Dress code prompts suit against Anderson schools

Indianapolis students upset by the prospect of a strict new dress code coming this fall might want to keep an eye on the Madison County courts.

[ann]

so are the partens not going to buy there kids school cloths this year? I think uniforms are a great idea.

[ann]

sorry parents

[History Teacher]

This is one of the most ridiculous, whiny, and illogical arguements I have every heard. Since when does the right of a free education say ANYTHING about the clothes that may or may not be worn? And the complaint about the cost...give me a break...what a non-issue. Every single retail store is having a sale on these type clothes for kids. Shirts for as low as $4.50 and pants from $7-10. How in the world is THAT going to affect any single household? These same parents would have spent MUCH more than that on the types of clothing that their beloved little angels would have DEMANDED them to buy anyway.

That's right, I said "demanded." These parents are obviously the kind who cannot say "no" to their children. I see it every single day. Shoes costing $100-150; sweaters up to $200; and other popular name-brand styles of jeans each one over $50 apiece--and that's from the students who receive FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES (and breakfast)--allegedly the ones too poor to buy their kids a lunch costing a couple of bucks!

No, this is really a case of spoiled parents, who have raised another generation of spoiled children. Me, me, me. It isn't going to harm these children one iota to have to dress up for 8 hours a day. And please don't give me the arguement that "research studies" prove this or don't prove that. Just use common sense and get off your high horse!

Most people have to wear certain types of clothing when they go to work. I certainly cannot wear shorts and a t-shirt when I teach! It doesn't destroy our personality to wear nice clothes for 8 hours a day, and it won't do so to the children either. Believe me, they will find ways of showing their "individuality" whether it be in dying their hair green or having 14 piercings on their face! But don't get me started on the parents who allow their children to look like an escapee from a freak show!?!

Parents need to quit being their child's "best friend" and become a parent who sets reasonable and sensible guidelines!

[ProspectorBill]

Can't wait for Franklin to jump on this.To all the traditional posters, remember freedom isn't free.

[Buck]

Get over it parents, your kids need to dress like young adults and not hookers and gangbangers!

[why]

Dressing may rub-off on the kids and they may act more responsible. It also may give them some persona; pride in themselves.

[row]

who is bying your f.....g sockes and tee shurts..

[Indycaver]

ProspectorBill wrote:

Can't wait for Franklin to jump on this.To all the traditional posters, remember freedom isn't free.

Education isn't free either ... as our property taxes prove. Those parents need to get a grip and tow the line.

[CR Eastes]

History Teacher wrote:

This is one of the most ridiculous, whiny, and illogical arguements I have every heard. Since when does the right of a free education say ANYTHING about the clothes that may or may not be worn? And the complaint about the cost...give me a break...what a non-issue. Every single retail store is having a sale on these type clothes for kids. Shirts for as low as $4.50 and pants from $7-10. How in the world is THAT going to affect any single household? These same parents would have spent MUCH more than that on the types of clothing that their beloved little angels would have DEMANDED them to buy anyway.
That's right, I said "demanded." These parents are obviously the kind who cannot say "no" to their children. I see it every single day. Shoes costing $100-150; sweaters up to $200; and other popular name-brand styles of jeans each one over $50 apiece--and that's from the students who receive FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES (and breakfast)--allegedly the ones too poor to buy their kids a lunch costing a couple of bucks!
No, this is really a case of spoiled parents, who have raised another generation of spoiled children. Me, me, me. It isn't going to harm these children one iota to have to dress up for 8 hours a day. And please don't give me the arguement that "research studies" prove this or don't prove that. Just use common sense and get off your high horse!
Most people have to wear certain types of clothing when they go to work. I certainly cannot wear shorts and a t-shirt when I teach! It doesn't destroy our personality to wear nice clothes for 8 hours a day, and it won't do so to the children either. Believe me, they will find ways of showing their "individuality" whether it be in dying their hair green or having 14 piercings on their face! But don't get me started on the parents who allow their children to look like an escapee from a freak show!?!
Parents need to quit being their child's "best friend" and become a parent who sets reasonable and sensible guidelines!

WELL "HAT'S OFF TO ONE HISTORY TEACHER" -!!(only one -??)

A TRUTHFUL and REALISTIC statement of FACT -!
Your words were carefully chosen and "Hit the nail on the head".

You were on such a roll with that, that you failed to mention those same underprivileged children of POOR parents still manage to acquire BOOM Box's for entertainment (?) and keep up with the latest video game equipment (for education enhancement -??).

Sure goes to show where/what those "WANT - TO - BE PARENTS" interests and concerns are focused on -??

Those so-called parents in this suit should place themselves in front of a TV with their "well educated child" and watch that program "Are You As Smart As A 5th Grader". Neither would probably go very far.

However in their minds that would probably not prove anything.
Yet those parents continue to except students being turned out to pasture (society) with the lacking education needed.

Has it become a question of:
See Mommy & Daddy "I - R Smart" -??
or:
Gee Mommy & Daddy thank you for my "Funky Looking Clothes" that's cool -??
I guess it is so they can be like Mommy & Daddy -!

And to think some of these students may be leading our Country some day -?
That is a fearsome thought.

[karensflowers]

The parents are wrong in this case.

