School Uniforms - the good side!

@mummymo (23706)
May 23, 2008 5:29pm CST
I have been meaning to start this post all week and not gotten round to it til I read a post a friend started about schools overcharging for uniforms! Let me state for the record I do believe in School Uniforms, not only does it stop people being bullied for not wearing the right labels etc but the students look smart and are easily identified with a school etc! Anyway my sons school uniform consisted of white logo polo shirt , navy sweatshirt both with school logo, black, trousers or skirt and black shoes - No trainers - there was also the option of white shirt and school tie! It is a very smart uniform and very comfortable for our kids to wear! After moving into a new school building in February and having a new Headteacher appointed we received a letter asking us to hold off from buying any more school uniforms until further notice as they were being reviewed. I got a letter from the school on Monday telling me that after consultation the new uniform was decided upon. For 1st and 2nd year pupils the uniform remains the same but for 3rd to 6th years (14-28 yrs) the uniform was slightly different! From now on they are to wear a white shirt and school tie, plain black v-neck sweater (when they are needed) and the rest remains the same, Boy was I relieved - to let you understand I can buy a pack of 3 shorts for around £10-£15($20-$30) and a v neck sweater for around £8 - £10 ($16 - $20) whereas when I was buying the polo shirts and sweatshirts it cost me £68 (almost $140) for just 2 poloshirts and 2 sweatshirts! With the rate our children grow, my son at 14 is 6'1" and the fact they are forever ripping or losing clothing this has come as a huge relief to me! The kids will still look smart and part of the school community but their uniforms are so much cheaper - I was already beginning to worry about paying for the new uniform after the summer as we needed at least 3-4 of each to keep my son going til we had a chance to wash and dry the others in rotation! Now I don't have to worry about this although my daughters school is not following suit so far! I do hope that they decide to do so. Do your kids have uniforms? Do you like them or not? Have they ever changed that uniform policy and if they did did they get cheaper or more expensive? I would love to know your thoughts!
7 people like this
15 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
23 May 08
Sorry my Sweet Friend but I need to pick you up on this one I did not know that your poor Son had to wear a Skirt I mean the poor Boy how can you get him to wear a Skirt, I mean a Kilt yes but a Skirt (Well you would have picked me up onit) Yes mine had to wear Uniform and I agreed with them, but they did not have to have the School Logo ones so I did not have to buy them from the School I agree with the Uniforms as you say there is no Bullying on the fact of what the Child is wearing Love you xxxxxx
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
24 May 08
Yes Sweetie I did just like you knew what I meant about sending Gissi by Train to you and spelt it wrong No Girls are aloud to wear Trousers which I think is good to xxxxxxxx
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
I make Niamh wear skirts to school! Tried letting her wear trousers when she kept getting holes in her tights - she only got holes in the trousers instead! lol xxx
@mummymo (23706)
23 May 08
Well i9t is a mixed school and you know it is quite strange but they did not specify that only girls could wear skirts...... Nah I wouldn't do that to him , although he does look good in a kilt! Anyway you knew what I meant. I am so pleased with the new uniform as it will be so much more affordable yet still very smart! xxxxx
2 people like this
• United States
23 May 08
i dont buy uniforms from the schools, thank god the childrens stores as well as the unifroms websites, often have good sales, i will buy pacthes from the school and sew them on myself, bcuz they do charge an arm and a leg.
