NO to POLOS

Is uniform policy making grade?

notopolos — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:25:44 +0000

This came out today. We would love to hear your thoughts after reading this.

url: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110103/ARTICLES/110109922?p=1&tc=pg

Educators, officials say it’s working; some parents, students still object to it

Erica Brough/Staff photographer

Buy photo

Students file out of their classes at Gainesville High School on Dec. 17, 2010.

By Jackie Alexander
Staff writer

Published: Monday, January 3, 2011 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 11:16 p.m.

( page 1 of 3 )

More than six months after the Alachua County School Board enacted a uniform dress code policy, administrators say it is working — shown in the hallways and in the classrooms.

Some parents and students are skeptical, citing unruly but well-dressed students and constant flouting of the stricter rules.

The School Board in June 2010 passed the dress code policy in a 3-2 vote. Current board chair Barbara Sharpe voted in favor of the code, while board member Eileen Roy, who voted against the code, counts it as a misguided effort to rein in student behavior.

“There’s learning instead of peer-driven fashion shows,” Sharpe said in a November interview.

Students and some parents protested the decision, calling it a suppression of individuality and a burden on already light pocketbooks.

More than 660 uniform dress code referrals have been issued since the start of the school year. The number of referrals spiked in November, with more than 198 students referred for breaking the uniform dress code.

Gainesville High School had the most uniform dress code referrals at 263. Eastside High had 163 referrals, according to school district data.

With more than 2,000 students, that number represents a small fraction, Gainesville High Principal Wiley Dixon said.

“It doesn’t matter what the dress code is and how easily interpreted it is, they are going to push the limits of it,” he said.

Dixon said the new policy leaves questions out of the equation.

“The big difference is this uniform policy is more concrete than the other one was,” he said. “Before, so many things were judgment calls, and I think there was too much wiggle room.”

The previous policy mandated common decency, including skirts and shorts that reached mid-thigh, pants that did not sag and clothing free of profanity and sexual images. The current policy mandates solid-colored polos with collars or school-sponsored T-shirts with solid-colored and unadorned pants, skirts or shorts.

School Board member Carol Oyenarte said an “expanded dress code” is the great equalizer in the classroom.

“Some kids come in with unlimited funds to buy their clothes,” she said. Now, “everyone is not checking out who’s wearing what brand.”

Polo shirts from Wal-Mart are similar but distinguishable from polos from stores such as Express, which cost $40 and bear a small lion, or Abercrombie and Fitch, which can cost as much as $60.

“Unless you’re studying a small thing on their chest, across the boards, when you walk in the schools, everyone is much more professional looking,” Oyenarte said.

That’s the problem, Fort Clarke Middle School student Alex Sellers said. “It doesn’t change their test scores or their personalities,” he said. “It just changes how they look.”

His mother, De Sellers, began giving away black “no uniforms” rubber wristbands akin to the yellow Livestrong bracelets. It started with a select group at Gainesville High, where Sellers’ older daughter attends school, but Sellers said the bands have been distributed to students in five different schools now.

“Pants are still hanging off their rear ends,” she said. “There doesn’t seem to be any justification for parents having to spend more money.”

Sellers said she tried to reach out to School Board members but was met with few responses.

“Barbara Sharpe even suggested that we were threatening her,” Sellers said. “We will — with our votes.”

Sellers has started a parents group dubbed PCARE — Parents Concerned About Responsible Education — to let the district know the teachers union isn’t the only stakeholder it has to contend with, she said.

Cherie Schneider, a private school teacher and mother of four children — three of whom attend public schools, said the new dress code works for her family. “We find it much easier to dress in the morning,” she wrote on GainesvilleMoms.com. “The clothes are not an issue to find, and it is much easier on me as a teacher.”

Not only has their appearance changed, Schneider said in a later telephone interview, so have their attitudes.

“You can tell — especially in some of the kids I knew last year — their behavior has changed,” she said. “They’ve got more pride in themselves.”

Roy said in a November 2010 interview that she hoped the new policy would be beneficial but that she had her doubts.

“I felt that the policy we had — if it was enforced — it was just as good as the new policy,” she said.

Alex Sellers said teachers at his school have resorted to “collar checks” during the cold weather snap. Students have been wearing contraband clothing under their coats, he said.

Other school districts are considering moving to uniform policies, including Pinellas County, one of the largest districts in Florida.

Pinellas School Board officials asked their superintendent in October to focus on tightening the current dress code.

Superintendent Julie Janssen initially proposed uniforms for elementary and middle school students, before the School Board directed her to make a more flexible policy, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

Alachua County’s uniform dress code is mild compared with Osceola County, which restricts colors to khaki, white and navy blue and mandates that belts be worn with pants with belt loops. Polk County has had a similar policy since 1999, which led to a lawsuit. Alachua County students may wear colors and jackets of their choosing.

Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Levy and Marion counties do not have uniform dress codes.

De Sellers said she hopes the new School Board will be more receptive to reversing the current policy, but most members — with the exception of Roy — have voiced support for the uniform policy.

