Perry Parents Against Uniforms

11:16 pm PDT, May 16, Amy Mcguire, Indiana
This is about the racizm and bullying at perry meridian middle. Something really needs to be done about this as soon as possible before it gets out of control. My nephew is having trouble with this and something will be done by us and our lawyers since the safety of our kids attending this school can not be guaranteed. We shouldn't have to worry about our kids safety when there at school and we do have to so there is a big problem that will be dealt with soon.

5:56 pm PDT, Apr 22, Amy Langdon, Indiana
Life isnt about finding yourself its about creating yourself and if they take away the right to pick their own clothing to wear then your taking away apart of that child it's like stealing there imagination and showing them that you cant just be yourself you nee to dress and act like everyone else

7:00 pm PDT, Apr 15, Jamie Lee, California

9:18 pm PDT, Apr 14, Name not displayed, Indiana
OPPOSED -- Glenns Valley, Perry 6th Grade Academy and Perry High School. First having children attend elementary school in khakis and button downs is ridicules. Remember being a kid, playing on the play ground, skinning your knees getting the dirt so far in to your jeans that it left stains? Remember art class? Spilling anything and everything on your clothes? But remember, it really didn’t matter because the clothes you wore to school were not “dress clothes”, they were “play clothes”. Most families have “play clothes” and not “dress clothes”, so I can’t understand any reasoning that the change would be cheaper on the families. Why put the pressure on the young kids to look like adults? Don’t they have enough stress already – and kids that age shouldn’t have stress at all. I don’t know about everyone else – but when I was in elementary school, I was totally stress free – because I was a kid. Let’s let the kids be kids and the parents and Board members need to remember when they were kids – they never had to run home and change out of their school clothes to change into play clothes (unless they went to private school). That’s two outfits that will need to be washed for one day – costing the families more on water, electricity, and laundry soap – again, in a time where money is precious. Below are my reasons for opposition: 1. It will cost the parents more money to purchase those types of clothes – everyone has “play clothes” for kids, not everyone has dress clothes. (With today’s economy – who can afford to buy more clothes?) 2. Kids are kids – let them be kids. They don’t need to dress like they are “going to work” (they're not getting paid). They are kids. 3. They get messy in art class and stain their clothes – they play at recess and get grass stains - getting stains out of jeans is much easier than getting stains out of Khakis, plus they are sturdier than khakis. 4. Prove to me that dressing in khaki’s and a polo make the kids smarter – i.e., increased scores on Benchmark and ISTEP – the township can’t. There is no hard data on this. 5. What about the kids (like my son) who cannot button and snap or zipper – do you think they have pull-up khakis? I don’t think so. 6. What about the kids that can't tuck in their shirt (either because they haven't learned, or they physically can't)? Is someone at the school going to tuck them in? Are they going to get in trouble? Are they going to be yelled at? Are they going to have to stand on a line? Are they going to be sent to the principals office? Am I going to get a phone call at work, asking me to come and either get my child or come and tuck them in? I know that I don't want anyone tucking my kids shirt in! I will be LIVD if my child comes home and tells me that since he couldn't tuck his shirt in, someone else had to do it for him. HERE'S A THOUGHT: Since the Board was willing to change the dress code without the parents/taxpayers literally voting on the issue; WOULD THE BOARD BE WILLING TO FOREGO THE TEXTBOOK RENTAL FEE SO THAT PARENTS CAN AFFORD A NEW SCHOOL WARDROBE FOR THEIR KIDS? I know that would save me over $500.00! Proud Parent of Three Great Perry Kids!

4:20 pm PDT, Apr 14, Name not displayed, Indiana
Glenns Valley School It is suppose to be cheaper. Please tell me how. I still have to go out and buy other clothing for wear other than school. So the way i look at it, I have to go purchase extra school clothes that my child will only wear to school. How can this be cheaper, when I normally wouldn't buy these clothes. Now, I don't know if any of you people on the school board keep up with the news, but from my understanding our water bills are going up. By wearing your school uniform, I will have more laundry, and the cost of electricity running my dryer. Also, when my child falls down on the playground, who is going to pay for the pants he rips. Jeans are more durable. Another note you talk about the sagging jeans, any parent should go to the middle school and watch the kids that come out with their khaki pants sagging, so uniforms does not cure this problem! Do you pay for my childs clothing? When you pay for it, I will have no problem wearing it. CHEAPER NO WAY!!!!!!! VOTE NO FOR UNIFORMS

