Our entire school system (65,000 students) has had a mandatory uniform policy for about 10 years. I've only had to deal with it for 2 years, but I love it. It is much cheaper than buying the trendy stuff that every kid wants. Luckily, my daughter's school switched this year (ouch-new uniforms for kindergarten, then different uniforms for 1st grade) but it was for the best--we went from plaid (more like private school & more expensive) to solids that match the school we feed into. Most schools around here have some variation of khaki pants/shorts/
skirts/jumpers and solid polo-type shirts. Most of these items can be purchased for about $10-15 each around here (deep south). All the local stores carry them--from high end to the dollar store. I didn't live here when the policy was implemented but I'm sure there were the standard arguments. On a different note, I am a product of this school system, as well, and I wish that we had worn uniforms back then. I came from a large, poor family and the middle-school self-consciousness was absolutely horrible. I would have been happier if "status" clothes were not an issue. The only people who complain about uniforms these days are the ones who get in trouble for violations--these are very few and far between. Also, one of the things that our PTO tries to do is keep a supply of various uniform items for children who might need them.

I'm not a fan of uniforms because I don't believe that the research backs up the assertion that uniforms will improve academics or behavior (vs., it might improve those). My son has attended three schools, two that required uniforms and one that didn't, while my dd is in her first year at a uniform school. I didn't notice a difference in the behavior of the overall student population at any of the three schools. Now, my particular son's behavior was worse two of the three years he was in uniformed schools, but for reasons completely unrelated to his uniform! At the same time, I also do not believe that we are hurting kids from expressing their individuality. My son and daughter actually think it's cool that everyone's clothes are like theirs. My son will probably never care about what he wears to school, and there is actually quite a variety for girls' uniforms (pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, capri's, vests, sweaters etc). By the time they get old enough to truly care about individuality, they'll be in high school, which is uniform free.

Originally posted by <hello>:
According to the Bingham Young University Education and law yournal there has been no prrof that uniforms fix a schools dicipline problem. For all we know it could be creating a worse habitat for children. With uniforms teenagers aren't able to express their individuality.

Well,I'm going to keep going by the results I have personaly seen everyday for the last seven years. Sure we still have disruptive students and some fighting but not NEAR as bad as it was before the uniforms. We have seen at our school more of an issue with problems at home for these children than the fact they are asked to wear blue pants and white shirts. To be specific, they are mad at Mom and Dad for this choice, not the school.
As far as my 14yr old expressing herself, she has her art class, music and she is the producer of the school's news channel. She can die her hair purple when she is 18. No that's not being mean in any way, I just want some structure at school and my kids know they can be themselves at home....where they are suppose to feel like and be....

Plus the fact you are giving me facts from an ultra conservative school,forgive me but I am having a hard time taking advise from a school than frowns on a girls wearing a sleeveless top. Most of our families are of the Mormon faith and LOVE the structure our charter school offers.

[ 03-09-2005, 12:54 PM: Message edited by: mykidsmom ]

According to the Bingham Young University Education and law yournal there has been no prrof that uniforms fix a schools dicipline problem. For all we know it could be creating a worse habitat for children. With uniforms teenagers aren't able to express their individuality.

All elementary schools have to wear uniforms around here, but the Jr and High School don't. There's still a dress code, but no mandatory uniforms. Each year, the PTO at my daughter's elementary school sells t-shirts with the school logo and mascot as a fundraiser. Every Friday, the principal allows the students to wear jeans and their school t-shirt. The day before a holiday, the students are allowed a free dress day. They get to wear anything they want (within reason of course) to school - that's like once a month or so. To improve PTO attendance, the students whose parents attended the monthly meeting are allowed a free dress day the following day. To raise funds, periodically we also charge a $1 for free dress days at the school. Anyway, although the school is a mandatory uniform school, there are several days a month when kids are allowed to express their "individuality".

Originally posted by mykidsmom:
[QB] Have you tried Sears? They actually have a guarentee on their kids stuff! My oldest daughter would wear out her jeans before she out grew them and they would replace them. I would check into it! I think they carry French Toast uniforms.

That is an EXCELLENT idea, and I can't believe it never occurred to me. My son is really small for his age, and while he prays for a growth spurt, I could probably really get my dollar's worth out of that.

Now this may sound crazy, I try to Scotch Guard the boys white shirts but they can also wear navy blue so guess what they wear more!!

Another idea worth giving a shot! Unfortunately our policy is strictly white shirts only. The white collared button down shirts are actually pretty stain resistant, but my son hates the texture and begs for the polo style.

I was wondering where you lived that uniforms went on sale! In our stores, after school has been back in session about a month, they might go down to 10% off, but I have never seen a rack full of uniforms with a 50 or 75 % off sign on top. Since we only have two seasons here, it's always been really easy for me to buy 'off season'. One year I got my (then) 3yo daughter five complete outfits at Babies R Us for about $20. I bought them in size 48 mos in February and just saved them until the next November. I usually do the same thing for 'March thru October' around Halloween.