Dear Nancy
Reagan's community opinion on School Uniforms
Dear Nancy,
A few weeks ago, there was a discussion around school whether or not the school district would implement uniforms for next year. Out of curiosity, I wondered why would the school board considers implementing uniforms? When I thought about the discussion more, I wondered was the school community's opinion on uniforms, how would the school community react to uniforms, and would the Reagan students simply comply if the school would implement uniforms or would they have some sort of negative reaction to uniforms?
- Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
After some research, I found out that the Milwaukee Public School Board proposed implementing uniforms to all Milwaukee Public Schools because of the improvement seen in both the community and students of schools that have already implemented uniforms. It was seen in schools that already implemented uniforms that students are less conscious of what they are going to wear at school and are less likely to bully others for their clothing. It is also seen that uniforms make shopping for clothes for the school cheaper by parents (“District-wide uniform policy,” 2017).
As of February 24,the school board has approved uniforms for the MPS district for the 2017-2018 year. The school district has made some exceptions, “Schools can opt out of the uniform policy if 66% of the school community votes… [against school uniforms]. Individual students may opt out if parents request an exemption in writing” (“District-wide policy,” 2017).
When it it came to your other questions, I believed it was best to interview several students and staff in the school community. Here are their perspectives on the situation:
(Some names are kept anonymous for privacy reasons.)
Junior:
Maritza said, “[The implementation of uniforms] doesn’t matter. Parents would be able to save money and bullying would decline since there would be one less of a reason to bully someone.”
Freshman:
Jasmine believes the “[uniforms] suck and could be just as distracting as regular clothes. Most people would be mad because our clothes are a way we can express ourselves.”
“[The uniforms] would put less pressure on the kids and would have less incidents of dress code violations” is the opinion of Ms. Moseby, a school safety, on uniforms. She agrees that Uniforms would help students and should be implemented.
Sophomore:
A Reagan sophomore thinks that the school shouldn’t implement uniforms because “the school wants us [students] to be unique but the uniforms restrict our creativity. Eventually the school community would accept uniforms.”
Senior:
Stephanie believes that “[the implementation of uniforms] shouldn’t follow through, …, students probably would have a negative reaction towards uniforms.”
Not only do students have personal opinions on the idea of school uniforms but teachers as well. Mr. Silva, Ms. Schuld and Ms. Carpenter have had their fair share of uniforms.
Senior English teacher, Mr. Silva had jobs with uniforms, and he didn’t like them. He believes, “There isn’t enough culture in school, and uniforms would get rid of what culture is trying to show.” He also believes that students may also have a negative reaction if uniforms are implemented and they “wouldn’t go down without a symbolic fight.”
Having had uniforms in high school, Schuld believes that uniforms “limit the creativity of students. Having a dress code is an awesome way to dress professionally and express themselves at the same time.”
Having worn uniforms from kindergarten to twelfth grade, Carpenter’s opinion is that the school community should choose whether or not the school should have uniforms. She liked that she didn’t have to worry about her clothing when she wore uniforms. If the school was to implement uniforms, she believes, “Students would have mixed feelings [on uniforms].” She believes that, “Students should be a part of the school’s decision on what the uniforms would look like. She believes “students could express themselves through the uniforms.”
A Reagan teacher said that “[uniforms are] a great way to show some community between and among school members. Uniforms would help stop distractions in the hot months of August and September.”
Overall, I believe if you have a personal problem with uniforms you should contact the school office and calmly and respectfully express your concerns.
Your Truly,
Nancy
A few weeks ago, there was a discussion around school whether or not the school district would implement uniforms for next year. Out of curiosity, I wondered why would the school board considers implementing uniforms? When I thought about the discussion more, I wondered was the school community's opinion on uniforms, how would the school community react to uniforms, and would the Reagan students simply comply if the school would implement uniforms or would they have some sort of negative reaction to uniforms?
- Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
After some research, I found out that the Milwaukee Public School Board proposed implementing uniforms to all Milwaukee Public Schools because of the improvement seen in both the community and students of schools that have already implemented uniforms. It was seen in schools that already implemented uniforms that students are less conscious of what they are going to wear at school and are less likely to bully others for their clothing. It is also seen that uniforms make shopping for clothes for the school cheaper by parents (“District-wide uniform policy,” 2017).
As of February 24,the school board has approved uniforms for the MPS district for the 2017-2018 year. The school district has made some exceptions, “Schools can opt out of the uniform policy if 66% of the school community votes… [against school uniforms]. Individual students may opt out if parents request an exemption in writing” (“District-wide policy,” 2017).
When it it came to your other questions, I believed it was best to interview several students and staff in the school community. Here are their perspectives on the situation:
(Some names are kept anonymous for privacy reasons.)
Junior:
Maritza said, “[The implementation of uniforms] doesn’t matter. Parents would be able to save money and bullying would decline since there would be one less of a reason to bully someone.”
Freshman:
Jasmine believes the “[uniforms] suck and could be just as distracting as regular clothes. Most people would be mad because our clothes are a way we can express ourselves.”
“[The uniforms] would put less pressure on the kids and would have less incidents of dress code violations” is the opinion of Ms. Moseby, a school safety, on uniforms. She agrees that Uniforms would help students and should be implemented.
Sophomore:
A Reagan sophomore thinks that the school shouldn’t implement uniforms because “the school wants us [students] to be unique but the uniforms restrict our creativity. Eventually the school community would accept uniforms.”
Senior:
Stephanie believes that “[the implementation of uniforms] shouldn’t follow through, …, students probably would have a negative reaction towards uniforms.”
Not only do students have personal opinions on the idea of school uniforms but teachers as well. Mr. Silva, Ms. Schuld and Ms. Carpenter have had their fair share of uniforms.
Senior English teacher, Mr. Silva had jobs with uniforms, and he didn’t like them. He believes, “There isn’t enough culture in school, and uniforms would get rid of what culture is trying to show.” He also believes that students may also have a negative reaction if uniforms are implemented and they “wouldn’t go down without a symbolic fight.”
Having had uniforms in high school, Schuld believes that uniforms “limit the creativity of students. Having a dress code is an awesome way to dress professionally and express themselves at the same time.”
Having worn uniforms from kindergarten to twelfth grade, Carpenter’s opinion is that the school community should choose whether or not the school should have uniforms. She liked that she didn’t have to worry about her clothing when she wore uniforms. If the school was to implement uniforms, she believes, “Students would have mixed feelings [on uniforms].” She believes that, “Students should be a part of the school’s decision on what the uniforms would look like. She believes “students could express themselves through the uniforms.”
A Reagan teacher said that “[uniforms are] a great way to show some community between and among school members. Uniforms would help stop distractions in the hot months of August and September.”
Overall, I believe if you have a personal problem with uniforms you should contact the school office and calmly and respectfully express your concerns.
Your Truly,
Nancy