Are the punishments too harsh for students who break school uniform policies?

I think that uniforms are great, but feel if the students have to wear uniforms that all school staff should have to wear them to. Fair is Fair.

I think the pockets on pants will not hurt a flea. They are going over board. With all that parents had to do and pay for these uniforms, I do not think they need to be knit picking. If they want to be that pickly, maybe they should rent them out or buy them with the $10.00 school fee they are trying to make parents pay on top of buying school uniforms and the teach supplies such as paper towels, tissue, elmers glue. The schools are getting away from funding anything anymore other than the teachers. Makes you wonder if the school are even public anymore.

I strongly support that school's punishment for these students. The rules were made available to all parents well in advance and they (the parents) clearly didn't follow the guidelines that were set forth. It's about time that someone attempts to instill discipline in our students because many parents have clearly failed in this regard and are setting their children up for failure. It would be interesting to know if the offending students are typical of those that drop out of school prior to graduation. If so more power to them we still need lots of unskilled minimum wage workers here in Eastern North Carolina.

To the ones that feel that being presentable even though it may be in violation of the policy on attire is secondary to the bigger issue of education of our children miss the point. The big issue is teaching parents and students to follow rules. We all do it in one way or another. It isn't painful, illegal or immoral and it doesn't cost any more to purchase attire that conforms to the rules than ones that don't. Somewhere along the way, parents are going to have to be parents and quit being friends. Support the schools and educators, they have your future in their hands.

I'd much rather pull up to the school and see the students wearing the same thing (basically) instead of seeing them with the crotches of their pants and their shirts hanging down to their knees and the pants are about 18" too long so they're all bunched up on their tennis shoes that arent laced up. I'm sorry but I have no problem with the uniform policy...it's actually cheaper to purchase the uniform clothing for my child! And for those that are trying to buck the system and wear their uniform clothing in a manner that is inconsistent with the rules that are very clear, then absolutely punish them. Just my opinion!

I keep seeing the comments about the faculty dress code. Parents don't yet realize it since school has just gotten underway but in Greene County, there was a revised faculty dress code adopted right along with the student dress code.

Uniforms teach children to judge others by the clothes they wear. One disturbing aspect of uniforms is students are told certain colors (and shades of colors) are "right" or "wrong." I worry children will apply these same color guidlelines to the people wearing the uniforms. Uniforms are only "cheaper" and "easier" if you have a child who is easy to fit. If your child is hard to fit, it is more expensive and time-consuming to find the clothes. I have seen children yelled at in the hall because their shirts were not tucked in. Some teachers at my child's school made the children pull up their shirts to see if a belt was being worn. Time spent enforcing uniforms could be spent teaching. The children of school employees seemed to get by without complying fully with the policy, while parents of certain kids are called over minute issues (such as whether pants are too light to be khaki, or if shirts are yellow instead of gold, or royal blue instead of navy blue, etc.) I have heard the conjecture about uniforms stopping bullying, and I can tell you firsthand uniforms DO NOT stop bullying and teasing. The teasing simply becomes more personal. Rather than teasing about clothes, the teasing turns to hair, speech, parents, weight, intelligence, etc.--things more personal and harder to change than clothes. I have told my children uniforms are a price they have to pay for their education. I have also made clear my concerns about the lessons uniforms teach. I have tried to tell my children they are responsible for themselves, and that I won't accept peer pressure as an excuse for their actions. Uniforms teach children it's best to go with the crowd, dress like everyone else, be like everyone else. This is a dangerous lesson for young people to learn. The most important lesson my chldren have learned from uniforms is that though life isn't fair, with the grace of God this, too, shall pass.

I agree with the uniform policy. I think it's the best thing that Pitt County School has done so far. Parents had all summer long to get what their child needed for the school year, also the guide lines were put out early enought for the parents to follow. It was not a hard rule to follow, unless you already have trouble following directions! Support your school and the uniform police, the students sure look nice, at the bus stop now. Great things are happening!

I am a student at one of the pitt county schools and im a very small person for my size....its extremly difficult to find clothes in my size. and i think its ridiculous that that there sending kids out of class just because they dont have the proper uniform on. that's taking kids out of there education.

