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A-dressing the issue of school clothes
By Mary Madewell
Published November 12, 2009
The idea of some type of standardized dress for students in schools proposed by Pastor Rusty Hedges of Calvary Methodist Church in a letter to the editor Sunday deserves consideration.
I know the idea of some type of school uniform has been discussed in the past by Paris Independent School District trustees. I want to voice a strong second to the idea proposed by the minister and suggest all area school districts give the idea consideration.
Hedges suggested students in grades one through eight wear either navy blue or khaki slacks. Girls could either wear slacks or have the option of navy blue or khaki skirts. Walking shorts would be a good option when the weather is warm. I would suggest school districts consider standardized dress at high schools as well.
In Irving where Hedges lived prior to coming to Paris, students wore “golf” shirts, meaning solid color, short-sleeved, pullover shirts with collars in several different colors — red, white, light blue, dark blue or dark green. T-shirts with school logos might be an additional option. That’s about all my teenage grandson wears. He purchases them at school for different sports and organizations he participates in such as Beta Club, FFA, etc.
The points made in the pastor’s letter are worth repeating — just in case some of you missed reading his letter.
For parents, it simplifies shopping for school. Hedges said in Irving it proved less expensive because, since the policy was district-wide and the same year after year, school clothes were traded between neighbors and passed down within families. The clothes were regularly found in garage sales and thrift stores as well as department stores.
Standardized dress would be beneficial for our schools. As the pastor said, it does away with discussions about torn jeans, halter tops or T-shirts with offensive logos. He also noted it makes anyone not part of the student body stand out and makes it easier to recognize students on field trips and other off-campus activities.
In his letter, Hedges stated that the policy was also a plus for students because it “leveled the playing field.”
“There was much less emphasis on who was wearing what kind of jeans or tops,” Hedges stated. “In that regard, it simplified preparations or school for students and made for a more comfortable learning environment.”
Standardized dress would be a win-win proposition.
In the words of the pastor, “It simplifies the lives and saves money for the parents. It helps teachers and administrators focus on what is important, namely education. It helps the students be more comfortable, holds back some of the peer pressure and helps them focus on what they are supposed to be doing, namely learning.
Mary Madewell is the managing editor of The Paris News.
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