Parents Say Dress Code Policy Too Strict
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Parents Say Dress Code Policy Too Strict
Parents Say Dress Code Policy Too Strict
School uniform policies have hit many schools across the east and schools are going to great lengths to enforce them.
On just day two of the 2008-2009 school year, 60 students at one high school in Greene County faced in-school suspension.
“I think it makes a difference for the moral of the child”, said Gloria Busch. I think you can learn better when you’re not focused on clothes.”
But what happens when you thought what you were buying was the dress code?
JC Chavis sent his son, Greene Central high freshman Eric Sinclair to school, but he never made it to class, “The teacher asked the people—students stand up and let them check to see if they got any pockets so they sent everybody to the gym,” Eric said.
Since the start of the school year the school’s biggest problems have been students wearing belts—which either have to be black or brown—and also khaki’s made by Dickies which feature a cargo pocket.
The problem is, those are the exact pants Chavis bought his son and Eric ended up with 60 other students on in-house suspension for a uniform violation.
The districts uniform policy states in section 1e: No pants or shorts with pockets halfway down the legs including cargo pants.
School superintendent Patrick Miller says parents have had the policy since July 14th.
But Chavis says the punishment is too harsh for a simple mistake. A mistake that he says cost him $400.
“If you want it, provide it for us,” Chavis said. “Why do we have to go out and spend our money out of our pockets…get uniforms and then you complain [about] what we got.“
Millers adds, “We are trying to send the message that this policy—we’re serious and we’re going to enforce this policy.“
Miller says follow the dress code or face in-school suspension.
Miller tells Nine On Your Side the district offers a Clothing Closet, where students can wear hand-me-down uniforms which meet the policy until they can buy their own.
He also says the Kinston Goodwill Industries is offering tops and bottoms for $2-$3.
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Reader Reactions
But that is just the problem Atoz. These schools want to make sure the students and parents know they mean business and it has gone to nit picking everything down to the shade of their shirts. I agree with another poster that if the school systems had enforced the regular dress code in the first place we wouldnt be in this situation right now. If the kids who wore their pants down at their knees or shirts 5 sizes to big and all the other things we see these days were addressed in the first place, everyone who sent their child out the door knowing they were dressed appropriately,would not be dealing with this issue now. These school administrators need to quit nit picking and teach our children. North Carolina has some of the lowest scores of any state, but we are pulling kids out of class because they have the wrong shade of shirt or the khaki pants are really not khaki, they are too light. In craven county it goes right down to the socks being plain and of uniform color and it makes no sense. Also, if the students have to wear uniforms, so should the teachers. When I picked up my child yesterday I saw teachers with opened toed shoes (oh my)..sleeveless shirts, shorts, and some just plain sloppy. I think they should have to wear the same uniform as the children do, and if they do not meet the requirements, send them home!
I love the new “uniform” thing. So glad not as many “cracks” will be showing in the classroom. I have to admit I was quite upset when my 4th grader came home with what I call a “ticket” from the “fashion police”. His shirt was not the “right shade of green”. It was too dark. Give me a break..our good tax money is being wasted on paper with all these “tickets” over a shirt being a hair too light or too dark. Come on Principal Singleton, lets use some Common Sense!! If I donate my “wrong colored” shirts to some of the poor children who CAN’T afford uniforms, would you let them wear them? I would sure hope someone would have some compassion.
Shoppers, don’t forget to take your “color swatches” to the stores when you go shopping. If not, you’re sure to receive a “ticket” from the Pitt County Schools Fashion Police.
I agree to an extent of the uniform dress code. I am a parent and understand why the punishments are too harsh. First off we looked forward to the change hoping that it would bring a positive light to the schools. Then when school starts we as parents are being called about how what we have purchased uniforms that doesn’t meet the standards. If the hype of the school uniforms was so important I feel that the school board should provide school uniforms. It would be just as students are provided uniforms for sport activities and for the JROTC programs. Then they don’t have to worry about the school uniforms we purchased not meeting their standards.
Do we live in the United States of America or China/Russia? I am a former Craven County School teacher who has a child in the middle school here in New Bern and I think they have taken things way too far. I do not agree with the uniform policy being so strict. Nice pants with collared shirts is ok, but when you go down to telling them what color socks to wear, what color belt to wear and what color hair ribbons the girls can wear in their hair, it has just gone to far. I just received a call from my daughter’s school from the gentleman who runs “chill out”. He told me my daughter was sent to him to get an appropriate belt because though she had on a brown belt, it had really tiny polka dots on it and it was not uniform code. So, for this infraction, my daughter who is a straight A student, was pulled out of class (missing instructional time) to go to chill out and have the man give her a belt to wear and she has to have a slip signed by me tonight. Can’t the school system pick their battles? This is utterly ridiculous. Kids at this age so want to be able to express themselves. I think there are definitely inappropriate things that kids wear to school and I can understand the concern about that, however, again, they are taking this too far. Next thing you know, they will be telling us what color underwear our kids can wear. I was a teacher for special education for 5 years and when my kids came to school, I was glad they were there. DId I check them for belts or to make sure their socks were uniform color? No I didnt. I had more important things on my mind, like teaching, not policing and making my students feel bad if they forgot their belt! As you can tell, I am very passionate about this issue. The uniform policy at many schools is causing lost instructional time and is truly defeating the purpose that it was intended. Lisa Morton Toler
I was against the dress code because I felt that if the old dress code had of been enforced there wouldn’t have been any problems. I also feel like the teachers should have to follow the same dress code because they are supposed to be setting the example. However, I will be the first to say that I was impressed with the way the kids looked on the first day of school. But I think the school system is being a little too strict. They have gone from one end of the spectrum to the other. 1c of the dress code states: Must be free of graphics and embroidery. With the exception of small labels, they may not have insignias, logos, words, or pictures. This is referring to bottoms, so what is wrong with Dickies? It’s just a label. As for the belts, at West Greene during 3rd grade orientation parents were told that girls did not have to wear belts or their shirts tucked in but the code was changed. Yes they sent home a copy but if there had been changes they should have been pointed out. I have been to every store in Goldsboro, Kinston and Greenville including their websites and cannot find a belt for my child. They do not carry belts in the girls department. Now they tell me I can go to a uniform shop and buy pants that have belts made in them. Well what about the 5 uniform bottoms that I had to order online so she would meet the requirements? I really think some people need to get off their high horses and quit worrying about appearing weak and make a compromise. A child that looks presentable should not be removed from his/her class because of a slight infraction. Look at what’s important here, our children’s education.
If school officials want students to wear uniforms at parents expense, the school board should furnish uniforms free of charge. Then all parents would have to worry about is keeping the uniforms clean. Uniforms have nothing to do with what or how a child learns. Just take a look at Washington High School in Beaufort County. They have seen a higher increase in dropouts since the uniform policy started. Get on the internet and check out the report card for Washington High School. They have failed to properly educated our kids, yet everything remains the same. If school boards demand uniforms for kids, then faculty members should also have to buy extra clothing (just for school)as well. It is a double expense to buy school uniforms AND everyday clothing for our kids. Every school had a dress policy in place before the uniform policy took place, but the policies were never followed nor enforced. My question is WHY???
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