Standardized Dress Code for Hickman School System

[Board Member]

What are your thoughts about a standardized dress code system wide in a our school system? Standardized meaning: black or tan slacks and a polo shirt of some colors to chose from. This idea is being looked at (among other ideas) as a means to address repeated offenders of the current board policy dress code. The school system will not have to pay for a standardized dress uniform. The board needs to hear from you-the community and parents. Answer these questions in your response:
1. Will a standardized dress code help with the offenders of board
policy
2. Are you a parent or guardian of a student currently enrolled in
Hickman's school system?
3. Do you support a standardized dress code?
4. What do you think would keep students in the classroom to
learn instead of being taken out of class to address dress
code issues?

[RME]

1. Some people can't afford it
2. Yes
3. No
4. Make their classes more interesting.

[Board Member]

RME wrote:

1. Some people can't afford it
2. Yes
3. No
4. Make their classes more interesting.

Thank you for your input

[HeyYou]

Kid's should get to express themselves and one of the ways we do that is in our appearance. Everything would just be plain and everyone would look the same and not get to show their own creative style. I'm 100% AGAINST it. I don't own ANY polos or tan pants. Not my style. I like being unique.. With dress codes, you can't do that. Plus my parents probably wouldn't like to have to pay for more clothes than they already have... Some people say we should because they think kids need to quit being so stereotypical or judgemental. With or without the uniforms, we'll still be stereotyping based on just the way people are as a person or gossip. That's just highschool for you. And if we are so used to being around the same old boring routine, wearing those clothes for so long, when we get outta highschool there will still be judging because we will think, "Why don't those people look like us? They look so weird..." And those people will say the same. Even adults stereotype people. Everyone does. It's human nature because everyone is so used to doing it.. I also think alot of kids will be going to different schools if we do get a standard dress code. If kids are having a hard time listening and following, consult with their parents or something after school. Don't make every kid suffer because not all of us are disobeying the rules and that's not fair. Also I am a student, and I don't agree with the standard dress code. I hope I helped.

[Board Member]

HeyYou wrote:

Kid's should get to express themselves and one of the ways we do that is in our appearance. Everything would just be plain and everyone would look the same and not get to show their own creative style. I'm 100% AGAINST it. I don't own ANY polos or tan pants. Not my style. I like being unique.. With dress codes, you can't do that. Plus my parents probably wouldn't like to have to pay for more clothes than they already have... Some people say we should because they think kids need to quit being so stereotypical or judgemental. With or without the uniforms, we'll still be stereotyping based on just the way people are as a person or gossip. That's just highschool for you. And if we are so used to being around the same old boring routine, wearing those clothes for so long, when we get outta highschool there will still be judging because we will think, "Why don't those people look like us? They look so weird..." And those people will say the same. Even adults stereotype people. Everyone does. It's human nature because everyone is so used to doing it.. I also think alot of kids will be going to different schools if we do get a standard dress code. If kids are having a hard time listening and following, consult with their parents or something after school. Don't make every kid suffer because not all of us are disobeying the rules and that's not fair. Also I am a student, and I don't agree with the standard dress code. I hope I helped.

Thank you young adult. Your opinion is important and will weigh in the decision. Thank you for being honest.

[RME]

I will say it is encouraging to see someone taking an interest in the students, their best interests and needs for a change.

[Board Member]

RME wrote:

I will say it is encouraging to see someone taking an interest in the students, their best interests and needs for a change.

Someone making decisions for all concerned is harder than you might think. You never know unless you are in the position. Student are like employees. If students enjoy and like school they are more likely to want to participate in the learning process. Parents also seem more supportive when their children are happy; however, this is not in all cases. I have to take all things in consideration (including expense upon already struggling household incomes). I WILL NOT SUPPORT THIS IF IT WILL BE A MEANS OF INCOME FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM (ordering a student's attire by catalog through the school).

