http://www.ocala.com/article/20080625/NEWS/806250440/0/news

I know I personally would hate having to wear black, tan, gold or yellow. Those are not my
colors, lol.

Should they change the dress code or not?
Will this help with behavior issues and enhance learning or is this just an added expense for parents?

Shady Hill Elementary has a "voluntary" uniform policy. If you choose to wear the uniform, they have a choice of colors for the shirts: burgundy or gray which is the school's colors, light blue, navy blue, white, and I think the girls can where pink. Pants have to be either kakhi, navy blue or gray. The shirts are polo's and have the school's crest (which there are about 4 or 5 differents styles now). Any sneakers were okay.

My son has worn them for most of kindergarten and 1st grade. Half of second grade he wore them, but my little guy is pretty tough on his clothes (and uses his shirt for a napkin which drives me insane) so by Christmas, his uniforms were a mess and I ended up switching to plain clothes.

Personally, I really like uniforms and wouldn't mind if they made them mandatory. I didn't see them as an additional expense. I just ended up buying less of regular clothes. And it made it kind of a no-brainer figuring out what to wear every morning. I think that they just look better. As for behavior, forget it...wearing uniforms does not create a better behaved student, just a better dressed one.

At Dr. NH Jones, uniforms are mandatory. As a teacher...I loved them and as a parent, I think I'll love them even more. They really help to equalize the differences in social class and take away clothes as a distraction at school. (pants hanging off, my clothes are more expensive than yours,etc.).

As far as them being an expense...at Jones they have a swap program in which they allow you to bring your child's old uniforms in and swap them with ones that someone else has brought in that fit better. Also, I know that when I was growing up, twice a year, my parents spent a boat load setting my sis and I up for school clothes for that season. This really may be a cheaper choice than the other way.

Also, I had parents tell me that it cut back on the arguements in the morning about what was going to be worn to school that day.

Navy, yellow, white and khaki are the colors that Jones' uses. I think it looks great on all of the kids!

I went to a private high school. We didn't have uniforms but guys wore button-down shirts w/ ties and we had to wear skirts or dresses.
IMO, it helped us act more professional, learn better, pay attention more, look at it as a job, etc.... The school prepared us so well that I was actually bored my first two years of college at UF!

I love the idea of having uniforms! I believe kids are too focused on dressing to impress, showing off their name brand attire. It takes away from learning. I remember hearing people complain about the high prices, but if you go to Target or WalMart, they have the polo shirts and uniform pants for way less than the name brand clothes you'd buy. I'm totally for it!

I would LOVE for Dunnellon Elem. to do uniforms it would cost far less then what we have to spend on shoes and skirts for our two girls right now. Nothing bugs me more then when i here my 7 and soon to be 9 year olds beg for a clothing item just for the simple fact a friend had it on that day at school. I don't understand why they don't "try" this out for all of Marion County. It won't hurt to give it a try.

My son wears uniforms to school now and I love it! Uniforms are alot less expensive than having to have the big name brand clothes that the other kids have. The kids are all equals and it helps out the lesser to do kids whose parents cant afford the name brand clothes to be on the same level as their more affluent peers. As far as how they act and how they learn- I see no difference there.

Hello all, I actually moved here about 7 years ago from Lousiana. The city I lived in went to having every child wear school uniforms. Some parents complained at first but I think they began to noticed how much of a change they saw in the kids at school. I think the uniforms are an awesome idea and I am all for it.

Uniforms are the best I couldnt imagine not ever having my kids in a uniform school! It avoids too many issues and a child need not be looked at for their clothes!

I wonder if there is anyway to get our "positive" comments to Susan Mosley (she's the one pushing for the uniforms). I don't know if they would help any, but maybe it would give some "parental support" to her request. Anybody have ideas or connections?

I oppose mandated school uniforms in public schools!!!

First of all, for those who want uniforms so that they won't have to spend so much to have their kids "dress to impress"... well don't spend so much. Learn to say no to your children for those high dollar items.

I lived in a district that implemented uniforms for all the reasons you all state. Sounded good- until the parents started griping that they couldn't afford uniforms for their kiddos, at which point the school district stepped in and purchased uniforms for those kids. That cost the taxpayers and ultimately, other students because that cost came from the district budget.

Plus, I just don't like big brother giving another mandate to me.

At my daughters school the ones who CANT afford ...they have used uniforms for 2-3 dollars. Now we know that anyone can afford so really its not about the money at least for this school. Not sure if others have this type of buy back programs and exchange for sizes your kids will fit into the next year.

No matter if you tell your kids no to high dollar and popular items your child will still have to feel the looks and rude comments and others judging them by what they wear and I think that is not a positive outcome in a learning experience. School is not a fashion show or a place for popularity contests but a place to learn and to get an education..Anything that will help my child focus more on studies I say is a plus then have to worry about silly things like clothes where unfortunately some kids do end up worrying about. In a uniform school that isn't at all an issue or discussion. The kids can wear what they want on weekends, on holidays and afterschool activities at night.