08-13-2023 Back to School - Flipbook - Page 12
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A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Sunday, August 13, 2023
School
Uniforms
–The Universal
Equalizer?
By Lisa Baldino, Contributing Writer
I
f your child’s school requires student
studen
uniforms, you may see this purchase as
an extra expense, a creativity spoiler or a
tch. Th
unifor
social ccrutch.
Thee debate over uniform
flares up as the new
ne
requirements inevitably flares
school year approaches. While parents,
administrators and students all have their
opinions, the fact that Americans spend
nearly $1 billion per year on uniforms
begs a discussion of the logic behind the
investment. Add this to your equation:
Expansion: The majority of private
schools require uniforms. Only 20% of
public schools required uniforms in the
2017-2018 school year, the latest data
available, according to the U.S. Department
of Education, National Center for Education
Educatio
Statistics. (2020). Twenty-three percent of
those schools were primary schools and 18%
were middle schools. Only 10% of public
high schools require uniforms. The public
schools with uniform requirements were in
cities as opposed to suburban and rural areas.
A look at the demographic data for uniformwearing schools found that the students from
schools where uniforms were required came
from lower income areas and underutilized
communities.
Equalizer: “Uniforms are important,” says
Heather Cucuzzella, principal at Immaculate
Conception School in Towson. “I am a huge
proponent of uniforms. The kids can see that
they really belong in this school. It levels the
playing field. Ultimately it makes the narrative
about the student, not the clothes.”
According to Lindsay Sisson, director
of enrollment management at Roland Park
Country School, uniforms can be the great
equalizer. “They eliminate opportunities
for students to feel compelled to showcase
their own lifestyles, wearing something that
supports that,” she says. “Uniforms make them
part of the school community and let them
get back to what they should be doing: their
schoolwork.”
One of the major uniform companies
echoed the equalizer comment. Sean Flynn,
CEO of Flynn O’Hara Uniform company says,
“In the competition in schools, dress is a big
factor.Kidswanttoexpressthemselvesandtheir
indivi
al y.
individuality.
Dress codes are constantly
trying to manipulate uniform models.
Uniforms keep the focus on education, not on
other activities.”
Dissenters of uniform requirements
maintain that the great equalizer puts students
at risk of potential attacks from students who
feel isolated or like they don’t fit in. Because
everyone looks the same, it is difficult to pick
out a possible student risk. In addition, it stunts
creativity and gives the student no room to
express his or her individuality.
The rebuttal: Because students feel like they
fit in when they wear uniforms, the likelihood
of student isolation, a contributing factor in
student attacks, is lowered.
Expense: While uniforms may be an
expense, they are a cost savings in the long
run. Rather than purchase three trendy
outfits for students to wear to school, parents
can purchase three uniforms and have them
last longer and look good for the school
day. Flynn says 98% of his business is
direct to parents, not through the school.
The company also has an online retail space
and 34 retail stores up and down the east
coast. The Flynn O’Hara customer service
representatives help customers to use the
online site for ordering, but they will do
whatever is most convenient for the parent.
Flynn comments, “Kids are constantly
changing. We provide a sizing chart on the
website, called TruFit. So, when you need to
size up, it’s easily done. Parents can order the
pants, skirts, shirts and jackets that correspond
to their school’s uniform.
Students can also choose from a variety of
shoe styles that are acceptable to the schools,
including basic saddle shoes with sneaker
bottom, loafers, lace-up oxfords, tan bucks,
and sneakers.
Flynn, as well as other proponents for
uniforms, say that the expense depends on
your selection of uniform pieces, which
should mirror your family’s lifestyle. If,
for example, both parents work outside
the home, time is precious, so a few extra
pieces may be needed to avoid the need
for frequent
equent laundering. Or, if your child
chil
is nearing a growth spurt, you may plan
to buy a minimal amount in the fall, then
upsize with additional pieces in the
spring when the child grows.
“Buying several sets of uniform pieces
may be out of some family budgets,”
Flynn says. “Most schools will implement
implemen
a uniform exchange plan, with deeply
discounted uniforms. In addition, Flyn
Flynn
says, “We build our uniforms to last – peopl
people
can pass them down to the next generation.”
Cucuzzella and Sisson both confi
rme
confirmed
that their schools hold uniform exchange
events to help families who need additional
uniform pieces.
Education: Children learn responsibility
when they wear uniforms. The
The school’s
uniform policy designates which options can
be worn and the restrictions on each piece. For
example, at Immaculate Conception, skirts ca
can
be no more than 2 inches above the knee; the
th
same policy applies to shorts for both girls and
boys, says Cucuzzella. Boys’ long pants must
cover their socks. All uniform pieces must be
clean, fit properly and be in good condition.
Cucuzzella encourages parents to talk
about the shared responsibilities of uniform
compliance. “Be positive about the uniform.
It’s never too early. The uniform indicates that
what the student says matters, because people
are not looking at what they are wearing.”
Escape: Stunting students’ creativity and
individuality is cited as another reason to
oppose uniforms. Administrators say there
is enough flexibility in the uniform policies
to address this. “Everybody wears the same
thing. There are a variety of options to
accommodate student individuality. They have
monogrammed sweatshirts, ¼ zips, and gym
uniform options,” says Cucuzzella. She also
notes that the school offers monthly options
when students are allowed to wear spirit wear,
a class T-shirt or school sports gear instead of
their uniforms.
Empowering: Uniforms enable kids to
come to school and prioritize. Because they
spend less time commenting on their peers’
appearance and less time figuring out their
own wardrobes, they are able to focus more
on their studies. “Uniforms are also wonderful
from a planning standpoint for parents,” says
Sisson. “They are a time-saver in the morning
and evenings because they know what they’re
going to wear. It leaves more time for other
things, like family time.”
Above top left, middle left, bottom left and top right: Uniforms are important at Immaculate Conception School. Middle right and bottom right: Roland Park Country School says that uniforms put the emphasis on schoolwork.