[HickMom]

I agree with a school uniform dress code. Yes, there will be some issues of people having a hard time paying for them. I do believe it will work out for everyone who gets on board with the policy. I also believe there will be an uproar of sorts for those who don't want to comply and they will have multitudes of excuses. However, as a mom to a high schooler I see how the current dress code is not enforced currently. I see lots of flip flop shoes and "pants on the ground" jeans every day. Where is the current dress policy? My high schooler wanted to carry a book bag but was told no even though girls carry purses that are big enough to have three changes of clothes and a shelf of cosmetics in them! Where is the common sense in what is already policy? Also, I have seen teachers who need to dress professionally as well. So I would say that the success of any dress policy will rest in how well it is enforced.

[RME]

I'm more concerned with the quality of education than what they wear. Have you looked at the stats for that school system as far as its ranking in the state and on national test scores??

[Obvious]

All schools got poor scores according to the news because the test and material on them where not included in the lesson plan. My son is in the 5th grade and this yr is being taught some of the algebra my 7th grader had last year. You can't expect high scores until the teachers and kids have time to catch up with what the state is requiring. They are telling us the state did this last year at a moments notice with some called Race ? something.

[Concerned Parent]

I'm glad my child is a Senior this year. I just have to add that if the kids have a dress code, I know some teachers that need one too.

[RME]

I thought lesson plans were standard across the state. How could Hickman County not be teaching the same lesson plans as Williamson County? If it is true that the school system got behind, who is to blame for that happening?? How could it happen??

[Obvious]

RME wrote:

I thought lesson plans were standard across the state. How could Hickman County not be teaching the same lesson plans as Williamson County? If it is true that the school system got behind, who is to blame for that happening?? How could it happen??

I don't think it's fair to compare one of the poorest counties to the wealthiest county's in the state. Williamson County spends a lot more money on each student than our school can because of the revenue.

[RME]

How does money make a difference if teachers are teaching the same lesson plan?

[Dagobert II]

Standardized dress for standardized minds: http://www.annefrankguide.net/en-us/content/B...

[Board Member]

Dagobert II wrote:

Standardized dress for standardized minds: http://www.annefrankguide.net/en-us/content/B...

Point well taken

[fed up]

As a high school student I see first hand what its like in our schools. I don't believe enforcing a dress code would help much. I believe there are bigger issues to deal with. 1. Providing a better quality education. Quit putting so much emphasis on test scores. Test scores I believe don't show the intelligence of a person. I have straight a's in all my classes including honors and I am not a good test taker. And to especially base a teachers pay off of there students test scores is ridiculous. 2. Quit stressing so much over little things. Ex: piercings, hair color. If a child wants a facial piercing or some funky color in their hair who cares? That has nothing to do with how they are going to learn. 3. When a student gets into trouble at school, punish them. Do not give them multiple warnings. If they did something more than once, they'll do it again. And have punishments that will actually impact students. Overall, I see quite a few issues with the way our schools are set up and ran. Enforcing a new dress code will just make students want to rebel more. I can see it eventually working, but it would be a work in progress at the moment just because of the way students act. The school I believe needs to buckle down on other issues before tackling this one. I would continue with my lengthy list but I have school in the morning.

[mom of girls]

Seems to me the question around standardized uniforms has really stirred up some emotion, so I'm putting my 2cents in for what its worth. First there seems to be an issue with the appropriate dress code and the kids not adhering to the policy all of this is being put on the kids for being at fault, yes they know the rules but seriously what good are the rules if the administration doesn't follow the policy or looks the other way. Where is the parental involvement I have raised 2 young ladies 1 a senior and 1 a freshman and yes they have been taught what is appropriate to wear and what isn't just like everything its a learning process. I think what needs to happen is the administration needs to follow the rules that they already have in place and if that does not work send them home unexcused and after so many days they will have truancy issues to deal with and court that will cost the parent time and money. Just a thought.

[fed up]

And one more thought.... it enfuriates me to no end to see a student slide by in school. If a student fails a class then they need to retake it until they pass. Screw passing children on because of age. That's crap. There needs to be a set level of difficulty in our school work and it doesn't need to be tampered with. because of the amount of students that continue to fail they continue to lower the level of classes and that isn't fair to the students who want to actually learn. Do that and then talk about a dress code...

[observing]

I have been watching this topic tonight and it sounds like the adults should be listening a little more to the kids. Very well put fed up.