FAQs - MacArthur Elementary Uniform Committee
The below are questions we have
received so far from the MacArthur Community, please contact us at macuniform@gmail.com if you don’t
see yours addressed.
Who
are the Members of the Committee?
Elizabeth Jones (Committee Chair)
Karen Avery-Chapman
Dena Battle
Sally Eastman
Eugenio Fischer
Crystal Gaines
Kathleen Kuehnast
Jeff Lane
Deanne McNulty
Afandi Mulahi
Katie Munson
Carolyn Ostermann-Healey
Chad Sarchio
Christina Sarchio
Dara Surratt
Ann Tucker
Vincent Penrose
Vincent Penrose
Debbie
Thompson, MacArthur Principal
Melva
Holloman, MacArthur Asst. Principal
When
will uniforms be instituted?
A decision has not been made as to whether
uniforms will be instituted at MacArthur, but if accepted by the MacArthur
families, would not be instituted until the fall of 2012. See below for more details on the key
decision points in this process.
How
did this issue come about? Some
MacArthur parents began communicating to the PTA about their interest in having
uniforms. The PTA mentioned it at their
April 2011 meeting and the school held an informational meeting at the end of
April 2011. Shortly thereafter a preliminary
survey was distributed. The survey
results showed a level of interest that prompted Mrs. Thompson to support the
creation of a Uniform Committee. The
Committee is working to develop a potential uniform that parents can react to
and will provide additional information to parents before a final survey is conducted
to determine whether or not to adopt the policy.
What
are all the steps the Committee has taken or will take to inform parents? The Committee prepared a letter for Mrs.
Thompson to send out to current students prior to the end of the 2010-11 school
year. They also provided an update (and
will continue to do so) at PTA meetings.
A letter and briefing was provided at step up day to all incoming
kindergarten parents and that same letter will be provided to all new families
at MacArthur.
In the fall, a brief update will be provided at both back to school nights, two open
community meetings will occur in the fall, a display board will appear in the
entryway, input collected from teachers, students and administrators will be
considered, and a final survey to determine whether or not to adopt a voluntary
uniform policy will go out to all MacArthur families in mid October with a
several week window to respond.
Additionally, all uniform committee meetings will be open to the public.
I
heard a large portion of the PTA budget would be devoted to providing uniforms. Is this correct?
There are currently no funds in the PTA budget devoted
to providing uniforms. According to the City
of Alexandria’s Policy on the implementation of a uniform, if it is decided that
MacArthur will adopt a voluntary uniform policy, the Committee will need to
develop a process to ensure all students can have uniforms, even if they cannot
afford them. The Committee will be
giving some thought to this during the fall and will provide some specifics to
the community. The majority of this work
and discussion would occur only if a uniform policy is to be enacted. In short, this is a discussion that would
need to occur with the community as part of the PTA budget process. The Committee is mindful of needing to have
preliminary information and so has been working to identify some rough dollar
amounts.
Why aren't we implementing a voluntary uniform policy this fall?
The initial survey that was conducted
in spring 2011 showed sufficient interest in adopting a voluntary school
uniform policy. However, there was not
enough time left in the school year to follow the City’s procedure in time for
adequate communication for the start of school in September 2011. The required procedure is to first establish
a uniform committee to help evaluate the options; provide information to
parents; and then conduct a final survey that will determine whether or not to
formally adopt and implement a new uniform policy. The most recent Alexandria public school to
implement a uniform policy, Maury Elementary, began its community conversation nine
months in advance of a fall implementation.
The community discussion at MacArthur did not begin in earnest until
late April. With only two months remaining
in the school year it was felt that there was not enough time to work out all
the details that would be necessary to be in compliance with the City policy.
Is the proposal mandatory? According to the City of Alexandria School Board policy, as well as the Virginia State Guidelines, a uniform policy cannot be mandatory -- in that no student can be forced to comply. A student does not need to wear a uniform if the student or parent chooses not to participate. Lyles Crouch has a different, mandatory uniform policy because the uniform policy was codified in its founding charter as a ‘traditional academy’ and as such was not required to follow this type of process. Maury has implemented its own uniform policy. Mount Vernon attempted to implement a voluntary uniform policy, but because of low participation it was not continued.
What happens if my child does not wear a uniform to school?
Nothing. There can never be any repercussions for not
wearing a uniform at MacArthur.
What if my child participated but wears the wrong thing?
It is important to emphasize that the
policy is voluntary and no student can ever be penalized for not wearing a
uniform or wearing the wrong items.
How specific would a uniform dress code be?
The Committee is working to ensure
families would be able to procure the uniform wherever they normally shop for
school clothes. Details will be
available in the fall and the Committee will circulate draft dress code
language for the MacArthur Community to respond to.
Would soft yoga pants only be allowed on gym days? Or would
they be allowed any day as long as they conform to colors? The Committee is trying to be responsive to those students with
specific clothing needs and is therefore suggesting that soft yoga pants be
permitted at any time, however, it is preferred that sweatpants not be worn.