I agree with the uniform in the school but when you get a call you have to pick your child up or bring a different color shirt to him at school that" taking it to far T dressed my child in a blue shirt uniform and pants the pants were ok but the shirt was not the color of the school that is just down right ridiculous it should not matter what color of a shirt just as long as it is a uniform shirt so now I have to buy more clothes for my child I send my child to school for a education not what color of his shirt, and as for me its hard for me too buy two sets of clothes but I can deal with that my question is just as long as your child is dressed in uniform should it matter what color shirt you wear how would you like it if you got a call about your child wearing wrong color to be suspended not I am not a rich parent I do the best I can but do not put a girl shirt on my child so he can stay in school when he wore a perfect desant uniform shirt that was uniform style so was it ok for my child to be embarrased during school because his uniform shirt was not the right color my child is just as important as the next one but let me know how you feel that your child comes home to tell you they told him to take his shirt off to wear a girl let me know how you feel it gave my child a complex and he is very serious about quitting school whos fault is that and it walks around seeing other people with wrong color and they do nothing to them so were does that help one person and not the next does it apply for everyone I think not I have no problem with uniforms I love it my children look so great but we are here to keep people from quitting not making the school empty thats the key to it all.

I disagree strongly with the current school uniforms! School uniforms can cause unnecessary hassels for families. If I pay taxes and a yearly fee for my child to attend public school, then why must I pay for an additional wardrobe? Parents are having to purchase two sets of clothing for their children, which in today's economy can be a financial hardship. For the school system to say that only certain colors and types of clothing is allowed can be restrictive to the development of their self-expression. I could understand if the uniforms were to consist of solid color shirts of any type as long as they are of a conservative cut. Then there are the pants. What's wrong with blue jeans? They are more durable and stain resitant than slacks! The purpose of uniforms is so that the children believe that they are all of the same economic and social background. Unfortunately this simply is not true. So instead of allowing our children to learn early on that some children have less financially or more than they do we are teaching a twisted sense of equality that as they grow older and experience more of how the world truly is will ultimate contribute to a warped sense of reality. I sincerely believe that learning early that some have and some don't allows children to understand that regardless of economic status they still have other commonalities which allows them to be friends. It also teaches children empathy for anothers plight. In addition children are able to differentiate a person's economic status with their character, which is a very important life lesson. I want my child to experience and learn this now not when he' eighteen and could be vulnerable to the misconception that because some one dresses nicely or like them that automatically they are the same and he does not have to wonder to the person's intentions. At school they are learning to assimulate and be the same, not individuals. As humans our first impression is visual and if we grow up believing that because we look alike we are alike than how are we to accept those who are different? The subtle lessons learned early in life like seeing some one dresses differently and being able to accept them anyway allows us to see past their physical appearance and look deeper. Or the importance of being wary of a stranger even if the stranger dresses or looks the same as you. Being open to difference whether economic,race, disabilty, sex, religion, and even clothing brings toleration and acceptance. Wouldn't we rather our children learn that at school when they are young instead of dressing the same makes us the same?

I have noticed in the first 4 days of school in the school my 2 kids attends they have been putting alot of effort in making sure the clothes on the backs of elementary students are the right ones and I THINK IF THEY PUT AS MUCH EFFORT IN TEACHING THESE KIDS THEY WOULD NOT BE A SCHOOL THAT HAS NOT PAST IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. I ALSO THINK THAT IT WOULD APPLY TO ANY SCHOOL IN PITT COUNTY THAT HAS NOT MADE THE GRADE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHY THEY DID NOT REVISE THE TEACHERS DRESS CODE IF THE DRESS CODE WAS PUT IN PLACE TO KEPT INTRUDERS OFF OF SCHOOL PROPERTY. BECAUSE MOST INTRUDERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE 5 TO 12 YEARS OLD THEY ARE GOING TO BE ADULTS OH MAN JUST LIKE OUR TEACHERS THAT ARE NOT IN SCHOOL COLORS. THEY ALL WILL LOOK THE SAME CHOOSE TEACHER OR INTRUDER....... PITT COUNTY WORKED VERY HARD THIS PAST YEAR TO IMPLEMENT SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR BUT CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT KIDS BEING ON A SCHOOL BUS 2 HOURS BEFORE GETTING HOME. ALSO PITT COUNTY CAN PAY TO BUS KIDS FROM THE BELVOIR AREA TO GRIFTON IF PARENTS WANTS TO MOVE THEM BECAUSE THE SCHOOL DID NOT MAKE THE GRADE OF PASSING. IF THEY CAN PAY THAT MUCH FOR FUEL THEN WHY ARE THEY NOT HELPING PARENTS WITH THE EXPENSE OF BUYING UNIFORMS OR GETTING A STORE IN PITT COUNTY TO GIVE A DISCOUNT TO PARENTS THAT PURCHASE UNIFORMS FROM THAT STORE. THEN WE COULD SAY THAT ALL KIDS WOULD BE DRESS ALIKE AND ONE KID WOULD NOT BE DRESSED BETTER THAN ANOTHER KID. AND THEN MAYBE PITT CO. SCHOOLS COULD SAY THERE WAS NOT A DISTRACTION IN THE CLASSROOMS.