Oyenarte said detractors will have to adjust.

“It’s here,” she said. “Accept it.”

Contact Jackie Alexander at jackie.alexander@gvillesun.com or 338-3166.

VOTE TODAY!

notopolos — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:58:27 +0000

Today in Alachua County, there will be an election to elect our School Board representatives. Here is a list of the candidates and their stand on the school uniform issue. By no means is this to sway your vote on any other issues that are important to you, but to the members of NotoPOLOS.com, this is THE fundamental issue. There are certainly many important issues dealing with our schools in Alachua County than the issue of school uniforms, but our belief in the US Constitution’s First Amendment is paramount to ANY issues facing our children today.

You are more than welcome to contact any candidate yourself on the uniform issue as well; in fact we encourage you to do so. Our belief in what’s right will help us overturn the ruling, and we’ll all be using our ONE vote to put our money where our VOTE is.

This page will update as we get public comments (via facebook) from the candidates or write permission to quote them on the site if we get the comments via email. Thank you

The School Board Candidates and partisan candidates with opponents within their own party are scheduled to be on the ballot during the August 24th Primary in 2010. They will only be on the November ballot if they are involved in a run-off.

District 1

Bonnie K. Burgess

Qualified
P.O. Box 111
Alachua, FL 32616
(386) 462-9171
Website: http://www.invisdesign.com/BBCampCS/Index.html

____________________________________________________________

April Griffin

Qualified
12310 SW 9th Ave.
Newberry, FL 32669
(352) 333-3113
Website : www.april4schools.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/April4Schools/342078590303?v=wall

Via facebook wrote:

April4Schools “Tonight is the School Board vote on School Uniforms. I honestly don’t know how it will turn out but I know one thing… It will be interesting!” June 4 at 1:22pm

Update 8/16/2010 pdf link on uniforms from April Griffin http://www.april4schools.com/uploads/3/2/3/8/3238827/uniform_policy.pdf

April4Schools “Thank you for your comments on school uniforms. My thoughts are too long to put in this space (I tried). Basically, I feel as parents we have given too much of our parenting responsibility over to others. It is my job to be the “bad guy” and if that means that I tell them to wear appropriate clothes to school and to …behave respectfully to their teachers. Old fashioned maybe, but a concept that is important.” May 3 at 8:18am

April4Schools “Most of you know that the school board is discussing county wide uniforms for next year. I want to know what you think. The public hearing is this coming Tuesday. I know what the administrators think, now I need to know teacher & parent thoughts.” April 27 at 4:52pm

____________________________________________________________

Felecia Moss

Qualified
16108 SW 79th Avenue
Archer, FL 32618
(352) 495-1304 (Home)
(352) 316-4508 (Business)
email: rmoss45986@aol.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Felecia-Moss-for-Alachua-County-School-Board-District-1/113038462068621?v=wall#!/pages/Felecia-Moss-for-Alachua-County-School-Board-District-1/113038462068621?v=wall

Via facebook: 7/20/2010:

” I am committed to doing what is best for the students in Alachua County.”

____________________________________________________________

Rick Nesbit

Qualified
27431 N County Road 1491
Alachua, FL 32615
(352) 318-1811
email: richard.nesbit@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rick-Nesbit-for-Alachua-County-School-Board-District-1/107828679259120#!/pages/Rick-Nesbit-for-Alachua-County-School-Board-District-1/107828679259120?v=wall

Via Facebook post June 2^nd 2010

“Last night’s school board meeting was a good example of the need for leadership on the Board. The school uniform policy was poorly constructed and will cause lots of needless problems for parents, teachers and administrators.” Via Facebook June 2 at 11:06am

He also goes on to also state in a reply post: “Given the adoption of the policy by a majority of the board, I would have preferred to see a graduated adoption of the policy with the uniform policy advancing as the affected children progress through the grades.” Via Facebook June 3 at 4:40pm

____________________________________________________________

David Palpant

Qualified
17926 NW 149th Place
Alachua, FL 32615
(386) 462-5042
website: www.dpalpantforkids.com

updated 7/29/2010

via Gainesville Sun Q and A: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100726/ARTICLES/100729575

Q: What is the biggest issue affecting your constituents, and how would you address it?

A: Unfortunately, the biggest issue right now is the uniform policy that was just passed. I would rescind the uniform policy, create a dress code to be followed by all schools, and then enforce it!

____________________________________________________________

District 3

Wayne Gabb

Qualified
(352) 284-6603
email: wgabb@cox.net
website: www.votewaynegabb.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1355510&id=1336250860&op=1&view=all&subj=128722757152771&aid=-1&oid=128722757152771&saved#!/group.php?gid=101545359884472&v=wall

Updated 7/23/2010

via facebook 723/2010: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=101545359884472&v=wall&story_fbid=127003734005301&ref=notif¬if_t=feed_comment_reply

“There was nothing wrong with the policy we had for uniforms. It should have been enforced and supported by Kirby Smith. This “new policy” iis not going to solve anything. Say NO to school uniforms in Alachua County.”