3:39 pm PDT, Apr 14, Peggy LaHue, Indiana

11:26 am PDT, Apr 14, D. Peed, Indiana

8:25 am PDT, Apr 14, Dawn Luna, Indiana
douglas Macarther

7:15 am PDT, Apr 14, Terry Parks, Indiana
Henry Burkhart Elementary We were never asked about this. When we first learned about the proposal for the dress code back in late February and read how so many parents were in favor of it, we immediately sent a letter to Steve Maple, the President of the board and to John Happersberger, the Principal of Burkhart to let them know we were totally opposed to the dress code. We have yet to hear back from either them. When we read about all the great things that the newsletter said would happen if the district would go to a dress code, less cost buying clothes, less time spent arguing with your elementary age child about what to wear,we knew the fix was in. What crazy parent said it would be cheaper to buy more clothes? And another thing, why do elementary schools need a dress code but not the high schools? If there is any place where people are criticized for their wardrobe choices, it is in high school. And high school children can be cruel.

1:26 am PDT, Apr 14, Jon Corlett, Florida

10:40 am PDT, Apr 13, Niki Alerding, Indiana

9:12 pm PDT, Apr 10, Name not displayed, Indiana
My kids have been through the "uniform" policy at JGE, where it was invented. I wasn't particularly fond of it, but supported it. It then followed us to middle school. I have enough khaki's in my closet to open my own second hand store! If the issue is having the kids look better then why is there an issue on the color of khaki or an applique on the chest of a shirt. Girls polo shirts aren't made to be tucked in. My daughter, who is tall, stretches her shirt so it can be tucked in. I buy her a L when she typically wears a S in shirts so she can get more length. If it becomes untucked during the day and a teacher spots it...she would be written up. So I guess having your shirt come untucked is equal to any infraction that causes a student to be written up. Way too much focus on clothes! Plus, I've seen so many kids that are thick in the middle and having their shirt stretched so tightly then tucked in is not attractive. We wouldn't make our boys dress like girls, so why do we accept our girls dressing more like boys? If the dresscode that we have now is not being enforced, then why make an even stricker dresscode? Enforce the one we have & don't punish the kids that adhere to it. Let's focus on something of real importance!

2:49 pm PDT, Apr 2, Ragan Southwood, Indiana
abraham lincoln

7:00 am PDT, Mar 30, Becky Roach, Indiana
I think that uniforms would cost us 2 times the money. We would have to buy uniforms and regular clothes.Not only that we would have two times the clothes to wash. So there goes up the bills to run the washer and dryer. I have a girl and I know she will not want to wear uniform clothes after school time. And what if they take a large growth spurt in the middle of the year and you can not find uniforms. What would happen then!

8:20 pm PDT, Mar 28, Name not displayed, Indiana
I believe kids should be able to wear clothing that is proper for school and it should NOT have to include a uniform. Some parents can barely afford clothes for there kids as is and making them where what some "adult" thinks is proper may just put some parents in a bigger bind on money. Economey sucks enough as is and to make people take more cash that they DONT have to buy something that should not be needed. Yes some can go and buy there kids anything no problem but you have others who work there ass off to give there kids everything they need but yet cant get help when they need it. SO why put what i would say probably half of the parents in a bind??? Let these children express themselves. One thing to remember is kids may tease each other about what one another has on but thats when the parents should step in and let the kids know what really matters. To many parents are slacking on there duties of teaching there own kids and I think that if they all stepped up we wouldnt have such a big problem as we do today.

1:58 pm PDT, Mar 28, Name not displayed, Indiana

11:30 am PDT, Mar 28, Name not displayed, Indiana
I really don't care if this passes or not. I am just signing this for my sister and her daughter. Mary Bryan is a great school and I want my niece to go there. If the uniform passes, my daughter will still go there. I'm not going to pull her out and put her somewhere else that dosen't have uniform. I really don't care which way it ends up.

9:58 am PDT, Mar 28, Heather Bustle, Indiana
I can't afford to buy my daughter 2 sets of clothes! Uniform clothing and out of school clothing. I am barely making ends meet as it is.