I go to a High School and ever since the uniform policy, the school has gone downhill. First I was a little unsure about the uniforms, but now every day there seems to be a new rule to follow about the dress code. Tuck your shirt in, wear a belt. Just today, I got in trouble because I had a camisole under my shirt. The lace on the camisole was showing and she said it was considered 'underwear' and that I had to tuck it in. She caught me but five girls walked past with the same exact thing. And not only is the uniform thing becoming out of hand, the staff is locking the students in the lunchroom and in the gym in the morning. Not only is this a safety hazard but the space within the lunchroom lobby is VERY limited. I think the uniform thing is VERY out of hand. Comprimises should be made, like Casual Friday perhaps, or at least give us a wider range of colors. This plan is poorly thought out...

I don't like this type of punishment with the uniforms, simply because the staff at my school are so discriminating. Not all of them but mostly the assistant principles It seems like the principle is making up things as he goes along. And the same thing happens every day but as the days go by a new rule is added. It's ridiculous! Its bad enough where they have locked us in the cafeteria commons and the gym commons area where there are multiple hazards. The Uniforms is doing nothing for our school. Uniforms don't create equality or togetherness as parents and teachers may think. People still get made fun of, class is still distracting, and groups are still formed. Nobody cares. Clothes won't change a thing. You can have a polo and pants on, but still have a pair of 160 dollar Nikes and a gang symbol carved into your hair.

i dont feel sorry for the kids or the parents who are whining. Its a great idea and the schools look better having well dressed kids. Before you know it these new rules will be everyday routine and the spoiled brats and parents will be over it. One thing I dont like is the problems some have had with "colors"

I am totally against the school uniform policy. As for those of you who say the cost is no different, either you have small children or you don't do the shopping to purchase these clothes. In Pitt County the majority of parents can not afford to spend what these uniforms cost. The ones in charge need to be thinking about the entire community not just a few. Now don't get me wrong yes the children do look nice, but not all of the children dressed improperly before. You are punishing children who did follow the rules before. If Pitt County (or any school system) had spent this much time and energy inforcing the dress codes that were in place before we would not have gotten were we are. I do not even spend this much on clothes for myself. I have children in my neighborhood who could only afford to get 2 uniforms a piece. I believe the people in charge making these decisions need to live in the real world with the rest of us. If they would spend this much time and enrgy on our childrens education we would not have so many dropping out or failing. Why is it the teahers can wear what they want? And ask yourself this, If the dress code is so great why after only 1 year did Beaufort County Schools relax there dress code? I guess the ones in charge in Beaufort County have more brains or compassion. I use to think we live in a free Country now I we can only do what our Officials allow us to do. I say on election day we vote for anyone that is not currently in office it is obvious to me if the are currently serving they do NOT need to stay on the Board. I do plan to voice my opinion to anyone that will listen WE NEED A NEW BOARD!!

The uniforms are redicoulus! It is taking the individuality away from our kids. The uniforms were put into place because of the boys that wear their pants to the knees and the girls that reveal to much. Instead of the uniforms if the school would get off there tail and send the ones home that are wearing the wrong clothing they would see a difference, just like the kids at green county that was wrong. Oh! and what if a child went missing ( I pray that dont happen) but if one did how do you describe what they were wearing. You cant because thats half the county. The uniforms need to be done away with and let the kids be themselves, and send home the trouble makers it will change them or not. Your going to find out that our drop out rate is going to rise because of the fact you wont let them be themselves. Stand up for your kids and put this to an end. Let these kids learn and stop pushing them out give them back there individuality and send the ones home that are not appropriate, It will make a difference and you wont see kids dropping out.

There has always been a form of dress code in schools as there should be but I disagree with the "Uniform Dress Code". I am a grandmother and my major concern is if one of my grandkids became lose or missing during the school day. One of the first questions to be asked would be "What was he/she wearing?" and the answer would be the same as about 200 other children. This one fact concerns me greatly. There are other factors involved also, such as a child's indivuality and the extra financial burden it is putting on some families but my grandchildren's safety is my number one concern.

