More Knox County schools could have their own dress codes next year

[Lola Alapo]

After the success of dress standards at two Knox County high schools, about 20 other schools are thinking about implementing their own.
They're careful not to call them uniforms.

See the story at http://knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/21/20-more-knox-schools-interested/

What do you think about schools having their own dress standards? How do you think this will impact students? parents' wallets?

Lola Alapo
K-12 Education Reporter
Knoxville News Sentinel

[Christina Southern]

Here is the latest News Sentinel story on this topic: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jan/27/school-dress-codes/

[d. count]

Having a dress "code" is ok. There should be a set standard. However, I am opposed to a uniform and the wearing of certain colors. This year at Fulton "spirit week" was cancelled out because of the uniforms. This was boring and lame. Some seniors called it quits in December graduating early. All "freshman" ie "fresh meat" wear maroon. Think they don't get teased? Uniforms are a bad idea for public schools in my opinion. I believe students should wear what they like as long as it is not offensive or distasteful.

[Mom Knox]

It would be interesting to get Mr. McIntyre's take on this. Although I couldn't find any specific dress policy, I did find this information on the Boston Public Schools website. So, i guess, a parent there, is allowed to have the uniform policy waived for their child. See below...

For schools which have adopted a mandatory uniform policy, students whose parents have requested a waiver of the policy will not be subject to loss of any school privileges for failure to wear a uniform. In cases where a waiver has not been requested, the child may be subject to loss of school privileges after notice has been given to the parent and a second offer made to the parent to request a waiver from the uniform policy.

[Lisa Starbuck]

I wonder how students who are not able to buy the uniforms themselves handle the dress requirement? Is there a program that helps?

[granma2]

I don't think fee waiver covers clothing; however, Knox County has a clothing center for children whose parents need help with clothing. It's available to anyone.

[Mom Knox]

I've found this on the clothing center's newsletter:

We also have a need for collared polo-type shirts. A couple of our Knox County High
Schools implemented “professional/campus gear attire” and the Center is currently unable to provide the shirts. Colors needed are: red, white, black, Columbia blue, maroon and grey. These shirts can be new and/or gently used. Austin East High also implemented a policy on pants, shorts, and skirts. This school now requires black or khaki bottoms. Since we do serve students from this school, we will need donations of
these items as well.

The purpose of the Knox County Schools/PTA Clothing Center is to provide clothing assistance for students enrolled in our Knox County Public Schools who have a financial need.

Referrals come from the students’ Teacher, Principal, School Secretary, Guidance Counselor, or Social Worker. The Federal Free and Reduced Meal Program guidelines are used as a basis for qualification. The final determination is based on the need of the child. See Procedures & Policies for more detailed information about our services. The Center also clothes students in emergency situations (fire, displacement, etc.).

[Jen Clemons]

I am not opposed to dress codes. Having all children look the same can be an advantage to poor children. My opinion is mainly based on how ridiculous children, especially teenagers look these days. I am tired of the argument that children need to express themselves. Look at where this has gotten us today. Children look as if they have no respect for themselves or their bodies. There is a direct correlation to dress and behavior. The hair dye, the piercings and the exposure of skin has gone too far. It is such a distraction and does not prepare a child for the working world in which they will someday be a part of in society. Kids can express themselves on weekends for the parents who feel their child's creativity is being compromised. Are these children really at school to learn or make a statement?

[Mike Norris]

HMM. So not only should we tell them what to wear, but we should ban them from school if their hair is not the right color or their ears are pierced more than once. Maybe in certain cases we might allow two piercings if for religious preferences. Seriously though, I agree that teens today are pushing the boundries, kinda like the 60's with all those long haired, free love, hippie types. I really don't like what I see walking into the schools, but when you start to try to regulate every aspect of appearance you are walking a slippery slope in the rain with dress shoes made of eel skin. I think I want what you want, but I'm not sure if this is how the goal can be reached. We need to work together as parents, teachers, principals, and yes students to provide our youth with the best education and opportunity available.

[Roxy Hodge]

Agree with the slippery slope we are on. As for the name brands I also agree it can be a give and take or gift purchase. Hollister has 50.00 khaki's on sale for 16.00 now, Aeropostle has jeans for 19.00 American Eagle has the best sales monthly, these are same or better prices and better quality than some other stores. We have food police and now clothing police are coming to our schools. I agree to standards of respect of dress but are we so incompetent to decide this for ourselves? Can't the code we have now be enforced or is it just easier to say let's all dress alike so we don't have to make a decision?

[Deborah Dickerson]

First, let me say that we lived in England for three years, and my oldest daughter attended British schools where everyone wears uniforms. I loved it - it made life so easy! The kids did not seem to worry about "expressing their individuality" - there are so many other ways to do that. I do not understand the people who keep stating that they don't want to buy a separate set of clothes that will be worn only at school. What about khaki or black pants and polo shirts makes them inappropriate for out-of-school wear? Where we lived, kids just wore their uniforms all day (to after-school activities, shopping and so forth), and we ended up buying fewer "out of school" clothes because they really only wore them on weekends. The proposed uniforms here are a lot less "uniformy" looking that what we had there, and could easily be worn all day without the kids having to change clothes after school (aside from the obvious needing to change for soccer practice, etc., which they'd need to do anyway).

As far as parents being able to afford the uniforms, the PTA at each school ran a consignment shop (open every day the first week of school and after that usually one day a week before and after school) of used and outgrown uniforms, and I got a lot of our stuff second-hand through that and other hand-me-downs. That may not benefit kids during the first year or two of a new uniform policy, but after that there should be no problem finding inexpensive second-hand clothing at consignment shops, the KCS clothing center, and other places.

I'm disappointed that Fulton cancelled Spirit Week due to the uniforms. I see nothing wrong with having a few fun days for various reasons during the year where the kids can let go a little, as long as they continue to adhere to certain dress standards (the ones we have now) on the designated days that they wear something other than their uniform. I also think that wearing colors according to your year in school is not the best of ideas - someone mentioned that it invites teasing of the freshmen, who are now easily picked out of the crowd. I'd point out that it also means that you can't use a shirt from year to year but have to invest in a new set of a different color each year, whether you've outgrown the old ones or not. I prefer to have everyone in a particular school wear the same thing, particularly if it can be the school colors (i.e., Bearden wears maroon, Hardin Valley wears blue) - show some school spirit!

[Jen Clemons]

Thank you for your great comments based on experience Deborah.

[Aaron]

I think that school dress codes may have some benefits, but the negatives are too strong. Uniforms and dress codes that are intended to place people into categories for easy identification and herding will have the effect (intended or not) of producing people without individual identity. The issue isn't the clothing itself, it's the message that is being sent. The message is: you are not an individual. You are a drone in the ranks of the freshman class, or junior class, etc. The military uses uniforms to demolish individuality, increase unit identity, and promote ease of identification of rank and job. The intent is to force individuals to become part of a collective and well-ordered whole. This may be necessary for the military, but it is very dangerous for a society and for children who are supposed to be growing up as free-thinking individuals.