HENRYETTA

The board got this issue right the first time. I think that the uniforms would have made our students look classy, as well as equal. I work with these students every day, and I can tell you that academics are the furthest thing from their mind. Our students need to be led in a new direction, and uniforms could have been the first step. We seriously need to make some changes at Henryetta. I hope we can revisit this issue at a later time and parents and students will be more open-minded.

What about the people that have to shop clearance racks and garage sales to cloth their kids. Not everyone can afford the school uniforms. I wore then in school and it solved nothing. We had no identity, no sense of expression. We all looked the same. It stopped no bullying cause we could tell who had money by the shoes they wore and how clean they were. If kids come to school dirty now and unkept they will still be dirty and unkept just in a uniform. They need to focus in academics like reading. When 4th graders can't read a uniform isn't going to fix that.

uniforms make all children equal- no difference in clothes because of economic barriers to some children being able to purchase the expensive trendy clothes, Uniforms help to make all children feel like they are on equal footing.. Less hassle getting kids ready for school and less financial cost to parents trying to help their child have clothes on the same level of everyone elsa.

I believe uniforms are meant for private schools and schools with gang problems,
Neither of which apply to Henryetta. I do believe kids need to follow dress codes and
dress appropriately but I don't think uniforms are going to solve the issues with our school
system. Bad behavior and bullying isn't a result of what clothing a kid wears, it's a result of parenting
or lack thereof and or the influence of peers. A person who wishes to be cruel to another person will always find a reason to be cruel regardless of their clothing or social status. Also not only will parents
as well as school staff have to purchase their everyday clothing that's worn outside of school, they're also going to have to purchase uniforms. And if they can't afford several sets of uniform attire then they will be having to wash them over and over so as to have something clean to wear. What about the families who have to use a laundry mat and can't afford that many trips to launder their uniforms. Those students will be wearing dirty uniforms and that just gives the bullies more ammo to ridicule them. I could go on and on, but will refrain. Think this much effort should be put into making sure our children are doin their work, turning it in and helping them if its not done correctly.

Of course bullying will still exist with uniforms - kids will still be chunky, pale, poor, or otherwise "uncool", but why not take away what we can? Uniforms are not necessary for my child, or probably the children of any of the people who even care about the issue - they are for the kids who don't have good home and support systems. What about the kids who wear the same outfit 3 or 4 times a week? Why not give them a break?
I'm pro uniforms ALL THE WAY! Change is natural, normal, and necessary. Our kids are heading down hill - no one will stop them if we don't. It wont solve every issue, but it is a starting point.

Just as there are name brand clothes there are name brand uniforms, and yes the kids know thew difference. I dint think the bullying comes from clothes it comes from lack of parenting at home. People need to stop blamong everyone else for the problems and grab thier kids and keep them in line. If a report of bullying is turned into the pricipal...they need to do something instead of waiting. Students are insecure because they have no place to turn. The uniforms are not going to change that. IT will be hassel free but not any cheaper than regular clothes if any, now not only will some of the more unforntunate families have to buy clothes for school, but also clothes for outside of school. Until Staff lets the kids know they are in charge and not ine person is better than the other and bullying will not be tolerated nothing will change. Hers is a thought bring back the paddle!!!!! Get strict on these kids, the parents aren't they are to worried about trying to be a kid there own self and trying to be afriend to the kids, If I didnt make good grades it wasnt becasue I was focused on my shoes or someone elses shoes, ITs becasue I didnt do my WORK! I didnt pick at anyone because if I did ya got a swat! My kids have grown into productive adults who got there butts busted and didnt wear uniforms, did wear name brand clothes and didtn bully anyone who didnt and if they didnt have good grades they had a week to get the grades up. Uniforms are not going to change anything. and as for Okmulgee not all students wear the uniforms. I myself only have 1 child left in school, doesnt matter to me uniforms or not everything starts at home.

Here are a couple of things to think about.
When you take away the distractions of trendy clothes and shoes, students will feel less insecure about the way they dress and have more time to focus on their studies. Students who wear uniforms have an equal opportunity to succeed because they won’t be competing over clothing and socioeconomic status is less apparent.
Once students are stripped of their superficial items, they are on an even playing field and often have an increased sense of school pride and spirit. Students who wear uniforms often take more responsibility in maintaining a positive school environment and reputation.

As a high school teacher we send students to the office almost everyday. They then miss school to go home to change. I have explained to my students that a lot of professional people wear uniforms from Doctors down to walmart. I am so tired of telling students that they can't wear that to school. It would make it so much easier and girls would at least have shirts that cover them up!! I hope we have uniforms and it would just make it so much easier to concentrate on teaching than having to watch for a dress code violation.

No, uniforms are not a need at this time; why not more passion towards academic excellence? It comes from the top down, which, sadly is a big problem in education. Begin to show your concern for each individual child and their success, and maybe you'll find that a lot more falls into place behind that.

I'm all for it. Less fussing about about to wear, it is an equalizer in fashion and they look nice. We had a coach one time that enforced blazers and same color slacks for traveling to sports, it gave us a pride that I haven't forgotten. Working in Okmulgee I see kids in their uniforms and not only do they look nice, it also identifies them as a student. There were alot of "I'm against the Uniforms" when they first began the talk in Okmulgee, but I don't hear anything negative now, in fact I think most have learned to appreciate them. That's my 2 cents for what its' worth.

As a parent and classroom teacher, I have had experience from both perspectives with school uniforms. From a parents view, it was more economical, hassel free in the morning and supported education importance. From an educators view, it was less segregating, less distracting and supported school pride and education importance.

Yes, for school uniforms. They must have redeeming results because so many public schools are going that route. I've never heard anything negative about uniforms anywhere else but I've sure heard negative comments about the manner of dress here. Do we still have a dress code? If so, apparently it's not being enforced. And yes, it's hard to enforce it.....I saw lots of that when I was there - but it can be done, with effort. Bottom line, why vote anything in if you're going to back off it.