Pros

PROs:

Less Hassle/Easy Shopping

·      Makes shopping for Back-to-School clothes easier.

·      Relieves the headache of daily dressing arguments, and eliminates the monotony of wearing the same sweatshirt/sweatpants for days on end.

·      Cost not prohibitive since Sears and Target sell the basics, and there would be a uniform closet at MacArthur to pass along outgrown clothes, that could be distributed for free or at a reduced cost.

·      Could be easier to get kids out and to school in the a.m.

·      Eliminates daily battles regarding what’s appropriate or not for school.

·      Options will be available so parents should be able to find things their children will wear (i.e. soft clothing, all cotton, no tags, wear any socks, footwear can vary with safety guidelines (closed toe, non-marking sole, appropriate for P.E. and playground, etc.).

·      Ease of getting dressed each morning.

·      Decreases dress code violations.

·      No need to search for and decide on an outfit each day.

·      May be more cost effective than traditional wear.

Levels the Playing Field

·      Uniforms take the focus off “who has what” and put the emphasis on the boy or girl.  Less packaging, more substance!

·      Prevents students from putting their fashion tastes before their learning requirements.  When they don’t have to spend time wondering what to wear and how to make a fashion statement, they can devote more time to getting an education.

·      Wearing the same type of dress reduces social snobbery and peer pressure in educational institutions.  It is also supposed to reduce incidents of bullying and theft.

·      No visible distinction from one kid to the next when everyone is wearing the same thing.

·      Removes socioeconomic markers.

·      An equalizer.

·      Levels playing field between “haves and have nots.”

Sharper Focus

·      Keeps focus on school, not on fashion!

·      Helps students focus on ideas to distinguish themselves, not on the superficial. 

·      Encourages studious nature of learning at a school.

·      Takes away clothing distractions from classroom.

·      Reduces distraction in school.

·      One less sensory distraction within classroom environment.

·      Helps change focus to pride in work achievement.

·      Creates a new avenue for self-expression by placing attention on the purpose of school, academics.

School Environmental Impact

·      Tends to encourage respect, for self and others.

·      Children can still show their "individuality" with accessories, shoes and socks.  

·      Hopefully will build momentum to segue to the middle school and high school levels, where uniforms are really needed.

·      Makes it easier for the school authorities to recognize students belonging to their school.

·      Saves the school administrators from having to police what the students wear. 

·      Can instill a sense of discipline.

·      Increases sense of community among students.

·      Uniformity.

·      Still allows for creativity with use of accessories and adoption of “free dress” days.

·      Builds camaraderie.

·      Provides more appropriate attire for developing bodies of older students.

·      Gives a sense of order throughout school.

·      Means being part of something bigger than yourself.

·      Develops the sense of the internal self instead of the external.

·      Helps children understand the value of their abilities instead of things.