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
23 May 08
I have tried that wandalie but I am afraid that my sewing leaves a lot to be desired and my kids would be embarrased at my efforts! lol I am very relieved our new headteacher is thinking of how much it costs us parents to buy these uniforms! xxx
1 person likes this
• United States
23 May 08
i understand lol my daugthers bestfrinds mom brings me her unifroms so i could sew the pacthes on lol
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@mummymo (23706)
23 May 08
If only you lived closer I could do the same - you would be inundated sewing badges on! lol xxx
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
24 May 08
my kids didnt hav to wear uniforms but my grand son does right now just a whit4e or blue polo tan or blue shorts or long pants depending on the weather.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
That sounds comfortable and smart - not too expensive either! Do you like it and does he? xxx
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@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
24 May 08
dont know if he likes it or not I was just there when his mom bought the things and he looked nice in it the first day of svchool havent seen him much since then and wehn I do its reg. clothes
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
I bet he looked cute! I have a photo of Niamh on her first day at school I was going to share but I can't seem to find it right now! xxx
1 person likes this
• United States
24 May 08
Well when I was in high school we needed to wear uniforms. The uniforms were really simple. It had to be a white shirt with black or navy pants and/or skirts. Oh yeah and I forgot you could also have worn khaki pants too. And when it comes to sweaters they had to be black, navy or khaki. And most of the shirt and sweaters and pants could not have any design or anything or any name. They had to be plain.The guys had to wear ties every single day with not exceptions. The shoes had to be black dress shoes. If for any reason someone didn't have the uniform on then they would have to go to the office and get a really bright orange sticker and stick it to their clothes. It was a simple uniform and I didn't really mind it one bit. When I was in high school what I wore was a black suit with a white shirt and soem timbs.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
When I was at the same school my son is at (yes there are still a few teachers there who were there in my day - I'm not that old!) we had to wear a shirt and tie every day too! That is what it is going back to now and I am so glad to see things regress for once! lol sounds like at least the kids were smartly dressed for school when you went and not too formal! xxx
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
Yeah that is one of the things I love about uniforms - no one is picked on for not fitting in and there is a lot less worry about appropriate clothing! xxx
• United States
24 May 08
LOL. Yeah it wasn't so bad and some of the girls wore ties too. So It was pretty cool and I didn't have to worry about what to wear to school and whether if I was wearing the same shirt or something someone would say something or make fun of me.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
23 May 08
I also believe in school uniform, although I do not think it is as smart as when I was at school, it is a lot more casual where I live, polo shirts and no ties and that is in primary school and high school. I think that they should wear shirts and ties. All the schools around here now have the schools logo printed on, the children do not have to wear it but because a lot of their friends do mine have been pleading with me for ages to let them have it too. Of course as in my discussion the prices were ridiculous, but now that someone else is selling it all a lot cheaper I am very happy, as are my children!! In fact I would go as far as to say in my boys eyes I get mummy of the year award this time!! I have to say though, your son is tall!! I am only 5ft 2, he would tower me!!!
2 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
23 May 08
Yep honey , primary schools and secondary schools here have the polo and sweat shirt uniforms but they HAVE to have the logos on and because they are embroidered logos they are very expensive! They do though have the option of shirt and tie which both my children like but they also want to fit in and not a lot of others wore this option! It is such a relief that my sons high school has decided on this new uniform! Great that your boys are happy with the new logos! My son was warned by my nephew if he got as tall as him (my nephew is 6'4" but an adult) he would cut him off at the knees - I begged him to really do it as I cannot keep up with his growth spurts! lol It is do hard to get trousers to fit - he is a 30" waist and a 34" - 36" leg! Shopping for his trousers is so much fun! lol xxx
1 person likes this
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
24 May 08
It sucks that the uniforms are getting so expensive, when I was in school we didnt have school uniforms and I was happy about that,because I dont think school uniforms should be forced,but instead be a choice, because I think it takes away the individualism of the students,and teaches them that its bad to be different.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
I didn't wear a uniform in primary school hellcowboy but I did on Secondary and I much preferred uniform! I don't agree that it teaches kids it is bad to be different - just that there are times when it is good to conform! There is plenty of time outside of school for people to express their individuality - surely wearing a uniform for 30 hours a week is not that bad and where would we be if our forces, police, ambulance crews etc decided not to wear uniforms anymore? We all have our own opinions sweetheart and while I respect yours I just am not convinced by it! xxx
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
I love when I can disagree with someone without anyone getting nasty - isn't it wonderful? I do hear you on that one. We do not have that option here - uniform is required and I know that not everyone can like it but whilst in some ways I am modern thinking I have to admit I am also a bit traditional in some respects too! My kids have worn uniform since day one - when they are out of school they decide what they want to wear and what they like - that is their choice and not mine. LOL My 14 year old son would be clean cut and into mainstream fashion and my daughter would be so trendy (she's only 6) if I had my way! I would never force them into a certain style or tell them what to like so maybe they have the best of both worlds? xxx
1 person likes this
• United States
24 May 08
I also respect your opinion,and I agree police, hospital workers,ambulance crews,all wear uniform but they chose to be in that profession,which means they essentially chose to wear a uniform,which is why I say it should be the choice of the kids whether they do or not,or atleast the choice of the parents.
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@weemam (13372)
24 May 08
I think you should go find the 2 of them a wee part time job xx
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@weemam (13372)
24 May 08
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
Now that is a fantastic idea Mam - if only I could! xxx
1 person likes this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
24 May 08
I think thats great. I never wore a uniform but wished I did it was so hard picking out what to wear everyday.LOL
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@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
I can imagine! And then there is trying to fit in with a certain image or making sure you are up to date and on and on and on ......xxx
1 person likes this
• United States
24 May 08
I went to a private school (Glasgow High School for Girls) and wore a uniform from when I was 4 1/2 until 17 years of age. At the time I hated it but when I see what my daughter school life was like with all the jealousy clothes cause I think now it is a very good thing. I know uniforms were expensive even way back then so one of my grandmothers bough new school uniforms every year for Christmas and birthday gifts for all the grand children....now that used to really make me mad.
