I see private school kids on the metro in the ultra short skirts with tons on trendy accessories (purses/shoes/jewelry/jackets). I can't imagine that there are not many distinctions in how kids dress even with a uniform...and plenty of ways to distinguish oneself.

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.

more expensive?

My daughter was in private from K-3. While her jumpers weren't cheap, they lasted 1-2 years. So it was money well spent, I think. The shirts could easily be purchased online as long as they were a particular style and color (or colors).

She's in public now and while she loves being able to choose her own clothes, it's more of a headache!

My kids go to a private with uniforms and really, I don't think it's at all the "great equalizer" that some here seem to think it is. Yes, it cuts down on hassles in the morning and lessens the clothing battles that administrators undoubtedly have with students at non-uniform schools. But the kids still see each other enough in non-school settings to know who the haves and the have nots are, not to mention they all see who's wearing the $200 North Face parka walking into school, the Lululemon headbands, Uggs, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I'm all for it, except for the hot months. That would be torture.

Why? The girls wear skirts with spandex shorts underneath. Many boys schools have short options but even khakis and short sleeves are not bad.

I'm all for it, except for the hot months. That would be torture.

One of my kids goes to a non-catholic private and I love uniforms. Everyone is equal. Dressing is easy in AM.

Anonymous wrote:I think it has simply been the cultural preference of suburban and middle class parents for a long time to not have uniforms in schools, thus that is the way it remains. In many urban school districts, uniforms are now common for a number of reasons: 1. promote equality 2. more cost-effective for some parents 3. discourage urban styles that promote violence or show too much skin.

Define "urban".

I think it has simply been the cultural preference of suburban and middle class parents for a long time to not have uniforms in schools, thus that is the way it remains. In many urban school districts, uniforms are now common for a number of reasons: 1. promote equality 2. more cost-effective for some parents 3. discourage urban styles that promote violence or show too much skin.

Some argue that not having uniforms allows kids to be individuals, express their creativity, and allows parents to save money, as they would buy street clothes regardless. Even at private schools, you wouldn't see uniforms at a Waldorf school, for example, because they're not really in line with the culture of the school.

There are those that argue in favor of kids being uniform in appearance, and those that argue for individualism. I think the growing wealth gap has swung more people in favor of uniforms as a sign of equality, rather than a sign of conformity.

Anonymous wrote:School uniform in public school? Possible in PS in Bible Belt, but not in MCPS, IMO.

Baltimore is Bible Belt?

Special snowflakes can't have their individuality stifled by something as mundane as uniforms.
Now if there were different uniforms for the students in HGCs and magnets, that's something we can all stand behind.

Uniforms are for poverty public schools to avoid gang, drug, and gangster clothing. Many schools would benefit. Kids go to school in sweats and look nasty. They need to clean up
A bit and have a better attitude towards school.

OP: The cultural differences between the US (or the DC region, anyway) and abroad are quite real. Uniforms came into public schools in Washington, D.C. to try to instill discipline in lower-income schools. So in my mind uniforms still equals: religious schools or poor public schools. I would not want uniforms in elementary school because my daughter gets holes in the knees of her trousers or leggings almost INSTANTLY and she is a very messy--I mean creative--person artistically. I buy the cheapest shirts and blouses imaginable (thank you, Children's Place, Goodwill and Old Navy) because she goes through clothes like wildfire. She is just a mud princess. Thank goodness there are no uniforms.
I agree with the teacher that come high school--maybe even middle school-- there should be guidelines as to what to wear in terms of modesty, coverage, no piercings, etc. I'd get behind an effort for uniforms in middle school and high school if they were vague enough (e.g.: blue and purple, any combination, must wear either long pants or pants below the knee, etc.)
My little brother attended a private school and was sent home for wearing the wrong color socks. Seriously. My mother was a TEACHER and had to go home, sign a note of apology, and drive him back to school. She lost a day's pay. I don't think that would happen today, but--it wasn't that long ago (1980s).

I'm a kid that goes to a mcps school and I
Completely support the idea of uniforms it would make other kids feel more comfortable on what they're wearing because
Everyone else is wearing the same thing. It would also decrease bullying. I hear girls making fun of other people because of what they wear everyday. School uniforms would make life easier by 90%

Anonymous wrote:As a teacher I would love to see HS students in uniforms- it would make life much less awkward. Currently we see a lot of exposed butt cracks, bra straps, midriffs, boobs, piercings in places other than ears, and tattoos.

This would be one of the main reasons to introduce uniforms.

As a teacher I would love to see HS students in uniforms- it would make life much less awkward. Currently we see a lot of exposed butt cracks, bra straps, midriffs, boobs, piercings in places other than ears, and tattoos.

This is really the only valid reason. Uniforms don't stop bullying. The bullying just focuses on body type and other aspects. In K-8, I'm happy that my kids don't have uniforms. They are picky about what is comfortable and still messy at this age. I don't want to have a buy a bunch of uniforms and regular clothes and then stress that the uniform pants have a big grass stain and I can't send DS into school in his jeans or weekend pants. They grow fast at this age so maintained two sets -enough uniforms for school and weekend clothes would be a big PITA.