I do not know why so many people are complaining about the uniforms in school. The uniforms are cheaper than regular clothes and they make the children look like they are actually going to school and not to hang out spot. I do not think that the punishment is too harsh. Everyone knows the policy and they just need to follow it. Also, a uniform does not make a child or adult express thier individuality. There are more ways to do this. People need to stop whining and get with the program. This is the reason why so many students take over their household and rule it.

For those people who argue that we are "wasting" teaching time enforcing the uniforms, as a teacher, I'd like to share how this first week has been. I have reminded 3 girls to tuck their shirts in and one young man to please tighten his belt. (His pants were around his waist). All four students politely complied. This is a 180 degree difference in the past years where my day has been filled with "pull up your pants- I'm tired of seeing your underwear- please cover your bra straps - pull your shirt down please your midriff is showing- pull UP your pants - why don't you have a belt....." and on and on and on! ALL day long, and met with constant attitude and argument. The previous dress code wasn't working. Period. It's been a WONDERFULLY calm first week of school.

As for the argument that teachers should also wear uniforms, well, we weren't the ones with the sagging britches, underwear hanging out and wearing clothing suitable of hiding an arsenal of weapons. (Part of the reason for the restriction on Cargo pants). We do have a dress code and it's been in effect for several years. We just happen to abide by it.

This was announced in March of 2007. People had a year and then some to prepare for its inception.

I would like to comment on some of the opinions posted in favor of uniforms.

1- the cost of uniforms is not cheaper when you have to buy normal every day clothing and uniforms

2- the issue is not the fact that we don't want our children to look pretty, uniforms are not bringing equality and safety to schools as intended

3- pherhaps the reason children are conforming so readily to the uniform policy is because the teachers are actually enforcing it instead of turning a blind eye

4- teachers should also be forced to wear uniforms because if we are going for the " pretty look of assimulation " then all must conform

5- what is the appropriate punishment? certainly not locking children in confined spaces like animals.

6- children get away with what we as parents and teachers allow, if dress codes had been enforced to begin with we wouldn't be arguing about this now.

In todays society we are looking for the " easy button ". School uniforms are that button. The problem is it's only easier for a few. Since when did the needs of the few out-weigh the needs of the many? Where I went to school there were dress codes that were enforced along with other rules and we did not have gangs, or kids threatening teachers, as I'm sure is the same for many of parents. So what has changed between now and then in the classroom to make administrators think uniforms are best? Pheraps lax rule enforcement? Maybe poor parental involvement? Those seem much more likely than clothing. So instead of wasting money on uniforms and time locking up children or sending them home for wearing the wrong color, the school board should come up with programs to better the relationship between parents and teachers. Back in the day when I was a child, I knew better than to misbehave in school. If my parents received a call or not from school that was anything but glowing we were spanked and grounded. It seems as though parents are having less and less authority with their own children in terms of punishment and schools and our government are overstepping their boundaries with how parents can parent from everything to raising your voice to your child to what you must buy for them to wear. when will we as americans step up and say mind your own business! I am fully capable of disciplining my child as well as deciding what's appropriate for them to wear as is the majority of parents. In my opinion our taxes pay for our children's education, we buy the books, pay the teachers' salary, and the costs for coming up with things like uniforms, so why should pay additionally for the uniforms, or the yearly fee to attend public school? I beleive before implementing something that affects so many families there should have been more communication before enforcement. And simply sending a letter home saying this is what you must dress your child in doesn't cut it.

I dont believe the punishment is too harsh. There are rules that have been set into effect for everyone. Young people need to know that if they dont follow those rules, then there will be consequences for their actions.

Bottom line if the school system had spent this much time inforcing the last dress code we would not have had the problem with girls revealing to much and boys wearing clothes 2 sizes to big. I do not agree with locking children in a room (cafteria) or sending them home for wearing the wrong color. And if you are one of the people that say its cheaper, well obviously you were one of the parents that bought the expensive clothes before. As for myself I shopped on the clearence rack and these uniforms are NOT cheaper than what I usually spend on clothes.

