Would you call in a favor?

TwoChickens

Our school district is lazy and has decided to enforce uniforms next year for public schools.

My MIL happens to be great friends with the assistant superintendent. He told me that if I needed anything, to pay him a visit.  I'm thinking about paying him a visit and discussing with him my views on the pending uniform policy.

Basically, I need a better reason for this new policy than the reason they're currently providing.

So would you call in this favor and pay him a visit?

DandR

huh?  what's wrong with uniforms?  What is their reasoning? And what do you think you will accomplish by talking to him?

 

elm1032004

Personally I'd be all for the uniforms.  It eliminates the fights with your kids as they get older about what is approaite to wear to school.  It gets rid of the distractions and the competition over clothes, it ends up costing you less for your child's wardrobe and there is evidence that kids in uniforms do better in school. 

Expecting0207

I also don't get it.  Many of the public schools around here require uniforms (school colors and khaki pants, no visible logos).

I wouldn't want to put myself out there to something I personally don't think it is a huge deal.  

TwoChickens

I have nothing against uniforms.  Here's why they want uniforms.

Last semester, some kids posed as high school students and went to class with other kids.  No teachers noticed, no administrators noticed, no other students questioned.  It was finally questioned when the kids tried to ride the bus home with other students.

Instead of using an ID card system (basically each student wears an ID around their neck like teachers are required to do), they're going to use uniforms.  I don't see uniforms as being a solution.  It could happen again if this same group of kids wore a navy polo and khaki pants.  It would be far more difficult for them to reproduce the school system's ID.

And I want reassurance that all other resources/solutions have been remedied before going to uniforms.  

 

eclaires

uh, do you really think your complaint is going to do anything even if you're friends with the guy?  It's likely out of his hands, esp at this point.  So, no.

and what's wrong w/ uniforms?  why do they need a better reason?  It's school.  There are rules.  Generally, there are even dumb rules, but that's their prerogative.

jessicaclare

I'm all for uniforms, but that is a really strange reason to make the switch.

DandR

my answer remains NO...you will just look like a fool for arguing over something that is going to help the kids most likely.  The problem with the kids posing as students is bigger than uniforms, for sure...but still, ID's may not help that either....I don't know.  I'm SURE there is more to it than JUST that.

elm1032004

Yeah, I agree that their reason is kind of lame but I would still prefer the uniforms so I wouldn't call in a favor over that.

Expecting0207

I'm still going with no.  This is the ASST superintendent you have a contact with - he is probably not the only person making this decision.  If you really want to have your viewpoint heard I'd attend a school board meeting to understand their full rationale.

 I forget your kids ages but they are pretty young and I would save my 'favor' for a real issue that directly impacted my kids.  I wouldn't want to be known as the one that 'cries wolf' or is just a complainer.  Save it for if your kids has one horrible teacher, is bullied, or some other situation that would warrant you to really go to bat for him.

Mrs.LB705

I don't follow.  How is this 'lazy" on the part of the school district?  And how on earth are you going to call in a favor???  Unless you are owed a HUUUUUUGE favor, he isn't going to change the policy for you . . . and I can assure you that you don't want JUST your kids being out of uniform!

cristiana

So they sent out information that due to that incident, they were making the switch to uniforms?

hopefulmom

I don't think I'd want to be labeled as "that" parent over something like uniforms.  So..."no" I would not call in a favor and visit him.  he is the assistant superintendent and is not the final say to anything.  I'm sure there are other reasons for them besides your school district "being lazy".  Did they send a reason with the description of the uniforms...besides the episode with kids coming to school that didn't belong there? 

Personally I LOVED uniforms.  My older kids wore them for years.  When my oldest DD went to public school in 9th grade I wished for them back.  A HUGE expense and a lot of monitoring going on (no controversial graphic stuff, no belly showing, no shorts, no crop pants, skirts a certain length, no sandles or flipflops, etc).  Uniforms were easier and cheaper.

