THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 18, 1995 TAG: 9506170106
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
In response to ``Trying uniformity'' (Beacon, news, June 11) regarding Strawbridge, Seatack, Thalia and Windsor Woods elementary schools: If the schools and board really wanted to know parents' opinion, they should have given us the courtesy of mailing us a survey instead of sending two or three copies home with each child, only to have them lost or received too late and tossed in the garbage.
Even though we all try to be responsible and involved parents who make sure homework is done and checked, sometimes we miss those added papers that are supposed to reach us.
I don't feel that makes me a bad parent or my child irresponsible; it just makes us a normal family with lots to do. Anyway, it was the school's and the board's responsibility to be sure that all parents were informed on the uniform issue even if it meant calling us.
I was furious last Sunday when I found that I would be doing my school shopping this year at J.C. Penney's. I would like to know just how many other parents found out this way. So I got up this morning and did a little homework of my own. The uniforms won't be in the store until the middle or end of July, so don't plan on buying a little at a time. Plan on standing in long lines when the uniforms finally hit the stores, especially if you only have evenings and weekends to shop. After all, everyone will be going to the same store, the same department, from four schools.
Also the cost in the Beacon was misleading. The price list to outfit my child is: shirt, size 12, $9.99; slacks, size 10, $14.99; shorts, size 10, $11 to $14.99; skirt, size 12, $14.99. The sweater can only be ordered from the catalog at $14.99, and it is not a girl's sweater, it is a boy's sweater. That might not mean anything to some of you but to my daughter it is a big deal. Don't forget the postage and handling when ordering.
I don't know about you, but there is no doubt in my mind that for four uniform days a week, I will need to start with at least three slacks, two shorts, four shirts, a skirt and a sweater at the cost of about $156. You can buy more or less depending on just how often you are willing to do laundry.
Now if you are sitting there saying that you will have to buy school clothes anyway, then think of this reality: The uniform will be an added cost because you are still going to have to buy those jeans, sweat shirts, T-shirts, etc., for other occasions.
I plan on still doing my school shopping this summer, but I will not be told what to buy and where to shop. This is my money and I will spend it at the stores I want to.
If the argument is that the students' dress as-is causes disturbance, then will it not cause the same or more disturbance when half the class is in uniform and half not? And if there is that much ridicule going on now, what happens when slacks are faded, shirts are no longer white and the parent can't afford a new one right away?
If these fine school administrators are so fired up about this new development, why are they not wearing the uniforms? Strawbridge will have an adult dress code. Seatack, no. Thalia will have a dress code, and Windsor Woods has it under consideration. Even with a dress code teachers can put on a nice navy skirt or slacks that are flattering with a nice white shirt or sweater.
I'm not sure who came up with the uniform but it isn't even cute. It looks like something a college prep student would wear, not a grade schooler going to play in the playground. I can only imagine how many white shirts I would have to purchase to keep them white after a day in the dirt. And the boys should have lots of fun playing baseball in a tie.
I have no intention of buying these uniforms and, in all fairness to the schools, I keep hearing that it is a voluntary program. But what about next year? When will it be mandatory? And what next - will a committee tell me how to dress my baby?
Are they not teaching our children that in order to learn you have to look alike? Should the girls be dressed unisex? Is it not OK to be dressed like a girl? Do we live in the United States or Russia, Democracy or Dictatorship?
Daleen Tossorojas
Virginia Beach
KEYWORDS: SCHOOL UNIFORM by CNB