Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Dd is starting 3 grade in Alexanderia, VA next month.Public School in mount Vernon area.I am not happy about the school and I will be sending her in uniform.I want her to be clean cut, serious and on point.I have no time and cash to waste on name brand clothing and shoes.I will be researching and applying to private schools for 4th grade.

What does "on point" even mean for a nine year old? How ghastly. Why not send her to military academy?

Dd is very smart and needs a place that's foucus and challenging.I made a mistake moving from Montgomery county at the end of June for a new job.Our local Elementary is full to capacity and got transferred to Cora kelley in Alexanderia.Military Academy sounds great...

Just curious...what exactly does her uniform consist of? Are you concerned at all that she will be teased or bullied?

Ten polo shirts,dress,skirts and pants, and flat black and brown
Mary Jane.I am not worry she will be teased or bullied.Dd is very confident and she just received her black belt last week.She knows how to handle herself and she will be fine.My concerns about the school is basically,it will be too easy for her and she will not be challenged at all.my stress level is off the wall and dh and dd are both upset we moved to Va.

DD is so smart that she won't be challenged? Give me a break! And she has a black belt in what, Tae Kwon Do, which is an absolute joke. You sound delusional.

Eh, I will stick up for the poster who is concerned about their child and say she is right to be concerned.

It's not a good school. It's supposed to be a math and science magnet school yet they have very weak math and science scores and always has. Think like scores below 70%.

Anonymous wrote:My DD attends public school. Some public schools do uniforms, but ours does not. Who makes this decision? The principal? The district? Do parents have any say in this?

I love the simplicity of uniforms. I like how they are an equalizer, let parents save money, and force kids to stand out based on their personalities rather than their clothes. I don't like the fact that some kids in elementary school are already totally obsessed with brand names and expensive clothes. It's a bit ridiculous.

But I don't know how common my opinion is. If I start a petition and speak to the principal, am I likely to meet with a lot of resistance from other parents?

They're not an equalizer (there are always ways to show that you spent more money), they don't necessarily save money (it depends on the uniform, plus either you have to have multiple sets or you have to have access to laundry facilities), and they don't force kids to stand out based on their personalities rather than their clothes (some kids have nicer clothes, some kids look better in the clothes, there are always ways to adjust the uniform...)

I agree with your dislike of brand obsession -- for people of any age -- but school uniforms will not solve that problem.

School uniforms are great for people who don't want to have to think about what to wear. (I am such a person.) But other than that, no.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love uniforms. They look nice, wear well and eliminate arguments about what to wear to school. I wear uniform skorts from Lands End myself, almost every day. I'm in favor of uniforms for all school children.

My daughter's school is all kids in rumpled, worn, ill-filling combos of beige, navy, and white, which is fine by me but they are definitely not a tidy uniform crowd.

Yes, their pants are always wrinkled. The navy shirts are all washed out by Oct. and the white shirts start getting worn with faded yellow-ish stains in Nov.

The private school my kids attended didn't let that fly. You couldn't look sloppy. Stained and faded clothing items weren't allowed. Pants full of wrinkles were a big no-no and you'd have to go iron them. Blazers also had to be approved for fit; no kids wearing their big brother's or dad's hand-me-down blazer that was too large.

just curious-how did they do PE in blazers and starched dress clothes?

At my school we changed for gym class.

I went to a prep school that had uniform up until HS, and then a strict dress code in HS. I didn't care much about the uniform, but it was exciting at first to get to pick out our own clothes in HS. Then it became a huge pain because the dress code was so strict. Eventually, they went to a more flexible uniform for HS too...because most of the students wanted it. For us, probably the biggest issue with the uniform was that it was archaic and required girls to wear skirts even in the winter. The more fleixble uniform allowed pants, and that was a big improvement.

Nowadays, I would love for my kids to wear uniforms when they are old enough for regular school. It's just one less thing to worry about. My sister is a complete fashionista (has been since HS), and she wishes for the same for her kids. Actually, my niece is starting a new school this year that has uniforms, but that's not the reason they chose it.

I agree with the PPs who also point out that in school, uniforms prevent wasting precious time policing clothing. And I guess since I went to a prep school, I also feel like there's something to having slightly more formal attire for school...when I was in college I actually ended up wearing outfits that met our HS dress code for exams because they helped me feel more serious. I don't know. I love clothes and shopping, but I do feel it can be a distraction for kids...and a hassle for parents.

I hadn't thought about the cost angle, though I still don't really understand it aside from the laundry part. Most of the public school uniforms I've heard of are pretty flexible, and I thought Old Navy even sold them. It seems like it should at least be possible to have an inexpensive uniform so it doesn't require shopping at expensive stores.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Dd is starting 3 grade in Alexanderia, VA next month.Public School in mount Vernon area.I am not happy about the school and I will be sending her in uniform.I want her to be clean cut, serious and on point.I have no time and cash to waste on name brand clothing and shoes.I will be researching and applying to private schools for 4th grade.

