Would you like to see School uniforms for Latrobe

[Janet15650]

As a parent, I think school uniforms simplify the process of getting the child ready for school and reduces the discussion of what is "cool."

From an educational standpoint, it reduces the issues of proper dress, overt sexuality or questions/issues of what is acceptable. As a former vice principal of a private school overseas, I can say that it is easier to deal with issues of dress when there is a uniform.

[Stephen]

How can one implement a uniform in a public school? It is difficult enough to have a dress code let alone a uniform.

[MoonGlow]

School uniforms

YES!

As a parent, I think school uniforms simplify the process of getting the child ready for school and reduces the discussion of what is "cool."

From an educational standpoint, it reduces the issues of proper dress, overt sexuality or questions/issues of what is acceptable. As a former vice principal of a private school overseas, I can say that it is easier to deal with issues of dress when there is a uniform.

I ask Greater Latrobe to consider a uniform. Please!

[Laughing]

School uniforms... No!

Let kids be kids for goodness sake. Let them dress how they want to dress.

[TFire1]

Latrobe should have had School uniforms years ago. Sure some think let the kids dress as they want and let them be kids, but times have chnaged and the time has come to do this. I vote for School uniforms.

[Monk]

School uniforms, hell yes. it puts all the kids on a even level, no trying to keep up with the others that way.

[SheepDog]

Sure why not, I'm for School uniforms too.

[viv]

Hell no to school uniforms it is a school not a prison for kid. After all it would be another then the school would not give to the kid. Parents would have to put more money out since the school does not give anything for classes these days. No to the bull shit prison school uniforms let kid wear what they want to there is are ready enough bull on what they cant wear!!!!

[Irene]

Stationed in Washington, D.C., as an active-duty Marine 10 years ago, I found the local public-school district allowed individual schools to determine their school-dress policy: status quo, uniforms or in-between. The stipulation was that the school community would vote based upon the school's population -- one vote per student. Therefore, multiple-student families, who would bear a heavier burden if uniforms were adopted, had a voice equal to their potential outlay.

Because I was the PTA president, our school principal put the process in my hands. While uniform proponents were vocal, they were decidedly the minority, as reflected by the ballots. However, these advocates still tried to achieve their goal -- including accusing the PTA of doctoring the ballot tally. To this day, I wonder why.

I fail to see the need for public-school uniforms -- but for weak parents unable to handle their children. Ten years ago, uniform backers were not the financially strapped but the higher-income families, so economics was not a driving force. Discipline is often cited as a benefit, but I wonder about the discipline rates at the larger private schools where uniforms are de rigueur.

Whenever this topic arises, I wonder whether two of the most recent instances of student uniforms are considered -- the Hitler Youth in Nazi Germany and the Young Octoberists in the Soviet Union. Perhaps submissive conformity is the true goal, but more likely the end result is bland conventionality and regimentation for the sake of discipline and order, at the expense of creativity, imagination, inspiration and originality.

Or worse.

[Jack]

School uniforms are but the latest attempt by government to avoid paying the real costs of public education for each individual child and foisting them off on overtaxed families. This issue also speaks to an unrealistic view that all children are and should be the same.

Already we, who have paid our school taxes, have to foot the additional costs of school supplies and be in the year-round fundraising business for each of our children's schools just to keep them afloat. Now, with the spiraling costs of everything and wages not nearly keeping pace, we are supposed to be excited about adding special, expensive, non-negotiable clothing to our overburdened list of expenses?

Uniforms on the outside don't change how different kids are on the inside. With so few avenues for freedom and self-expression left still open for them, they should be allowed to wear a different T-shirt or pair of socks from their peers if they like.

But I defer to the learned researchers of human behavior and child psychologists. My hunch is that uniforms won't help prevent school shootings, drug use, swearing or any of the other behavior problems that they are aimed at curtailing. In fact, one more pressure on our kids to "conform" and "be like everyone else," when we humans (young and old) are by nature unique individuals, may actually increase incidents of kids who crack in the worst ways because they feel alienated from the mold they are forced into each day, and just don't feel they fit.

In my opinion, uniforms are not a good fit for anybody.

[Belle]

I see no reason to do this at all. It's not needed.

[David]

Everyone would be equal. Great idea that has been long overdo.

[Hixon]

I say go for it, everyone will save a bundle not having to buy all this fad stuff the kids want for school.

[Ryan]

No way letem wear what they want

[Anon_One]

You have to be kidding

[Fed Up]

How is it cheaper for parents to have to go out and spend money on clothes that kids will just wear to school? Uniforms can get expensive, so the argument that it would save parents money is laughable.

[why_not]

I have not read one post directed towards the academic benefit of students being uniformed. If parents are are complaining about clothing their child for school, they bring that on themselves. The parents saying how it will save time in the mornings, you became a parent. Quit complaining about having to be one.

[Pablo]

I think everyone in Latrobe should wear uniforms. They should all look the same when they go shopping or to the post office. We could also call everyone Jerry.