropriate school attire”?
3.) Kids can tell who the “haves” and “have nots” are. I cannot be convinced that children in the same clothing are going to look the same as far as their social status is concerned. There will still be problems with ill-fitting clothing, dirty clothing, ripped or torn clothing, or subtle gang symbols expressed through dress. A uniform is not going to change that.
4.) Financial support to those students who cannot afford them. We have a unique student body at Mark Twain. Many of the students are on free and reduced lunches or other government funded programs, which I am completely supportive of. However, if these children cannot afford the required uniform, who will pay for that? These children are already coming to school each day dressed. I think the staff’s time would be much better used teaching our students rather than telling them what to wear, or sending them home because they aren’t wearing a red polo shirt.
I understand I am a minority in my opinion. However, I feel like parents and school districts alike are jumping on the “uniform bandwagon” without having substantial evidence to support their theory on how uniforms make the world a better place. How will this create a better learning environment for my children? How will dressing like everyone else be helpful to my children? Who is going to be paying for this program to be implemented? Who will be paying to the uniforms of those in need of assistance?
Thank you for taking the time to hear my concerns.
Sincerely,
Alison Roylance
1.) No individuality. My daughters love using their clothes as an additional way to learn. For example, if they are studying a unit on farm animals, they like to wear a shirt with horses on it. They are learning to read, and they love to try and read the words printed on fellow student’s shirts. They are developing a sense of style, and I like to encourage that. I don’t think it will help foster an environment for learning when everyone looks the same. We’re different, and I think that should be expressed by what my children choose to wear. As long as it follows the guidelines of the school’s dress code.
2.) Enforce the dress code in place. Mark Twain has a dress code already in place. Why do we need to place more restrictions on what is considered “appropriate school attire”?
3.) Kids can tell who the “haves” and “have nots” are. I cannot be convinced that children in the same clothing are going to look the same as far as their social status is concerned. There will still be problems with ill-fitting clothing, dirty clothing, ripped or torn clothing, or subtle gang symbols expressed through dress. A uniform is not going to change that.
4.) Financial support to those students who cannot afford them. We have a unique student body at Mark Twain. Many of the students are on free and reduced lunches or other government funded programs, which I am completely supportive of. However, if these children cannot afford the required uniform, who will pay for that? These children are already coming to school each day dressed. I think the staff’s time would be much better used teaching our students rather than telling them what to wear, or sending them home because they aren’t wearing a red polo shirt.
I understand I am a minority in my opinion. However, I feel like parents and school districts alike are jumping on the “uniform bandwagon” without having substantial evidence to support their theory on how uniforms make the world a better place. How will this create a better learning environment for my children? How will dressing like everyone else be helpful to my children? Who is going to be paying for this program to be implemented? Who will be paying to the uniforms of those in need of assistance?
Thank you for taking the time to hear my concerns.
Sincerely,
Alison Roylance
7 comments:
However the school dress thing turns out, good for you for writing the school board. I think that you did a great job expressing yourself.
I actually agree and am grateful that my children do not have to wear uniforms.
Totally had to laugh at 'have you seen the bald eagle that took my baton?' LOL The one I end up singing the most is "you can do it Carmine, you can win the race because you are an amazing music car!" as we drive down Carmine Street!
I wrote up a similar note on my survey - filled the whole front & back! LOL My main concern was that the cost/benefit scale was severely unbalanced, in my opinion. We are a 6-person family living on a single income. We are *not* part of the free/reduced lunch program (like 85% of the school), although we would qualify. I just don't feel like it's fair to expect the school to cover my children's meals when a few sacrifices & adjustments on our end make it possible for me to feed my own children. I don't have an iPhone, we don't have a super-mega-ultra TV package, I don't get my nails done, we don't spend $5 on a cup of something from Starbucks. We make it work. I realize there are many, many families that *can't* make sacrifices to make it work & I feel that they are the ones the program was intended for.
Because of that need for frugality, the majority of my kids' clothing comes from hand-me-downs and clearance racks. If I can't get a shirt for less than $5 I don't buy it. So if we have to add in the expense of uniforms, at a modest estimate of $10/shirt, times 5 shirts per kid each week, times 3 kids (soon enough it'll be 4) that's an extra $150 in just shirts. And 5 shirts per kid definitely won't be enough. Times that by 2, more likely 3, over the course of the school year. I don't have a spare $450 to throw at uniform shirts because someone thought it sounded like a good idea.
And what about the 85% of the student population on the F/R lunch program? Who pays for their shirts? Are the benefits of uniforms really that significant that we can sacrifice thousands of dollars from other funded programs just to have common dress? I realize there are probably benefits to uniforms as the children move up into Middle school & High school - modesty, gangs, etc. But are there truly that many issues on a K-5 level that this is even necessary?
I just do not see a balance in cost/benefit. Not at all. All I see is cost.
What a complainer! Sheesh!
I completley agree with you. I am so glad that our school is not in uniforms. Good for you for writing. I am so jealous of you ability to express yourself so clearly. You'll have to tell us how it turns out. Love you!
Amen sister! Good luck with the fight. Just know that there are very strict guidelines that the school has to follow in order to get in put into place. Our did not follow them, but by the time I found out about it, it was too late. The school has to set up a parent based uniform committee. That is in the School District "rules" ours did not do that. Just make sure that they follow everything to the letter!
that is a very good letter. i feel the same way. so far our school district hasn't been talking about but you never know! you are a good mom:)
its all about control, its all about bigger and better. i agree and weve talked about this very topic before ali while cutting my hair. Its very madning for sure. The deciding factor for fritsch school came after several visits to pta meetings and school uniform meetings resulting in 4 little voices not giving up and fighting for whats right. you may be small in numbers but youre mighty in spirit and conviction. dont give up you can win this. best advice is to convince your princaple to send out a letter to parents stating an equal amount of pros and cons. Lori Crossman formulated an excellent letter to parents and onces the eyes of parents were opened and they were able to read and gain knowledge of both sides the decision was to hold off on uniforms resulting in a victory for us small group of 4 moms fighting for our kids rights. call me or text if you would like me to send you over the info we researched and came up with. good luck.
Grrrrrrr to elementary school uniforms. I love them for middle school, but there is no need, no reason in elementary school.
Post a Comment