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As we enter the second month of the year 2009, things are starting to settle down. Projects for the year ahead are being implemented and actions left behind are being taken up again. This seems to be the case for Metro schools in Tennessee, which have been subject to a dress code policy as voted upon by the board.

This policy was put into effect in 2007 and requires students in the involved schools to wear regulation clothing - uniforms in other words. The required attire is as follows: “solid-colored shirts with collars; and slacks, shorts or skirts in khaki, navy or black.”

When the board enacted this policy in 2007, they also placed a clause which allowed individual schools to opt out of the policy coverage two years later - and now, two years later, some schools are going to take advantage of that opt out clause.

I do not understand why schools would not want their students to wear uniforms, though. The only problem I see with children having to wear uniforms is that they might have problems buying new sets if the old ones are too small or worn already. Now there is the argument that in these cash strapped times, it would be an additional burden for families to buy uniforms.

Metro Nashville Public Schools “shouldn’t pick and choose which part of a board’s motion it will follow, but should make the method of opting out available to the public and the principals,” said Mark Schoenfield, parent of two Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet students. “Given the economic situation, they should do so as quickly as possible to help families save money.” (Tennessean)

I do not see any problem with this is the old uniforms can be used. More so, it would actually be cheaper to have uniforms instead of having to buy children different sets of clothing to wear to school, wouldn’t it? Another fix for this situation could be for the government to subsidize uniforms. I don’t know how feasible this is but maybe discounts can be given for school uniforms?

In the same article I quoted above, there was one argument that I could actually agree with:

Nashville School of the Arts Principal Bob Wilson said his students are happier and more productive when they’re allowed to wear their own clothes. He said his school would be applying for an exemption.

“Part of being an artist is expressing yourself in the manner you dress,” he said. “Students at NSA have always dressed appropriately but at their design. (The policy) has not been a positive, nor necessary, experience for our students.”

Indeed, uniforms may prove to be restrictive in this sense. I guess the situation depends on each school? But then again, who is to say that one school should be exempt while the other should not?

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Posted on January 26th, 2009 by Deborah J Thomas
Filed under: Administrators, High School, K-6, News, People Involved, Security, Students