8:37 am PDT, Mar 25, Name not displayed, Indiana
Burkhart. The only issue I have with this dress code is that they are going about it for ALL the wrong reasons. It will NOT make my child smarter. It will NOT cause less arguing with me in the morning about what to wear because my children pick out what THEY are COMFORTABLE wearing for the day whether it be recess, gym or ISTEP. It is so they are relaxed and comfortable and I (THE PARENT) make them change if it is not approriate. That's what a parent does. Also with bullying...most schools don't even follow through with the "no bullying law" so don't go there! So often we are told by teachers and staff that "each child is different", "each child is so unique", "each child learns different" AND we are told "THAT'S WHO THEY ARE, THAT'S OKAY". Yet the teachers, staff and township want to turn them into all the SAME little robots. I honestly believe this is a control issue and that schools should look at their own staffs appearance rather than worrying about a child's. SET THE EXAMPLE! Priorities have rarely been an important issue with the schools. (THIS BEING ONE OF THEM) What about fixing the heating and air systems in the schools to make our children more comfortable. Offering a foreign lanuage to each child because that can only better them. For children who struggle, offer more assistance to get them on track since teachers are quoted saying "I don't have time." It might improve test scores? I am not against the children who don't speak english but what about teaching the students who don't have english as a primary language...english. That should be a priority in the schools as we are seeing more of these students. They can not possibly learn with a language barrier. (Now that is a distraction). Or even a better one, why don't the schools make parents feel more appreciated and welcome and allow them to help a struggling student,one on one, or with a small group, a time or two a week. IT'S FREE!!!!!

4:15 pm PDT, Mar 22, Robert Tonte, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur

6:52 am PDT, Mar 22, Name not displayed, Indiana
I am completely against uniforms in our public schools. I have one daughter starting PMHS next year and one daughter at Winchester Village. School faculty have to deal with dress codes regardless of whether or not there are uniforms involved. The same children they have problems with now will be the same ones they will have problems with a uniform policy. Young adults should already know how to dress BEFORE they reach a college level. Let's not give them another reason to "go wild" their first year in college. Uniforms are expensive, unflattering (neither of my girls can pull off tucking in their shirts and flatter their figures!), and no solid research has been presented that proves higher academic grades because of a uniformed dress code!

4:34 pm PDT, Mar 20, Name not displayed, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur

10:46 am PDT, Mar 20, Name not displayed, Indiana
I have two children going to the 6th grade academy next year, one in high school and our oldest graduated in 2004. I am against uniforms for any grade level. As long as the parents and children are following the dress code, that should be enough. Our oldest was never made to wear uniforms and his grades and performance in school were outstanding.

6:52 pm PDT, Mar 19, Kathy Taylor, Indiana
I believe the current dress code is fine.It just needs to be enforced.I believe there is much bigger things in education to worry about.Who will help the families who cannot afford uniforms?

4:50 pm PDT, Mar 19, Laura Wright, Indiana
I've already bought most of my son's clothes for the fall and I don't want to have to spend more money buying uniforms that are unnecessary at the grade school level.

3:19 pm PDT, Mar 19, Name not displayed, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur

12:49 pm PDT, Mar 19, Shannon Reedy, Indiana
Douglas MacAruthur and Perry Meridian H.S. Let the kids be kids.

6:13 am PDT, Mar 19, Anne Downing, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur

5:30 pm PDT, Mar 18, Cheryl Wiskirchen, Indiana
I do not support a dress code (uniform)in elementary school. DMES

5:24 pm PDT, Mar 18, Name not displayed, Indiana
Let the children have their freedom while they are young. They will have plenty of time to have to follow a dress code in the work force. They need to be able to show their style and individuality. As my daughter says "I don't want to look like everyone else". I cannot believe that what they wear to school will make a student have better grades, better behavior, or a better attitude toward school. If anything, it makes the kids mad because they already have enough rules to follow at school without worrying if there shirt is tucked in, etc. It will also be an added expense to parents because children will have to have regular clothes to be worn outside of school. Perry Township has many more important issues it needs to focus on. Leave the parenting issues with the parent(s). I do not think there should be a dress code for any school regardless of elementary, middle or high school. Parent of 3rd Grade Daughter Douglas MacArthur Elem.

5:15 pm PDT, Mar 18, Douglas MacArthur, Indiana
Please let our children be children. I have so many mixed emotions on this, but I do hope the school board considers what is good for young CHILDREN not appearances. I agree that PARENTS need to take responsibility for dressing their child appropriately. Society will force them to accept a uniform dress code eventually, so please let them enjoy their fleeting youth.

11:55 am PDT, Mar 18, Erin Kinney, Indiana

10:38 am PDT, Mar 18, Name not displayed, Indiana
Douglas McArthur

8:18 am PDT, Mar 18, Beth Hutson, Indiana
I am opposed to the dress code for Burkhart elementary. I do however support dress code for the middle and senior high schools. I believe the children should have some differences at the elementary level.

