In Neptune Dress Policy May Be Put On Hold
By DON STINE
A controversial school uniform policy proposed for elementary pupils in Neptune may not be able to be implemented by the beginning of the school year in September because of a potential 90-day state waiting period before such an action can be taken.
Board of Education President Beverly J. Holland said last week that there may be a state requirement, which in turn would be a board requirement, that a mandatory 90-day notification be given to parents and pupils before such a dress code policy is put into place.
I do not think it is feasible to initiate the policy after the school year begins, Holland said after a board meeting on the subject.
Holland said board attorney James T. Hundley is currently looking into the matter.
More than 100 parents turned out for the school boards meeting at the Gables Elementary School to voice either their support or opposition to the mandatory uniform police, However, the issue was not on the boards agenda for official action.
Under the proposed dress code policy, khaki-colored pants, shorts, jumpers or skirts will be the only dress option with no baggy, corduroy, or cargo pants allowed.
Either short or long-sleeved polo shirts or golf shirts will be required and they must be red, white or black with no logos or insignias. Turtleneck sweaters may be worn underneath the shirts and cardigan sweaters are allowed but only in the regulated colors.
Socks, knee-highs, stockings or tights may be worn but only in red, white, black or neutral colors. All belts must be brown or black.
The policy would first be implemented in pre-school through the fifth grades for the coming school year.
An advisory committee comprised of about five parents, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Bertha Williams-Pullen, board member Jason A. Jones, and James M. Nulle, principal of the districts Early Childhood Center, made the dress code recommendation.
Whether for or against the code, most parents and some faculty agreed that the method of informing parents about the proposed dress code was inadequate.
Many parents said the only information they received was an unsigned May 3 advisory letter sent home with pupils.
Many parents said they were left in the dark about the new policy and referred to the unsigned letter as unprofessional, misguided, non-communicative, and abusive.
Dennis Thompson, principal of the Shark River Hills Elementary School who was also on the dress code advisory board, said principals in particular will be on the firing line for addressing and enforcing the dress code.
He said more public meetings at schools are needed and that input from the local PTOs and PTAs should also be sought.
We must move in this direction and involve them in the process, he said.
Thompson said there are many legitimate questions about the new dress code in the community and, of particular concern to him, is how the policy will be enforced.
I have significant reservations about noncompliance with the dress code, he said.
He asked what would be the appropriate consequences for pupils not following the dress code, which the board said in the May 3 letter will be strictly enforced.
We need to collaborate on what is appropriate, enforceable, and take the best interests of the students to heart, he said.
Holland said the board is listening to the comments from the parents and staff.
All comments, either for or against, dont fall on deaf ears. We take them seriously. This is not something the board decided to do overnightand we still have some serious work to do, she said.
Supporters of the dress code said it will remove many social stigmas and problems relating to dress in the schools and improve student grades and morale while cutting down on clothing associated with gangs or other peer groups.
It will prepare students for the real worldand level the playing field in the classroom, said Loretta Eichenour, PTO President at the Summerfield School.
Other parents said such dress codes cost money and will do little to improve grades or prevent gang violence.
I dont think it will enhance a students ability to perform better, said Steve Bailey, who has a child in the Shark River Hills School.
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July 3rd, 2008 at 10:37 pm
What in the H is wrong with striped tee shirts of diverse colors and patterns, message-logos which are constitutionally protected, or properly-fitted denim jeans??? nothing; these are all appropriate school clothes that have been worn in the public schools for 100 years. Your schools are NOT private boarding schools. Nor is a school a workplace; “office clothes” are nice but hardly mandatory for good behavior or grades. See also the research done by Dr. David Brunsma (two books, etc) which disproves the alleged advantages of mandatory school uniforms. Also see the massive info at http://www.aprod.org, the national parents (not kids) website that opposes mandatory school uniforms.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Let’s not forget that children are bullied, abused and murdered for what colors they wear, what shoes they wear, even for their Ipods. In the last ten years, girls in particular, are becoming more aware of their femininity at an earlier age. Young girls should not be allowed to wear ‘low-rise’ jeans, or short skirts. Young Boys don’t need to wear clothing that sets the trend that are meant for adults. Uniforms level the playing field, and keeps the distraction away from what they are wearing, so that they focus on learning. The cost is minimal for a uniform. What’s more expensive is buying clothing that have logos, labels, etc. You are paying for the brand, not the shirt. The benefits out way the cons in this case. There is a set outfit to put on each morning (no fighting with parents on what to wear), which cuts time in the morning. Everyone is on the same level. No race, or sexuality would be challenged. This is to help focus on what is important, a good education.