Alberta_Rose

Thanks, I am warming to this theme.

Here's an interesting article. Kids can also learn a lot about design, fashion and marketing and democracy too, while they're at it ......

http://www.education-world.com/a_adm...admin418.shtml

raine66

ok, ok, I'm luvvin it, can you come to school when I put this to the committee

rae

what about sponsorship as well, they could all have 'oilers' on the fronts of their jumpers and 'exxon' on the rear of the blazers.

Alberta_Rose

ROFL well you are welcome to use the article! Good Luck!

Steve_P

So you're wanting this to go through the entire system from elementary to high school?

stepnek

I just had a quick look through this thread and it seems like it's the Brits (naturally as it's britexpats) that are in favour of a uniform.

My only experience since being here is of my (at the time) 14 year old daughter attending school and loving the fact there were no school uniform requirements. Since then she's thrived over here in comparison to her old uniformed school back in the UK where she was periodically on the end of some bullying.

I recall her old school and it's uniformed yobbish atmosphere and it pales compared to the two schools she's now attended over here.

Sorry, but no one will convince me that school uniform encourages discipline it's all just nonsense. I used to work at a private school back in England and the behaviour of the kids was dreadful. Also, have you seen just how scruffy kids can look in a uniform they clearly don't want to wear? Plus it got more and more expensive as schools started insisting on funky little designs that meant parents had to buy from the school shop at inflated prices.

All anecdotal stuff of course but I truly doubt that a uniform helps a school run any better.

rae

quite right, sound thrashings and early morning runs followed by cold baths are the order of the day.

stepnek

Exactly. Just like it was in my day!

Beastie

Some very valid points have been made on this thread and its nice to see it being done in good spirit.

From my perspective, both as a parent and as someone who works with vulnerable children within a secondary school environment, I am in favour of uniforms providing the school is prepared to be consistent in the way it enforces the policy of uniform being worn in an appropriate way. I have never had any pupil tell me that wearing their uniform was restricting their freedom of expression and it is my belief that creativity and expression of ones self can easily be demonstrated in ways that do not conflict with the sense of community and belonging that uniforms can instill in young people.

It has been my experience that 'non uniform days' when pupils can wear what they want (within reason) cause a great deal of stress for those individuals who come from poorer families, those who's personal style is less conventional and those who have a generally low self image. Peer acceptance is immensely important to young people and being considered different or not as good as someone else simply because of the clothes they wear can have a disastrous impact on their school lives. A uniform on the other hand generally provides everyone with the safety of anonymity and allows the focus to be on who they are instead of what they wear. I find it hard to believe that young people in the Canadian education system are free from this kind of peer pressure and the resulting social/educational difficulties it creates.

Would it be wrong of me to suggest that those people who emigrate to Canada with children generally have the financial means to provide their children with clothes that are socially acceptable within their high school environments once there? If not (and I am more than happy to accept that this might be too much of a generalisation for some) then is it not fair to say that those children are bound to be happier not having to wear a uniform at their new schools because their own clothes are more comfortable and they still blend in?

Finally, I have never considered school uniform as being a 'costume of comformity'. Reminds me of something Wolfie from the 70's show Citizen Smith would say (now I am showing my age).

Come the revolution!!!!!

Stab vest on, barricaded in and awaiting the inevitable incoming fire

John

dbd33

Perhaps a uniform school would a good choice for a newly arrived kid as it would be one less different thing, you can't help your children speaking better than the locals but at least with a uniform they won't stand out for having better clothes.

stepnek

Truly, since arriving in Canada nearly three years ago we've found ourselves struggling a little financially. We haven't over indulged my teen daughter in designer clothing at all and I've never been aware of her feeling pressured to wear a label of one kind or another. Believe me she'd have no trouble in letting us know if she did!

Your point about one off non-uniformed days. Those days probably create pressure as to what to wear because they are one off special occasions. I'm not especially anti-uniform I just think that the reasons given for it's use really don't make a good argument and it's just a traditional parents viewpoint of "don't they all look nice in a uniform".

raine66

Like I said, I'm not suggesting it for any age group in particular.

It's simply something I thought maybe up for discussion with the committee members.

Steve_P

But in your original post you stated "I'm thinking of approaching our school committee in September regarding school uniforms."

So is your school an elementary, junior high, high school, what?

Judy in Calgary

Elementary.

daft batty

I'm generally against uniforms.

I hated school, and 30 years later still feel ill at the thought of the place, so this will colour my opinion. We wore uniforms, one for summer with a straw boater, one for winter, with a felt hat. Plus gym clothes, summer and winter and hockey gear, Even the makes of coat and shoes were specified. They had to be bought at great cost from one shop in town, or you could get them second hand but my mother wouldnt send us to school in second hand clothes.(thank goodness) The paid for pupils still knew you were an 11 plus girl, the differences in class and income were there for all to see in the way you spoke, ie whether you called your parents mummy and daddy or mum and dad, also the type of car your parents drove, where you lived, took your holidays etc. Uniforms didnt even that out at all, plus left you open for more bullying by the others in the town who didnt go to that school. Ugh horrid horrid, schooldays the best days of your life?- my arse.

Anyway then I worked as a radiographer in the UK, uniform supplied by the hospital, no nail polish, hair tied back, no unusual hair colours etc. So more people telling me what to wear.

And now? I'm an x-ray tech I can wear what I like as long as its clean and smartish. I can buy scrubs to wear or i can wear a white coat over my own clothes. Trouble is I am confused by having this choice, what does everyone else wear, how will I fit in best? 40 years of indoctrination is hard to fight, but I'll get over it pretty soon and and loving being able to be me.

So no, no uniforms.