On The Matter Of Books

Uniforms

I was thinking more about the link I posted to the story about the kids who liked wearing uniforms to school. Then I remembered that my school had a vote on uniforms last year but the offer was turned down for 7th and 8th grades. K-6th grade have to wear them. (I think.)

Even though I wanted uniform I said no. The uniforms my school was offering for us to have were childish. I mean sure those uniforms would look good on a first grader but not on an eighth grader. Dresses with poufy sleeves and straigh pants don't exactly work with most eighth graders.

I continued to think about how I wanted uniforms to look at my school, did I want them professional, girlish... I came up with my own little list of things I wanted in a uniform and I think all schools need to keep in mind if they are looking for uniforms. Here is my list:

What I think All Junior High Uniforms Need

1. Professional- How do you react if a teacher or any person for that matter comes into a classroom in a suit and tie? The first thing I think is 'Wow! That person knows what they are doing.' When a school goes somewhere in there uniforms they want people to think the same thing, 'Those kids know what they're doing.' not 'Look at that girl! What is she wearing?' If the uniforms are to young for the age group or look like they came from another time period that is the sort of response they will most likely get, 'What are they wearing?'

When I say professional I don't mean all the way to suit and polished shoes. What I ment was nice white collered shirt with a tie. (Not many students like ties, but they give the students a professional look.) Students want to look professional but be comfortable at the same time. Although blazors give a person sort of a professional look they shouldn't be a required piece of a uniform. During the blazing hot weather students don't want to be baking in blazors.

2. Casual- I know casual is a really wierd thing to be posted after professional, but after you read this it should make sence. I don't mean casual clothes I mean more of a layed back professional look. To put this in simpler terms don't require students to (If you have blazors) button every button of there blazors and wear it like that, or require them to shine there shoes. I mean that is way to over board. The only thing you need to make sure is that the shirts are tucked in pants are pulled up an the tie isn't worn so loose that it looks sloppy.

3. Colors- I know your school has colors but your uniform doesn't have to show the whole world. I mean when you make a professional uniform only show the colors on the tie of maybe a little symbol on the blazor.

Definate no- If your school colors are yellow and green, I forbid you to put those colors anywhere but on the tie and/or blazor. If someone walks into your classroom with a suit and tie on but the shirt is yellow and the suit is green you get a totally different response then if the suit is black with a white shirt. Even if the kids want it the other way make the pants/skirt black with a white shirt. Only show the colors on the tie or blazor.

A uniform I invented that I wish I had

Note: This an example school uniform. I designed it to what I think an ideal school uniform would be, so you may not agree with some of the things I have chosen.

For Girls:

Shoes- If a skirt is worn student must wear black sandals that cover toes and heels. If the student is wearing shorts or pants there shoes must be black.

Socks/Tights- If a skirt is worn girls must either wear Tan/Skin colored tights or black socks (I can't remember the type of sock they are but I'm refering to the ones that you pull up to right under your knee.). With pants socks must be worn. (The type you fold.)

Skirt- A knee length or ankle lenght skirt (depends on school but either black/khaki. If made in khaki they may have one of the schools colors on a strip down the side.)

Slacks/Shorts- Must be black or navy blue. They should be loose fitting/comfortable.

Shirt- Only in white. For girls a short sleeve collered buttoned dress shirt, sort of like a button dress shirt but short sleeve. Girls can also wear long sleeve collered shirts.

Tie- A plain black tie or a striped tie in the school colors. (It is possible to have school logo.) Can be worn slightly loose or not.

Sweater- A black buttoned sweater long sleeve. Or a thin tank top style sweater without buttons. Coller and tie must be worn out of sweater if tanktop one. Sweaters do not have to be worn.

For Boys:

Socks- The only rule for boys socks is that they must be black.

Slacks/Shorts- Must be black or navy blue. They should be loose fitting/comfortable.

Shirt- A white long sleeve collered buttoned dress shirt.

Tie- A plain black tie or a striped tie in the school colors. (It is possible to have school logo.) Can be worn slightly loose or not.

Jacket: A black jacket in the same fabric as a sports jacket by black with the school name and logo on the front left of the zipper.

Well I hope you enjoyed reading my views on uniforms and if you work at a school you bring them back to your school and use them.

Posted by EMH at August 29, 2003 11:05 AM | TrackBack