Fight brewing over uniforms for students
John Quinones joined me on the show this morning with details of his plan.From the Oralndo Sentinel...
Orange County school officials are gearing up to fight a state legislator's push to make student uniforms mandatory throughout the district.
Rep. John Quinones, R-Kissimmee, said he will ask other area lawmakers in January to support his attempt to revive an idea that failed to pass the Florida Legislature in 2005.
It would make uniforms mandatory for all children in Orange public schools, with a free-speech provision that would let children opt out with their parents' approval.
The idea is one of several proposals by House members aimed at increasing safety in the public-school system. Other bills, including another by Quinones to prohibit state parole offices near schools, could be filed as well.
Quinones, who represents parts of Orange and Osceola counties, said his attempt to pass the uniform measure is fueled by rising crime and gang activity in the area.
He said uniforms -- simple khakis and polo shirts -- would increase safety, cut down on gang activity and boost academic performance.
"We don't want gang members bringing in weapons in their baggy clothes," he said.
posted by Pat Campbell @ 5:06 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I survived twelve years of uniform requirements in catholic schools and I survived a further twenty years (and eight months and twenty-three days) wearing a Navy uniform. The uniform has a tendancy to bring people together emotionally and socially. It's a good thing for kids, because those are the years in which people are learning to get along with others. Wearing a uniform eliminates another distraction for those young skulls full of mush which are already so easily distracted.
I've put 5 kids through school, and they all had to wear uniforms. Guess what? They didn't die from it or suffer emotional damage!! I think if parents choose to let their kids "opt out" of wearing a school uniform, it should be only with a proven religious reason, because the parents of these kids who let them run around wearing the things we're objecting to are going to easily opt their kids out. When you get a job after you're out of school, you will likely have to wear some type of uniform...whether you're a waiter/waitress, mechanic or wallstreet exec...Wearing a uniform in school helps to prepare you for the real world. And who knows...maybe it will teach the girls not to dress like hookers and the boys not to dress like hoodlums (since it's obvious their parents aren't doing it!).
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