How much would uniforms cost?
The Committee will be working on these
details over the summer. They will also
be discussing options such as mass procurement, uniform sharing closets (to
pass on unneeded uniforms to someone the next size down), etc. Visit this link for the pricing sheet that we developed based on the non discounted cost of the proposed uniforms at a variety of retailers.
What if I can't afford the uniform?
If the policy is adopted, the
Committee would work with school administrators and other relevant staff to
develop mechanisms so that anyone wanting to participate can do so regardless
of ability to pay for the uniforms.
Why have a uniform policy if it is not mandatory?
According to Alexandria City
guidelines, if a significant majority (at least 60% per the City Policy) of MacArthur
families support the adoption of a voluntary uniform policy, then a voluntary policy
can be adopted. The policy could never
be made mandatory because MacArthur is a public school and the state and local
guidelines speak specifically to a school uniform not being mandatory. (Lyles Crouch has a mandatory uniform policy,
but that school was set-up with a different charter than all other public
schools in Alexandria.)
What are the reasons being given for those who favor adopting a
voluntary school uniform policy?
There are a variety of reasons
provided by those in favor. Please see
the compiled listing of uniform pros/cons at the tabs at the top of our website:
PROs; if you have a reason that is not listed, please
contact us.
What are the reasons being given by those who oppose adopting a voluntary school uniform policy?
What are the reasons being given by those who oppose adopting a voluntary school uniform policy?
There are a variety of reasons
provided by those opposed. Please see
the compiled listing of uniform pros/cons at the tabs at the top of our
website: CONs; if you have a reason that is not listed, please contact us.
What does the research say about uniforms in schools?
The Uniform Committee has decided not to provide this information. As with any scientific study there are a variety of viewpoints covered and there are multiple components of how uniforms could impact a school environment that could be studied. The Committee decided to provide the information that is specific to MacArthur and the ACPS and allow people to do their own research if they so choose.
What does the research say about uniforms in schools?
The Uniform Committee has decided not to provide this information. As with any scientific study there are a variety of viewpoints covered and there are multiple components of how uniforms could impact a school environment that could be studied. The Committee decided to provide the information that is specific to MacArthur and the ACPS and allow people to do their own research if they so choose.
Is this a 'done deal'?
No. The Committee is composed of both those
who are for and against uniforms as well as those who are neutral. The Committee is following the City of
Alexandria’s policies in regard to the uniform issue and will solicit input from
the MacArthur Community. After a new survey
is conducted, the Committee will tabulate the results and provide them to the
Principal. (The parent survey results would
be considered binding from a policy standpoint.)
I’m hearing lots of rumors.
How can I verify what I’m hearing?
If you have questions at any time or are
hearing information that is not addressed on this website, please reach out to anyone
on the committee. We are trying to be as
open and communicative as possible, but the Committee cannot hear every rumor
or misinformation circulating among parents and students. We want to ensure accurate information is
being provided to everyone. Our meetings
are open to the public, so please feel free to attend.
What are the next steps?
Over the summer, the Committee divided
into 3 subcommittees to focus on communications and how to reach out to the
MacArthur community, uniform logistics, and developing a survey for the various
stakeholders at MacArthur. We will
reconvene as a whole Committee to prepare for the Back-to-School nights in the
fall. The Committee will also provide
outreach to Hispanic parents in October, and hold 2 community meetings prior to the survey distribution
in late October. By Thanksgiving, all
surveys will be due back (specific date TBD) and we should have the results
shortly thereafter.
Will
this be the final survey regarding uniforms conducted for the 2011-2012 school
year?
Yes.
If
I'm neutral, do I still need to complete the survey?
Yes! It is
very important to get as many people as possible to respond to the survey, so
we have a representative and accurate response rate. If you need additional information to help
you make an informed decision, please let us know.
When will the uniform committee meet?
Times vary throughout the fall. All meeting times and updates will be
announced on PTA Google groups, so please sign on if you aren’t signed on
already. You can also call the front
office to get the latest information.
Where can I learn about the state and local guidelines and
regulations?
In Virginia, the State Board of Education
has developed guidelines for local boards to use when establishing uniform
policies. The guidelines suggest ways to involve parents and the communities,
protect students’ rights, and consider the ability of students to purchase the
uniforms. No state funds will be used
for uniforms. We are required to follow the City Policy regarding school uniforms.
Does the School Board/Central Administration know about this?
Yes, the Alexandria Superintendent and
other Board officials have been informed, and will be kept updated throughout
our process.
When will a decision be made?
If the surveys are returned before
Thanksgiving, the results will be tabulated and forwarded to school
administrators. It is hopeful that the
results will be shared with the MacArthur community after the holiday break.
How can I communicate my views or ask a question?
There are several ways to communicate
with the uniform committee. You can
submit a comment on this website – anonymously if you wish -- in the ‘contact us’
section; you can contact the front office; or you can also reach out directly to
any member of the Committee, all of whom are in the MacArthur school
directory.
If you have a
question not addressed in these FAQs, please ASK!