I have 2 kids in the Farmville School District. At the end of last school year they sent out the colors for the school uniforms, my husband and I went 2 months before school started to purchase these uniforms and could hardly find them then. We have since went to every department store and the mall in Greenville to find the correct uniforms and still have had problems finding them. The school said to buy Royal Blue and now that we have spent at least $400.00 on the clothes they have since called and said that they want brighter blue. I have a huge problem with that. These clothes are not cheap and frankly just to think that my children will be suspended from school and miss out on getting their education over the wrong shade of blue is taking this way to far. Since when does the color of your shirt or if your pants of pockets on them have anything to do with how well you learn? The last I checked I have born my children and taken care of them and I don't think that anyone has the right to tell me what they can or can not wear. If the school board would take a little more time teaching our children rather than decided what they can or can not wear we may not have so many schools failing their EOG's. As long as these kids are dressed modestly than I really don't see what the problem is. Maybe they should start trying to figure out how to keep the kids in school, pass their classes, and meet the requirements to keep the schools off the failing list rather than worrying about what color their shirts are. Then maybe our kids will have a brighter future. It looks to me like the leaders in the schools are more concerned about what the kids are wearing than about what their grades are or even if they are in school at all. And teachers are supposed to lead by example so why can they walk around with their breast hanging out, jeans to tight, and dresses to short? Are they going to start suspended the teachers without pay for this??? I think that students can and will get into more trouble wearing these uniforms, as do many other parents I have spoken to. The perfect example of this is if a student was to get in a fight at the end of the hall how will the teachers know who started the fight or for that matter who was even fighting. The kid in the blue shirt and the khaki pants??? We have men who are charged with illegal activities on our school board and they are the ones who get to choose what our kids can wear to school, and what is so sad is that they are more concernerd with school uniforms than what kind of example that is setting for our kids. I guess it is great to teach our children its okay to break the law as long as they are dressed correctly. Let us teach our children morals and values, and schools teach them math, english, etc. It is time for parents to stand up for their children and for what is right and wrong and this is by far the most controlling wrong I have seen in a long time.

Personally I believe all parents against the dress code should get together and vote the current board out. We need a new board that works for the educational benifits of our children. I believe that if the schools want to be so specific about what the children wear they should buy the clothes. I also do not believe its fair to buy clothes for some if you are not going to buy for all. There are children whose parents are having to wash nightly because they honestly could not afford to buy more than one or two outfits. These uniforms cost alot ( at least they do for the teenagers). Can we please get back to whats important and thats there education. I can promise you if I get called to the school because the color is the wrong shade we will have a problem

i am a single parent of four and i know that the uniform ideal is the best thing
pitt county schools have done yet. the students looks like students and not
club goers or street walkers. for those parents that think their child should be

able to wear whatever they want to wear. then those parents should be able
to pay a fee of $5.00 for each child and for each piece of clothing that their
child wear that is not part of the uniform policy and give the money to the volunteers and staff. of the schools for their hard work and time spent.

I am amazed at the reaction of students and parents,about having to wear school uniforms. If they put this much emphasis on learning,we would have high marks in our Pitt Co, Schools. I would like to remind these complainers that there is a reason that they have the right to complain about uniform policies. If the armed services(Navy,Army,Marines, Air Force Coast Guard) did not wear uniforms,these spoiled brats would not have the right to complain about this trivial matter. Law enforcement officers wear uniforms to show their respect for their organization. There will always be dress requirements in most jobs. It is time to realize,if these KIDS want to live in an adult world,they must subdue some of their passion of being different. My advice for all of these kids is to join the real world and suck it up. Charles Carter 252 7584651

the so called spoiled brats do have the right to complain thanks to men like my husband who also have fought to ensure their other rights as well of those of their parents so that they may attend a PUBLIC school and be able to dress in a manner that suites them because they are just children, not law enforcement or military. if parents wanted their children to dress in uniform or if parents wanted to pay extra fees then wouldn't they send their children to private schools? a dresscode when properly enforced is more than sufficient in PUBLIC schools. lets place the blame of this where it belongs, parents who did not pay close enough attention as their kids left home and teachers who didn't see it as their job to enforce rules already set in place by schools for a dress code. parents are complaining because uniforms are not cheaper and are only a band aid fix for the lax in adult guidance when it comes to student dress. the few problem dress code violations that were ignored have caused this. parents and children are feeling punished for something they have not done. instead of turning entire families upside down with this financial burden why not just have enforced the previous dress codes? i'm pretty sure those rules included no short skirts and no profane garments. those complaining about the parents and kids reaction to uniforms are probably the type who instead of mending a sock or patching a pair of jeans just throws them out to buy new ones, so why would they complain?