26May/092
Uniforms in Granite City Schools
Tweet ThisWell, well, well. I remember one of the high points of graduating from Holy Family back in the day being that we could finally hang up our slacks and collared shirts, and could trade them in for t-shirts and shorts to wear to school.
Not so for this year's graduating 8th graders who are headed to Granite High!
At tonight's school board meeting, the Granite City school board approved (unanimously) a measure requiring uniforms ("slacks, skirts and collared shirts") starting next school year in Granite City schools.
Personally, I think this is great.
Now... before you pull out the tar & feathers, light up the torches, and come to do me bodily harm, let me explain.
We're not talking blue blazers and red ties here. We're talking collared shirts and slacks.
I don't like the idea of the government regulating much of what we do, what we wear, etc., etc.
But our schools are a different story. As a community, we are funding our schools and expecting them to accomplish certain objectives on our behalf. Most broadly stated, the goal is to educate our youth and prepare them to succeed in their lives in our society.
Part of that preparation for success is helping them understand successful attitudes and behaviors. There's a lot that's already been written about good dress, grooming, and success. You can do a Google search for that and find plenty, so I won't belabor the point here.
But the most important point for me in all of this is reflecting back on how my dress has changed through my life, and how the situations where I'm able to "succeed" the most require me to step up the plate and dress the part.
I think it's good that we're instilling that in our kids.
I'm led to recall what Superintendent Harry Briggs mentioned in last week's article about our schools in the St. Louis Beacon "Uneasy Street: Granite City" series article "Granite City schools try to prepare students for a life beyond the steel mills." The truth of the matter is: our city can't expect our graduates to be able to walk down Madison Avenue and get a good job at the steel mill for another generation.
We have to raise the bar, help our kids strive for a higher standard, and teach them how to get there. And I mean EVERY kid - not just the ones who are segmented into "Honors / College Bound" as they move through junior high.
We owe it to our kids to expect more out of them, and I'm glad we're taking this step.
PS: Some are complaining about the cost of uniforms. But I'd be willing to bet that the simple directive of "collared shirt and slacks (or skirt)" frees you up to buy a lot less expensive of a wardrobe than the standard designer denim and brand-name t-shirts.
PSS: I know this post could get some good responses - particularly from my younger (read: still in school or just out of school) friends here in town. I'd love to hear your feedback - and have you test out the new commenting feature on the site with which you comment via Facebook.
No related posts.
Tweet This
Print This Post
Enjoy this article?
Welcome!
This is the online home of Michael Halbrook, Suzanne Halbrook, and their growing family. We're a family of five living out our Catholic faith and vocation in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
Subscribe via RSS
Halbrook.net on Facebook
Michael on Facebook
Suzanne on Facebook
Michael's Tweets
Facebook Community
Already a member?Login
Powered by Sociable!
Twitter @Halbrook
- finished The Musical Shape of the Liturgy by William Peter Mahrt and gave it 5 stars http://t.co/pXmMTXlh #Kindle
- finished The Musical Shape of the Liturgy by William Peter Mahrt http://t.co/pXmMTXlh #Kindle
- Congrats, Wally! RT @wally3298 Katherine Elizabeth. We call her Katie. #babyhere http://t.co/JSD6J1jc
- Wow! I may not have come back! RT @benjamingaines @MicheleJKiss I was here: http://t.co/FhkHLOkv
- @insightr Thanks!
Categories
- Analytics
- Blog of the Week
- Book Review
- Church & Faith
- Communication
- Culture & Current Events
- Data
- Gardening
- Granite City
- Journal
- Liturgy
- Marriage & Family
- Movie Review
- Other stuff
- Quotables
- Toy Review
- Uncategorized
Recent Comments
- Toward a Financial Pentecost, not Babel – holyspirithealingblogs on Toward a Financial Pentecost, not Babel
- Daniel on Watch Your Kids!
- Michael on Reflections on a Parting
- Kathy Smith on Reflections on a Parting
- The Schitzophrenic Choir Director | Halbrook.net on Reflections on a Parting
Get Halbrook.net Email Updates
Archives
- November 2011
- October 2011
- August 2011
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
July 11th, 2009 - 08:02
Overnight, someone posted the full text of an article from the Belleville News-Democrat here as a comment.
I had seen the article last night, but chosen not to post it. Now, I have posted it (a link to it, rather than the full text) in a new entry.
I thought I had posted rules when I first launched this blog, but looking back to try to find the one against posting copyrighted work, I can’t find the rules. As a result, rules for this space will be coming soon.
July 21st, 2009 - 01:23
This issue was discussed and voted on by parents last year. They voted NO! Knowing that, the school board voted in private this year, with no open discussion. For some, the new dress code might save them some money. But for my family and many others, I’m sure, that is not the case. I have 3 kids in granite city schools. I have several bags and storage bins full of kids clothes that were given to me by family and friends. I rarely buy new clothes for my 3. And when I do, I bargain, sale and end of season shop. Now I have to go buy a years worth of clothes for 3 children, I don’t qualify for assistance> We buy school supplies every year. We pay $50 book fees per child every year. We pay taxes every year. Yet if I don’t send my kids to school in the uniform, they can be expelled! From a school that I pay taxes for! Volunteer for. Even if the dress code cuts down on money spent on clothes, parents are still gonna need regular, everyday clothes. Not going to be weraing your school uniform to the park. And the prices of these uniforms, is not budget friendly! HOW BOUT THE TEACHERS AND PRINCIPLES ENFORCE THE NORMA; DRESS CODE????There would be no need for uniforms. HOW BOUT PARENTS MONITOR WHAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE WEARING. OR TRY NOT BUYING INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHES TO BEGIN WITH??????