What does "on point" even mean for a nine year old? How ghastly. Why not send her to military academy?

Dd is very smart and needs a place that's foucus and challenging.I made a mistake moving from Montgomery county at the end of June for a new job.Our local Elementary is full to capacity and got transferred to Cora kelley in Alexanderia.Military Academy sounds great...

Just curious...what exactly does her uniform consist of? Are you concerned at all that she will be teased or bullied?

Ten polo shirts,dress,skirts and pants, and flat black and brown
Mary Jane.I am not worry she will be teased or bullied.Dd is very confident and she just received her black belt last week.She knows how to handle herself and she will be fine.My concerns about the school is basically,it will be too easy for her and she will not be challenged at all.my stress level is off the wall and dh and dd are both upset we moved to Va.

DD is so smart that she won't be challenged? Give me a break! And she has a black belt in what, Tae Kwon Do, which is an absolute joke. You sound delusional.

+1
I love how the first PP is just assuming that a school that her DD hasn't even started yet will be too easy for her!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Dd is starting 3 grade in Alexanderia, VA next month.Public School in mount Vernon area.I am not happy about the school and I will be sending her in uniform.I want her to be clean cut, serious and on point.I have no time and cash to waste on name brand clothing and shoes.I will be researching and applying to private schools for 4th grade.

What does "on point" even mean for a nine year old? How ghastly. Why not send her to military academy?

Dd is very smart and needs a place that's foucus and challenging.I made a mistake moving from Montgomery county at the end of June for a new job.Our local Elementary is full to capacity and got transferred to Cora kelley in Alexanderia.Military Academy sounds great...

Just curious...what exactly does her uniform consist of? Are you concerned at all that she will be teased or bullied?

Ten polo shirts,dress,skirts and pants, and flat black and brown
Mary Jane.I am not worry she will be teased or bullied.Dd is very confident and she just received her black belt last week.She knows how to handle herself and she will be fine.My concerns about the school is basically,it will be too easy for her and she will not be challenged at all.my stress level is off the wall and dh and dd are both upset we moved to Va.

DD is so smart that she won't be challenged? Give me a break! And she has a black belt in what, Tae Kwon Do, which is an absolute joke. You sound delusional.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ten polo shirts,dress,skirts and pants, and flat black and brown
Mary Jane.I am not worry she will be teased or bullied.Dd is very confident and she just received her black belt last week.She knows how to handle herself and she will be fine.My concerns about the school is basically,it will be too easy for her and she will not be challenged at all.my stress level is off the wall and dh and dd are both upset we moved to Va.

I'm sorry your DD's school isn't great. I'm confused, is the rest of the school wearing uniforms as well or is just your DD?

Dd will be the first in her class.It's a small school and it goes from k to 5 th grade.It's basically a poor school.93% of the kids on free or reduced meals.The teachers have no time if your kid can read and follow directions.

Request a transfer. Try. Charles Barrett, Maury Lyles Crouch, or George Masin.

Call the principal at the school you want, ask if there is room, and if so tell them you want to transfer in. Then fill out the paperwork and submit.
Upper grades are not as crowded so there is less push back on transfers.

Anonymous wrote:OP again and I am not understanding the arguments why you have to spend more at uniform schools. The math just doesn't add up for me.

Someone said you have to buy more clothes because in addition to school wear you have to buy weekend wear. But kids are in school 5 out of 7 days, and you don't have to buy THAT many clothes for the weekend. You can get away with wearing the same style every day at school, so you don't need a lot of variety for the school days. Even if you clearance shop for regular clothes, you will need fewer items in total with uniforms, so that should bring down the cost. This is what parents from uniform schools often say. Uniforms save time and money.

And yes, kids will always be able buy expensive accessories to show off. Uniforms will not completely solve this problem, but it should take a lot of the burden off of some families to keep up. Buying one nice backpack and a few accessories is a lot less troublesome than buying an entire closet full of band name clothes and shoes.

When your child come home from school he isn't going to change out of his uniform? My kids are very into sports and wear a lot of Under Armour. They run hard at recess and go to practice many nights. Sometimes they can wear the same clothes they wore to school since they always want to wear athletic clothes. It's a phase and doesn't get in the way of learning. We don't have any issues in the morning and they quickly put on an outfit. Uniforms would cost me more money and create more laundry. One of the reasons we did not choose private school was because I felt strongly that I didn't want my children to wear uniforms.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ten polo shirts,dress,skirts and pants, and flat black and brown
Mary Jane.I am not worry she will be teased or bullied.Dd is very confident and she just received her black belt last week.She knows how to handle herself and she will be fine.My concerns about the school is basically,it will be too easy for her and she will not be challenged at all.my stress level is off the wall and dh and dd are both upset we moved to Va.