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@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
I can well imagine the disappointment of getting a school uniform for Christmas! I have heard of that school it had a fantastic reputation! My brother in law wanted to send my niece to a private school but she refused to go - mainly because she hated the hats that were part of the uniform! lol She is finishing her doctorate in October so she seems to have done just fine at the state school she attended! lol xxxx
• United States
24 May 08
Mo Mo, that is great Sugar, I wish we would go to uniforms here. It keeps getting talked about and kicked around but so far they have not adopted it. For us it would be solid colored polo shirts and khakis in solid colors, all of which wal-mart stock in the school districts that have a uniform. I totally believe it is a very good idea. Especially for the reasons you have mentioned.
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@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
I hope they decide to go for uniforms there for you honey! I think it is much better and also it means their good clothes are not worn out so quickly! lol It is great that uniforms there are not to expensive when they are in use! xxx
@raydene (9871)
• United States
24 May 08
Hello Darling When myt children were in the catholic school where uniforms were manditory it was so much easier. And I do agree will everything you have said. The thing I liked the best was the fact that they all dressed the same so there was no need to pick on the underdog for their attire! Love you tons Doll oxoxoxoxxo
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
That must be THE best thing about uniforms Mom! I wouldn't like for there to be no uniforms at our schools - even when I was at school I felt that way! Love you loads to Mom and hope to talk soon! xxxxx
@Gumball (793)
• United States
28 Oct 08
First, let me say - I'm baaaccckkk!! I have to use a public computer now and couldn't get on MyLot where I used to be as it was blocked. :( BUT, I've moved and this library doesn't have MyLot blocked so I can get back on here now and then. :D YAY! As for the uniforms, where I live now the schools don't have uniforms and my daughter (who's now 9) is ecstatic about it. She can wear whatever she wants but I still have the final say on everything. At her old schools they had a uniform policy.. polo shirts in any solid color, skirts or skorts in either black, khaki, or navy, or trousers in those same colors. They finally quit regulating the sock colors this year (any solid colors are allowed now) but last year they only allowed black, white, brown and blue socks. Can you imagine? Regulating SOCK colors even under long pants! Shoes must still be either black, white or brown. And of course, prices went up this year for everything so I was glad to move to a different area without uniforms. Much easier on doing laundry now too. :) No more doing a load every other night to make sure she had clean shirts & pants, now everything gets done with the rest of the laundry.
@mummymo (23706)
14 Jan 09
It is so good to see you sweetheart! I guess we all prefer different things and I am glad you are happy with your schools policy. I guess I see it in the opposite way from you in that it is cheaper to wear uniform and I much prefer it - it would be boring if we were all the same after all. I can believe the sock colours - here the younger boys can wear grey or black and the older ones have to wear black whereas girls can wear white or black socks and white , black or red tights with skirts in colder weather and shoes are black only no trainers(sneskers) etc only smart school shoes! My eldest has work experience soon and as he is in the Procurator Fiscal's office ( equivalent of the District Attorney) he has to wear shirt and tie etc - such fun! xxxx
@kassdaw (591)
• United States
24 May 08
I think that there are good and bad things about uniforms for school. I live in Washington (US) so it is hard to find schools around here that require uniforms. When I was in high school they tired to pass them for our school. I am a strong believer in being yourself- clothing, writing, and pretty much everything. I applued anyone who is for uniforms. It does show a unifies school, but at the same time I don't think it teaches kids to be excepting of others. Yes it does single some kids out but I think that in the long run it helps with self esteem issues that they kids will face in college or in life. Just my opinion, I don't mean to offend any one.
1 person likes this
@AbbeyB (670)
• Spain
3 Sep 08
I wish my kids did have uniforms as it would stop all the early morning fights about what to wear to school! I also agree that the uniforms are so expensive when we were in the UK the uniforms were a stupid price and my kids would grow out of them so quickly. I think the government should help out more with the uniforms.
@mummymo (23706)
3 Sep 08
Great to meet you AbbeyB! it is great that this headteacher has decided to think of pricing when it comes to kitting out the kids and still keeping a uniform on the go - I truly believe uniforms should be compulsory in schools and in our area they definitely are! I need to sort out my Geography as I read where you live on your profile but not sure how far that is from my brother! I loved it when I visited him there - so much more family oriented! xxxx
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 May 08
I am glad that the uniforms won't be that expensive for your son. I remember the Catholic school I went to (I'm not Catholic but the school was), had the most expensive uniforms... I don't think it's right that uniforms should be so expensive.
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
24 May 08
I don't think they should be so expensive either - I mean I could pay my months motgage with what a unifom costs for each child at the begining of the school year! xxx