A meeting concerning school uniform policy in the Louisville Municipal School District was held on Wednesday afternoon at the District's Central Office. 25-30 parents, students and educators were in attendance. Superintendent Wade indicated that it had been six years since the policy had been reviewed and it was time to get public input on how the policies could be improved and to do so well before the school year started to give parents enough time to adjust to any policy changes.
Assistant Superintendent McMullen provided the group some background info on the history of the policy and the need for a school uniform policy indicating that regardless of uniforms, every school still had to deal with dress codes issues. LMSD provided a short video indicating how a lack of policy as simple as tucking in a shirt could present a safety issue, making it more difficult to identify and find weapons, drugs and gang related symbols.
Several suggestions considering colors of shirts and pants were made by participants with many indicating gray shirts and black pants should be added to the accepted policy. Others suggested black shirts as well. These colors would be in addition to the currently accepted white and maroon colors. One parent asked about the acceptance of colorful or "loud" socks. The administration indicated that in general there were no issues with a student's choice of socks. Cargo pants were also discussed due to their popularity and availability but there was some objection by parents and educators alike due to the design and the ease in which contraband could be hidden in them.
Acceptable accessories were also discussed, including the policy toward belts. It is the current policy of LMSD to require all students beyond the first grade to wear belts. McMullan said, "In high school, without a belt requirement, we are going to be looking at their boxers all day. Changes in policy concerning shoe color were also discussed as some parents indicated that it was often hard to find a solid or single color shoe.
Access to local vendors that carry clothing acceptable to the school policy was one of the major concerns of those gathered. There are fewer clothing retailers in the community this year and those still in place have not always been consistent in providing appropriate items. It was suggested that the District and parents contact local retailers and encourage their support. An additional suggestion was that the District support a "Uniform Swap" where parents could bring in clothing that their children had outgrown and swap them with others.
Some consideration was also given to changes in the policy that would act as an incentive to children by allowing those making Special Distinction to vary from the uniform policy at certain times. No decisions were made at the meeting but the administration hopes to have any policy changes in place prior to the printing of the 2012-2013 handbook and allow parents sufficient time to make purchases prior to the start of the school year.
W. McCully
1 comment:
All of these issues are important to parents like myself. I still have a major problem with the children not being able to wear cargo pant/shorts. My children receive hand-me-down clothes from a number of our family members and friends and much of these clothes are indeed cargo pants. I cannot afford to buy much so many times I depend on these clothes given to us to get us through at least half the school year. Students can hide much much MORE in their own book bags than in the pockets of these cargo pants, so I think something has to give here.
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