Public school uniforms

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it legal to make a child wear a particular uniform to public school?

Yes. At charters schools it's very easy, you as the parent have to sign a contract with the school when you enroll your child. If the school has a dress code that includes uniforms, then you have signed the contract knowing that information and agreeing to it beforehand.

At a regular public school, the majority of parents have to support the policy (I believe a PP said 80%) but once it's implemented it is like any disciplinary measure. If your child shows up out of uniform they can send him/her home with instructions not to come back until they're properly dressed.

[Anonymous]

"If your child shows up out of uniform they can send him/her home with instructions not to come back until they're properly dressed."

I'm not sure if a public school could/would do this. My husband taught in DCPS for many years and the school never sent anyone home due to not wearing a uniform. Instead they provided incentives for everyone to wear their uniform. For example, a pizza party if everyone wears their uniform everyday for a month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just curious - do any of the public schools in this area have uniforms?

Some that come to mind, Brent, Tyler, Maury, Two Rivers, Washington Latin, Hardy

Washington YuYing has a dress code -- no commercial characters, no jeans, no sleeveless shirts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just curious - do any of the public schools in this area have uniforms?

Some that come to mind, Brent, Tyler, Maury, Two Rivers, Washington Latin, Hardy

Washington YuYing has a dress code -- no commercial characters, no jeans, no sleeveless shirts.

& no short-shorts (knee-length, bermuda-style shorts are okay). Not that this seems of great concern in February...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it legal to make a child wear a particular uniform to public school?

Yes. At charters schools it's very easy, you as the parent have to sign a contract with the school when you enroll your child. If the school has a dress code that includes uniforms, then you have signed the contract knowing that information and agreeing to it beforehand.

At a regular public school, the majority of parents have to support the policy (I believe a PP said 80%) but once it's implemented it is like any disciplinary measure. If your child shows up out of uniform they can send him/her home with instructions not to come back until they're properly dressed.

Doesn't seem to fit neatly with civil rights and so on. I for one would not comply. I guess they would sent my child home...then what. I would have to meet them in court.
Just curious, if 80% of the parents said that girls should wear long skirts, and boys should wear straw hats, could that be enforced?

[Anonymous]

If you don't agree with the uniform, then you should probably look for a non-uniform school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't agree with the uniform, then you should probably look for a non-uniform school.

But aren't these the local public schools that we are discussing?

[Anonymous]

Under VA law, schools can strongly encourage uniforms-- but no, they cannot kick your child out for not wearing one, provided he/she is dressed appropriately (not nude, not wearing shirts with obscene slogans, etc).

[Anonymous]

Not true if you go to a school that requires you to sign a contract (like Lyles Crouch where it is is a focus school and uniforms are part of the program). If you refuse to wear a uniform, then your child will have the option to relocate to a school that does not require uniforms in the district. I'd guess that Arlington Traditional is the same way - as for the others, I'd guess that your child would just stand out if you refused to comply. I can't imagine why you would want to do that ......

[Anonymous]

Buuuut, that opens the door for areas with a heavy percentage of an ethnic group that dresses a certain way to enforce that dress code. For example, Orthodox Jews, Mennonites and Amish, Islamic cultures, fundamentalist Mormons, and so on. Where does it stop? If all you need is your 80%, then many communities could do this,...with my tax dollar.

[Anonymous]

Just curious, if 80% of the parents said that girls should wear long skirts, and boys should wear straw hats, could that be enforced?

LOL!

I'm not a supporter of uniforms in elementary schools, but can see the value of a dress code.