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Harford devising specifics of school uniform plan
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Harford County (Map, News) - Harford schools plan to devise specifics on a new school uniform policy within the next five months.
School board members asked a uniform committee Monday night to begin work that would lead to a recommendation from Superintendent Jacqueline Haas in June.
“Our overarching direction will be to finish up holding the focus groups and start turning attention to the details,” said school board President Tom Fidler. Now the committee must conduct studies at each school on what the uniform policy will look like, and what the uniforms will cost parents.
“A lot of people are still asking the same questions: If there is a policy, what will it look like? Will it be across the board or just in certain schools? What will the economic impact be?” Fidler said.
In December a systemwide survey of students and parents showed strong support among parents, teachers and administrators, and opposition among students.
Patricia Skebeck, director of elementary education and co-chair of the 25-member committee studying uniforms, said her committee was ready to move on to answering those questions.
The committee plans regional meetings and will look at different types of uniforms, Skebeck said.
“The survey gave us a feel for whether the community would be receptive to it, and parents seemed receptive ... I think we’ve explored pretty much all we can, and now it’s time to start moving forward.”
Parent advocate Cindy Mumby said the next step would be critical in deciding whether uniforms are required.
“The way this policy is explained will make a difference in whether it’s accepted by the community,” said Mumby, legislative chair of the Bel Air High School and Patterson Mill Parent-Teacher Associations. “If a thoughtful policy is put out, it could cut down on the amount of time administrators spend on policing dress codes.”
msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com
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7:35 PM MST on Thu., Feb. 14, 2008 re: "Harford devising specifics of school uniform plan"
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8:50 AM MST on Thu., Oct. 11, 2007
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7:30 PM MST on Thu., Jul. 5, 2007
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Karma said:
Great! Bring it on!!
48 agree | 33 disagree
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Wallace said:
How will uniforms present a financial hardship on a parent, when children usually are spending $100+ dollars on a pair of sneakers, and $50+ for a pair of cheap jeans??? It would seem that the uniforms would actually free up cash for the parent. Put them in uniforms and let them focus on education, not fashion or what they don't have. School should be a time when false classism and elitism is removed from education, and the students can focus on education. Kids are cruel enough, and separate fine without the added stresses of worrying about keeping up with the latest fashions to be included in the in groups. Put them in uniforms, and then the poor kids won't feel so bad, and the perpin kids can breath a sigh of relief over where they will get the money to pay for the next fad.
57 agree | 44 disagree
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Fallston reader says said:
Uniforms are a great idea, but not just for middle and high school. Have elementary kids wear them as well. Parents claim the suppress the child's ability to express themselves. School is for learning. Let the kids express themselves on their own time.
103 agree | 81 disagree
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