BTW...I would think ID tags hanging from around their neck could be a hazzard in a couple of ways.  Any parent coming to the school would know your child's name (and what if said parent was a pervert?) and just the idea of anything hanging from around the neck...all kinds of ways injuries could happen (especially with young children).

 

TwoChickens

Yeah.  They said there was an incident that sparked the "uniform movement".  They stated there was an issue with "non students posing as students and attending class at **** High School".

Angela814

I think it's a strange reason to start having uniforms, but all in all, I don't think uniforms are a big deal. I'd be more concerned that the teachers didn't notice new students in their classes.

SaraSmile

Ugh I would LOVE uniforms in public school.  It would be so much easier (on the kids IMO - no clothing wars) and on the parents (financially).  What reason on they giving ... and how it is considered "lazy"?

EliseB0323

I am guessing a lot of people want uniforms and are just using that incident to have a "bigger" reason to justify the uniforms. You meeting with the asistant superintendent isn't going to change anything. I am not personally a fan of public school uniforms, but you aren't going to win this one at this point.

cristiana

It is kind of odd that they would list that as the only reason for making the switch. However, as others have mentioned, there are many more positive reasons for introducing uniforms. Higher academic success, a sense of community, cost-effectiveness, etc.

Is this something that the school board decided upon? If so, the asst. super. is not going to be able to do anything besides possibly explain more reasons for the change, which you can just google yourself.

I also don't think little kids wearing neck id is a good idea. It doesn't sound safe with them being on play equipment and with the possible rough housing that may occur.

veloelle

LOL. I hardly think enforcing a uniform policy = lazy. I'd much rather have a "lazy" administration that focused more effort, time and $$ on acedemics than spending $$ on a costly ID system that could EASILY be forged if someone wanted on campus *that* bad.

KoriBrett

As much as I'm for free expression and not conforming bla dee bla dee bla, I wouldn't get my panties in a wad over it to be honest.  I think there are way more important things to save a school favor for.

And ditto xti on the neck tags - I mean, kids sitting behind you could just yank hard on the sucker & half clothesline you.

AggieCouple

I agree that this is not really a "favor", just a complaint, that wouldn't have much effect.

BUT, although I'd prefer uniforms personally for the reasons cited above, I know they are expensive.  My sibs spend WAY more on their kids' uniforms than they would for a full wardrobe from Old Navy or Target.  Pants are like $40; polo shirts $35!  For something they outgrow in half a year and/or rip in less time.  I can see if you already have clothes for your kid, moving to a whole new expense would totally suck.

praline

Well if they are going to uniforms in order to avoid dealing with all the issues that come with policing kid's outfits in favor of spending time and energy teaching them, then I'm all for the school being "lazy."

I think it's kind of weird that you think that by knowing the superintendent you could actually influence this decision.  You must feel like a pretty entitled parent. 

So for this, no I wouldn't "call in a favor."

penguingrrl

Ditto pp who said she'd be more upset that the teachers didn't notice a student they didn't know in their class.  That scares me.  I'm personally not a fan of uniforms and think that's very strange reasoning for the switch, but there are far bigger issues I'd save my favor for.

P.G.&A.M.

No I wouldn't contact the assistant superintendent about this, but if you still have safety concerns maybe you could bring it up to the school board.

Yodajo

praline:

Well if they are going to uniforms in order to avoid dealing with all the issues that come with policing kid's outfits in favor of spending time and energy teaching them, then I'm all for the school being "lazy."

I think it's kind of weird that you think that by knowing the superintendent you could actually influence this decision.  You must feel like a pretty entitled parent. 

So for this, no I wouldn't "call in a favor."

Ditto!

Snowbride02

I don't think you need to call in a favor just to discuss this.  School administrators are pretty open.  You could probably just call and ask for an appointment or send him an email.  And I agree that he's not going to change a school wide policy just because you asked him to.  But, if you really want to discuss it or want more of an explanation, make an appointment.  I don't think there is anything unreasonable or favor worthy about that.