6:58 am PDT, Mar 18, Name not displayed, Indiana
My child has not started school yet, but when he does, I do not feel that it is necessary for 5-10 year olds to be in uniform. I believe that the problem starts in Middle School and continues on through High School. I also believe that there are many issues in Perry Township schools that are more "urgent" than dress code. For instance, why a legal citizen can be denied a free lunch/book rental because a SINGLE PARENT makes too much money, but someone who is NOT here legally can get the Government Assistance. Why don't we start there and work our way up. I want to be heard. I will move if things in Perry Township don't change. At least IPS is smart enough to address the problem at the high school level...I would rather my child attend a school where the Teachers/Principals are smart enough to enforce a new rule at the proper time.

6:45 am PDT, Mar 18, Kristy Nash, Indiana
I have a son who is in 2nd Grade at Abraham Lincoln and a Daughter who attends the 6th Grade Academy. At first, I thought my daughter having uniform "dress code" would be cheaper and easier. Well, let me be the first of many to tell you that it is NOT cheaper. Instead of only buying one set of clothing (all appropriate for school) I now have to buy 2 sets of clothing for my daughter. As a single parent, this is very hard. If it is decided that All Elementary students must wear uniform, I will then have to buy FOUR sets of clothing. I CANNOT afford it. I understand that once the children get to Middle School, this issue needs to be addressed. This is when children start to develop. I also am a supporter of the dress code being enforced at the High School level, as this is where the REAL problem lies...not with our K-5 students. The Perry Township School Board and PTA need to realize WHERE the problem is before they go trying to fix it. If they do end up requiring Elementary students to wear uniform...It should be required for ALL GRADE LEVELS, K-12. PERIOD. Thank you.

6:21 am PDT, Mar 18, Jennifer Combs, Indiana
I prefer not to have school uniforms. If this is thrust upon us, it should include shorts at all grade levels since school starts ridiculously early in mid summer.

6:04 am PDT, Mar 18, Nanette Wenclewicz, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur - Although my daughter will be moving to the 6th Grade Academy next year, I have not yet seen evidence as to how a dress code/uniform will benefit the education of an elementary school age child and would not be in support of it for those remaining in elementary school. I agree with the idea of allowing children to be children and to have fun while they are young :)

5:33 am PDT, Mar 18, Name not displayed, Indiana
Southport Elementary

4:59 am PDT, Mar 18, Virginia Roach, Indiana
My child lives with grandparents part time and attends douglas macarthur. I feel that our children should have freedom of expression. Uniforms are a bad idea. All of us have a personality let it show.

4:53 am PDT, Mar 18, Angela Fall, Indiana
I think it is absolutely ridiculous that elementary school children would have to wear uniforms because when they are in elementary school, that is when they are expressing who they are. Most parents who have common sense are not going to let their child wear any clothing that is revealing or discriminating.

3:19 am PDT, Mar 18, Name not displayed, Indiana
Southport Elementary

6:39 pm PDT, Mar 17, Jeremy Ciampa, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur

4:39 pm PDT, Mar 17, Vicki O'Keefe, Indiana
I had emailed my thoughts to my principal and I never heard back from him to find out how the meeting went or if my issues were even brought up. But I do believe that should have been a survey of some sort sent out for the parents to give their input. But I am totally excited about this petition! You would think something like this would have been done especially so the Board wouldn't be putting themselves on the line and trying to speak for so many parents without even checking on how they actaully feel before making any determinations! I do agree with the licensed social worker who stated that kids should be kids and they should have a very relaxed and fun-loving atmosphere! Today, it seems we restrain our children so much that they rebel now more than ever. I can state that I know my child concentrates better when she is confortable and I know that I work much harder and am a more pleasant person and so is she when she is comfortable. I do believe that later in life, after puberty and when the children try to be provocative and inappropriate, then you need to curb their dress! I totally OPPOSE the dress code and feel that if this is done, it should be done all throughout the Kindergarten through 12th Grade and include the teachers of all schools.