[Cal]

(former teacher/current parent)

Along with the other comments made on this issue, I strongly believe that dress codes are necessary. I provides less distractions and will save families money.
I know someone mentioned not to bring up studies - but most studies actually indicate a positive correlation between dress codes and student behavior/safety.
Nevertheless, if these two parents are serious about there children's education this would be a NON issue. There are other interest at hand here and that is absolutely unacceptable!!
It's about our kids education - PERIOD.
Let me ask this - what are the potential risks of uniforms vs the potential benefits? The answers to this questions alone should have us all jumping up and down for uniforms - the risk vs reward equation heavely favors uniforms.
lastly, i grabbed some quotes from other parents and studies and pasted them below. Read on if you wish...
****(quote from others)
One of the chief benefits of school uniforms, is that they make schools safer. Uniforms are said to reduce gang influence, minimize violence by reducing some sources of conflict, and help to identify trespassers. Parents benefit because they are no longer pressured to buy the latest fashions, and they spend less on their children's clothing.
Uniforms are also claimed to help erase cultural and economic differences among students, set a tone for serious study, facilitate school pride, and improve attendance (Cohn 1996, Loesch 1995, Paliokos and others 1996).
***uniforms enhance students' self-concepts, classroom behavior, and academic performance (Caruso 1996).

[Lord Garth of Izar]

That's pretty funny, suing because they have to buy clothes for their kids. I mean, really, it's a hardship to buy pants? Did these people's kids go to school naked before this?

I'm sure whatever the cost of the clothes are, they will be a reduction from the chic crap the kids were wearing before, which the same parents paid for without a gripe.

It's not like the school is requiring Elvis-esque solid gold jumpsuits or anything. Just dark pants and a solid-colored shirt. They could easily get 20 pairs of such clothes from Walmart for what they paid to retain the lawyer to file this idiotic lawsuit.

[Said It All]

History Teacher said it all.

Thanks!!!

[DEE PLAINFIELD]

GO STATE WIDE ON THE UNIFORMS WE HAD TO DRESS IN SKIRTS AND BLOUSES OR DRESSES GUYS DRESSED IN NICE JEANS HAIR COMBED AND THEIR SHIRTS TUCKED IN HUM THAT WAS IN 1950 I ALSO DRESSED MY SONS THAT WAY IT SURE MADE THEM RESPECT THE TEACHERS AND IT DIDN'T BOTHER THEM

[Kumar]

Easy solution.

End all free lunch programs and divert the money to buying wal-mart quality uniforms for the kids. Some districts give over 50% of their lunches out for free, some even server free breakfast.

You can have your 'free education', which you think should include clothing now, but the provision mentions nothing about feeding your kid.

[Mediocrity]

Dress codes help everyone have a "mediocrity" mindset. That's exactly what we need. More mediocrity minded people in this world. Let the kids strive to be better than others. Stop telling successful parents how to dress their children.

[J Thomas]

I was born in Indy and lived there until I had children. I could see the rising murder rate and knew that the schools were a lot rougher than when I was a kid. I wanted my children to grow up in a place where they could play outside safely and whee they would be well educated. I could see the hyprocisy of simply moving to Carmel or Greenwood... so I moved to another state. I won't say where, because I don't want any of you trying to follow me.
The schools here are excellent and there is no dress code. In fact, the schools encourage diversity and creative thought. Standardized test scores are also quite good and the majority of kids graduate high school. Parents are involved in the schools and the murder rate across the state in a year is less than what Indy has in a week. I am not lying.
So folks, realize that the school uniform issue is like cake icing spread over garbage. It doesn't change what is underneath. A dress code is not necessary for good schools and it is not likely to change the real problems. That is, it doesn't change parental involvement or the community's investment in childrens' education. If I were still in Indy, I would fight against school uniforms, not because I spoil my kids (I don't), but because it is superficial and wrong for the State to tell MY children what to wear. Plus, it won't do a darned thing. The real solutions are less easy and less tangible. The folks responding here who sound so strident probably don't have kids in school and appear to just be looking on some authoritarian issue to play "pile on." And I would add, that the history teacher who wrote in earlier sounds angry and burned out. It might be time to consider a career move.

[Ted Nugent]

ann wrote:

so are the partens not going to buy there kids school cloths this year? I think uniforms are a great idea.

Ann are you on drugs or just illiterate?

[Alice]

I say shut your mouth and buy the uniforms. Truth be told, these parents probably can afford the uniforms. Way to go History Teacher. I back school uniforms in any district 110%.

[Kim]

History Teacher wrote:

This is one of the most ridiculous, whiny, and illogical arguements I have every heard. Since when does the right of a free education say ANYTHING about the clothes that may or may not be worn? And the complaint about the cost...give me a break...what a non-issue. Every single retail store is having a sale on these type clothes for kids. Shirts for as low as $4.50 and pants from $7-10. How in the world is THAT going to affect any single household? These same parents would have spent MUCH more than that on the types of clothing that their beloved little angels would have DEMANDED them to buy anyway.
That's right, I said "demanded." These parents are obviously the kind who cannot say "no" to their children. I see it every single day. Shoes costing $100-150; sweaters up to $200; and other popular name-brand styles of jeans each one over $50 apiece--and that's from the students who receive FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES (and breakfast)--allegedly the ones too poor to buy their kids a lunch costing a couple of bucks!
No, this is really a case of spoiled parents, who have raised another generation of spoiled children. Me, me, me. It isn't going to harm these children one iota to have to dress up for 8 hours a day. And please don't give me the arguement that "research studies" prove this or don't prove that. Just use common sense and get off your high horse!
Most people have to wear certain types of clothing when they go to work. I certainly cannot wear shorts and a t-shirt when I teach! It doesn't destroy our personality to wear nice clothes for 8 hours a day, and it won't do so to the children either. Believe me, they will find ways of showing their "individuality" whether it be in dying their hair green or having 14 piercings on their face! But don't get me started on the parents who allow their children to look like an escapee from a freak show!?!
Parents need to quit being their child's "best friend" and become a parent who sets reasonable and sensible guidelines!

YOU SAID IT !