Why no Uniforms in MCPS ?

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I studied in India and we had school uniforms - private or public school.
Now that my daugter started K, I'm wondering whats the reason behind not having uniforms in MCPS schools ?
It would instill so much discipline and equality. Save me some money too ;o).

Please educate me whats so good about not having uniforms ...

[Anonymous]

My DS just started K and I would be all for uniforms! Would make life soo much easier

[Anonymous]

It would be great if they had uniforms, IMO. It puts everyone on a mostly level ground, and takes away the worry of impressing others.
Montgomery County isn't poor enough to do it yet. Maybe in 20 years.

[Anonymous]

Historically public schools in this country have not required uniforms.

I don't know the full story-- might be because people have been leery of the gov't mandating clothes for kids to buy and wear, or might be because public schools here started when we were still an agricultural economy and kids fit school around farm work.

Who knows, but the default is no uniforms-- that's what people grew up with and only when people decide there's a need for uniforms will you see a change. A bunch of urban school districts now require uniforms.

[Anonymous]

As a British colony, India adopted uniforms from the Brits- which has become embedded in the culture in both places.

Here in the US few school children outside of Catholic schools wore uniforms until only 10-15 years ago. Now many schools are adopting them if they think they will help their students learn in some way. But it is a big shift for most places, and something that only happens when a school is new or the school and/or parents really advocate that it will improve outcomes.

Districts like MCPS, which have been historically very good, have yet to see a need to shift over to uniforms.

(But please feel free to start the movement! I would get behind it!!)

[Anonymous]

Why no uniforms in MCPS? Because MCPS isn't

1. an expensive private school
2. a Catholic private school
3. a poor urban public school district

OP, how would wearing uniforms instill discipline? Besides discipline in doing laundry, for the parent who is responsible for the laundry...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why no uniforms in MCPS? Because MCPS isn't

1. an expensive private school
2. a Catholic private school
3. a poor urban public school district

OP, how would wearing uniforms instill discipline? Besides discipline in doing laundry, for the parent who is responsible for the laundry...

Kids would focus more on studies and other things than remarking/keeping up with latest fashion. Reduce Bullying for kids who do not follow the latest and greatest trends.
It would have everyone at same level in terms of clothing - rich/poor/middle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why no uniforms in MCPS? Because MCPS isn't

1. an expensive private school
2. a Catholic private school
3. a poor urban public school district

OP, how would wearing uniforms instill discipline? Besides discipline in doing laundry, for the parent who is responsible for the laundry...

Kids would focus more on studies and other things than remarking/keeping up with latest fashion. Reduce Bullying for kids who do not follow the latest and greatest trends.
It would have everyone at same level in terms of clothing - rich/poor/middle

Also, easier to ID everyone on a field trip, demonstrably CHEAPER than normal clothing, etc.

There have been a bunch of studies.

[Anonymous]

We should start a movement! The woman who's heading up the Start School Later campaign has good momentum. Think it started with a Change.org petition. Maybe need to start one of those to see if there's any support for uniforms in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Historically public schools in the U.S. have never had uniforms. However there seems to be a movement in the direction of uniforms recently. I did a little search online and it looks like about 20% of American public schools now have them. But if you ask why MCPS does not, the answer is that the great majority of public schools across the U.S. do not, and there's no reason MCPS would be an exception.

[Anonymous]

What happens to the children who can't afford school uniforms? A lot of kids get second hand clothes. I personally don't care either way. I think it's up to the parents and staff to help stop bullying and teasing. Sure they won't bully about clothes but they still would bully about other things.

[Anonymous]

My son goes to a private school that requires uniforms. I like them, but feel they are more expensive than just using regular clothes. At least in elementary school. If there were a uniform subsidy for lower-income kids to buy the uniforms, or a really good used uniform swap, I think it would be a great idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happens to the children who can't afford school uniforms? A lot of kids get second hand clothes. I personally don't care either way. I think it's up to the parents and staff to help stop bullying and teasing. Sure they won't bully about clothes but they still would bully about other things.

There can be second hand uniforms too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens to the children who can't afford school uniforms? A lot of kids get second hand clothes. I personally don't care either way. I think it's up to the parents and staff to help stop bullying and teasing. Sure they won't bully about clothes but they still would bully about other things.

There can be second hand uniforms too.

And uniforms are wayyyy cheap. At Walmart you can get 2 pairs of uniform navy pants for $8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son goes to a private school that requires uniforms. I like them, but feel they are more expensive than just using regular clothes. At least in elementary school. If there were a uniform subsidy for lower-income kids to buy the uniforms, or a really good used uniform swap, I think it would be a great idea.

Are the uniforms from a specific supplier and/or include insignia?

Most PS uniforms can be purchased at almost any kids store this time of year. Wal-Mart, Target etc., carry them.