2:37 pm PDT, Mar 17, Renee Brewer, Indiana
Just to mention a few points on the dress code. I work at the middle school, and the teachers spend so much time and energy telling the kids to "button up" and "tuck in" that it is more a distraction from education than if the children were to wear their regular clothes. Also, there are so many children who's self esteem is damaged by tucking in their shirt. Lets face it, it does not look flattering on a heavy child. So instead of causing more of a distraction AND a bigger hole in my pocket (because it IS more expensive to buy two sets of clothes)why not let sleeping dogs lie! I could add so many more points..but to be FAIR, I'll save them for the discussion that Im sure will be set up for a PTA meeting or another time when the parents (who will be funding the whole idea) will get to voice their opinion.

12:56 pm PDT, Mar 17, Name not displayed, Indiana
Perry Meridian Middle School

12:18 pm PDT, Mar 17, CHRISTINA SCOTT, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur

12:10 pm PDT, Mar 17, Name not displayed, Indiana
Southport Elementary

10:32 am PDT, Mar 17, Christine Turo-Shields, Indiana
Dear School Board, I am a parent of a 4th grader at DMES and a 6th grader at PMA. While I understand that there are practical and academic reasons cited for considering school uniforms at the elementary level, I am opposed to it. Professionally, as a licensed clinical social worker, I focus on what is developmentally appropriate. As a parent and a mental health professional, I believe that kids should be kids, and kids should be able to dress like kids. It makes for a very relaxed and fun-loving learning atmosphere. I am very supportive of the switch to a dress code in 6th grade, as there is more likelihood that clothing worn by students may be inappropriate and/or provocative, causing concern for distractions to learning. As an active parent involved at both schools, I have never seen any elementary student dressed in a way that I would consider as inappropriate. Additionally, I have never heard any of the elementary teachers or administration voice any concerns that students' clothing distracts from learning. If there is any need for concern, I would strongly suggest that the school board turns its attention to the high school level, where I believe there is much more concern for clothing that distracts from the learning environment.

9:02 am PDT, Mar 17, Steve Fites, Indiana
Douglas McArthur Elementary School

8:25 am PDT, Mar 17, Samuel Tuley, Indiana
Too many people already control the decisions we make in our lives and those we make for our children. Requiring uniforms takes away another area of control we have over our lives. I am totally against school uniforms. I should be allowed to dress my child as I see fit.

8:20 am PDT, Mar 17, Christina Tuley, Indiana
I am NOT in favor of school uniforms. The Perry Township schools, administration and board are faced with many issues that are more important than uniforms. We should be addressing these issues first and foremost. If uniforms are made mandatory I may as well send my child to our Catholic church school.

6:32 am PDT, Mar 17, Julie Ciampa, Indiana
I disagree with forcing kids at the elementary school level to wear uniforms. I believe it is the parent's responsibilty and right to decide what is or is not appropriate for school. My children attend Douglas MacArthur and I don't believe that their dress has had any impact on their education.

2:56 am PDT, Mar 17, Angelica Blevins, Kansas

7:05 pm PDT, Mar 16, Debbie Fites, Indiana
I have several reasons for not wanting the dress code. My main reason is that my daughter is hard to fit and mostly wears stretch pants. She is too big for regular size clothes and not really big enough for plus sizes. It would be hard and expensive for me to buy the uniform pants. Plus, I waited a long time to dress my girls cute. I know these may not be "important" reasons but still they are my reasons. I don't think little girls look feminine in the dress code either.

6:37 am PDT, Mar 16, Andy Birge, Indiana
Douglas Macarthur

4:52 am PDT, Mar 16, DeAnn Curtis, Indiana
It's just another way to strip individual choice, imo. It was also mentioned in Indystar that this "uniform" (and it IS a uniform, not a dress code) is being looked at District wide, including the HS's.

12:36 am PDT, Mar 16, Lynda Harding, United Kingdom

1:27 pm PDT, Mar 15, Name not displayed, New York

8:51 am PDT, Mar 15, Daniel Justice, Indiana
Didn't the Germans force uniforms?

4:40 am PDT, Mar 15, Cindy Garrison, New Jersey
Yes i agree i thought when i moved to a new town the high school wore uniforms was a good idea there more expensive then the cloths in a regular store they have there own store for the town and it cost to much money.I dont think thats fare.

6:32 pm PDT, Mar 14, Kathy Peterson, Indiana
Abraham Lincoln Elementary

5:31 pm PDT, Mar 14, Steve Dale, Australia
UNIFORMS ARE A WASTE OF PEOPLES MONEY AND DONT KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL,AN EDUCATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT THEY WEAR.

4:49 pm PDT, Mar 14, Bill Wieringa, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur

4:43 pm PDT, Mar 14, Christy Wieringa, Indiana
Douglas MacArthur