I'm sorry your DD's school isn't great. I'm confused, is the rest of the school wearing uniforms as well or is just your DD?

Dd will be the first in her class.It's a small school and it goes from k to 5 th grade.It's basically a poor school.93% of the kids on free or reduced meals.The teachers have no time if your kid can read and follow directions.

So move to Arlington county.problem solved and admit that. You do not want your dd around poor kids.I am curious, what is your nationality?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Ten polo shirts,dress,skirts and pants, and flat black and brown
Mary Jane.I am not worry she will be teased or bullied.Dd is very confident and she just received her black belt last week.She knows how to handle herself and she will be fine.My concerns about the school is basically,it will be too easy for her and she will not be challenged at all.my stress level is off the wall and dh and dd are both upset we moved to Va.

I'm sorry your DD's school isn't great. I'm confused, is the rest of the school wearing uniforms as well or is just your DD?

Dd will be the first in her class.It's a small school and it goes from k to 5 th grade.It's basically a poor school.93% of the kids on free or reduced meals.The teachers have no time if your kid can read and follow directions.

Anonymous wrote:
Ten polo shirts,dress,skirts and pants, and flat black and brown
Mary Jane.I am not worry she will be teased or bullied.Dd is very confident and she just received her black belt last week.She knows how to handle herself and she will be fine.My concerns about the school is basically,it will be too easy for her and she will not be challenged at all.my stress level is off the wall and dh and dd are both upset we moved to Va.

I'm sorry your DD's school isn't great. I'm confused, is the rest of the school wearing uniforms as well or is just your DD?

OP again and I am not understanding the arguments why you have to spend more at uniform schools. The math just doesn't add up for me.

Someone said you have to buy more clothes because in addition to school wear you have to buy weekend wear. But kids are in school 5 out of 7 days, and you don't have to buy THAT many clothes for the weekend. You can get away with wearing the same style every day at school, so you don't need a lot of variety for the school days. Even if you clearance shop for regular clothes, you will need fewer items in total with uniforms, so that should bring down the cost. This is what parents from uniform schools often say. Uniforms save time and money.

And yes, kids will always be able buy expensive accessories to show off. Uniforms will not completely solve this problem, but it should take a lot of the burden off of some families to keep up. Buying one nice backpack and a few accessories is a lot less troublesome than buying an entire closet full of band name clothes and shoes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Dd is starting 3 grade in Alexanderia, VA next month.Public School in mount Vernon area.I am not happy about the school and I will be sending her in uniform.I want her to be clean cut, serious and on point.I have no time and cash to waste on name brand clothing and shoes.I will be researching and applying to private schools for 4th grade.

What does "on point" even mean for a nine year old? How ghastly. Why not send her to military academy?

Dd is very smart and needs a place that's foucus and challenging.I made a mistake moving from Montgomery county at the end of June for a new job.Our local Elementary is full to capacity and got transferred to Cora kelley in Alexanderia.Military Academy sounds great...

Just curious...what exactly does her uniform consist of? Are you concerned at all that she will be teased or bullied?

Ten polo shirts,dress,skirts and pants, and flat black and brown
Mary Jane.I am not worry she will be teased or bullied.Dd is very confident and she just received her black belt last week.She knows how to handle herself and she will be fine.My concerns about the school is basically,it will be too easy for her and she will not be challenged at all.my stress level is off the wall and dh and dd are both upset we moved to Va.

I'm against them. I buy ahead on clearance and many uniforms, especially if you cannot pick the brand are expensive, more than I spend on clothing. None of the kids or parents dress particularly well at our school so its a non-issue. There's a mix of all different kinds of brands. I mix it up depending on what is cheap. I don't let my kid where his UA sports clothing to school nor his Northface coat (got it new $20). I like UA but I don't see the Northface hype.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My Dd is starting 3 grade in Alexanderia, VA next month.Public School in mount Vernon area.I am not happy about the school and I will be sending her in uniform.I want her to be clean cut, serious and on point.I have no time and cash to waste on name brand clothing and shoes.I will be researching and applying to private schools for 4th grade.

What does "on point" even mean for a nine year old? How ghastly. Why not send her to military academy?

Dd is very smart and needs a place that's foucus and challenging.I made a mistake moving from Montgomery county at the end of June for a new job.Our local Elementary is full to capacity and got transferred to Cora kelley in Alexanderia.Military Academy sounds great...

Just curious...what exactly does her uniform consist of? Are you concerned at all that she will be teased or bullied?