___________________________________________________________

Gunnar Paulson

Qualified
8617 NW 35th Rd.
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 214-2308
email: gunnar4schoolboard@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gunnar-Paulson-4-School-Board/123091987732709?ref=search&v=wall#!/pages/Gunnar-Paulson-4-School-Board/123091987732709?v=wall&ref=search

via facebook 7/2/2010 and also spoke to me at the Alachua 4th of July 4th of July Celebration7/4/2010 and told us verbally the same thing.

“I would have voted against uniforms. I think we have much more important issues on the table. Thanks for asking. Gunnar Paulson“

NOTE: but we have also heard that he flip flops on the issue.

____________________________________________________________

Jodi D. Wood

Qualified
P.O. Box 12695
Gainesville, FL 32604
(352) 682-3720
website: www.wood4schoolboard.org
Stated on his website: http://wood4schoolboard.org/schooluniforms.php

Update June 06, 2010…

As many of you know our current school board has enacted a strict uniform policy. As you will see below I am generally in favor of a uniform program; however I am not in agreement with what has just been enacted for 2 main reasons:

I believe it is unrealistic to enact this in high school
The restrictions in regards to markings and accessories for jeans/shorts/skirts are so restrictive that it will likely cause substantial added clothing expense for parents.

I believe there are ways to focus on a uniform dress code without causing undue financial burdens upon the community. If this is not done with financial concerns in mind then we should not have uniforms.

Jodi

____________________________________________________________

District 5

Jennifer D. Deachin

Qualified
4932 SW 19th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 376-7650
email: jen@jendeachinforschoolboard.org
website: jendeachinforschoolboard.org

Updated 712/2010

via email:

“I support the uniform policy that was put into affect from the current School Board members. I do understand that it is a more stringent dress code than its predecessor. Unfortunately there is a combination of issues regarding the uniform policy that must be addressed. The first a lack of implementation by current administration, principals, teachers, and parents alike. Additionally, I would like a plan to be in place that can easily be administered. Students are in school to get an education, as opposed to being preoccupied with status symbols, popularity, and other superfluous issues. I understand the students’ desire to express their identity, however, that can be done outside of school. In any career, one must follow the dress code and uniform specified. When we walk into a courtroom we must wear professional attire, teachers must abide by a dress code, etc. I believe the intention of the uniform policy is to provide an easier way of assessing proper dress. I am proposing that the School Board actually supply the uniforms to the students, size the students,and potentially profit from the uniform program. These profits would allow the school board to provide free uniforms to less fortunate families. I would also encourage that once students leave the Alachua County school system to donate their gently used uniforms for future students.”

____________________________________________________________

Carol Oyenarte

Qualified
5406 SW 97th Ter.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 262-2750
website: carolforeducation.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Elect-Carol-Oyenarte-for-Alachua-County-School-Board-District-5/110862372270506?v=wall&ref=ts

No answer yet as of 6/24/2010

____________________________________________________________

Christopher Smiley

Qualified
2800 SW 35th Pl. Apt. 2702
Gainesville, FL 32608
(561) 866-3719
website: www.fleducationreform.com
Stated via http://www.notopolos.com interview 6/10/2010
https://notopolos.wordpress.com/2010/06/10/comments-from-candidate-chris-smiley/

“I’m against school uniforms. The research shows that uniforms do not lessen dress code violations, nor do they make students behave or perform better in school.
The main ‘issue’ as claimed by board members really comes down to enforcement of dress code standards already in place. Mandating uniforms will not solve this.

Some people say that uniforms are not that bad, but there is absolutely no reason to implement them! We cannot just accept this. Making everyone buy and wear this stuff based on false premises or because some people think it looks nice is outrageous and wrong.
It is unjust for a public institution to make people abide by this policy when there is no conclusive evidence showing that an incredible good can come from the restriction of a certain freedom. It is even more unjust because of the unnecessary cost to families.

We need to be dealing with the fundamental problems of education instead of mindlessly taking away the rights of students and parents.” –Chris Smiley for School Board District 5

____________________________________________________________

Jancie Vinson

Qualified
5350 SW 62nd Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 338-8015

No website, Facebook page or email to contact for opinion

WE ARE HAPPY????

notopolos — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 14:35:01 +0000

Gainesville Sun article today has a quote from Diana Lagotic.. here is that quote from this article

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100822/ARTICLES/8221001/1118?p=1&tc=pg

The Alachua County School Board, in a 3-2 vote, passed the uniform dress code in June near the end of the 2009-10 school year. The decision sparked several weeks of student protests.

“We haven’t heard of any more protests,” Lagotic said. “I think everyone is getting ready to start the new year in uniforms and happy.”

So my question to you is, are we happy? I would say NO!!

NO TO UNIFORMS BRACELETS!!!

notopolos — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:48:43 +0000

Dear friends, one of our “no to polos” supports has bracelets which say “No Uniforms” for anyone who wants one please let us know by commenting here and we will get them to you. They are not out of code and no one is allowed to make you remove them. If they do please let the group know. It is a violation of free speech.

Frustration over finding uniforms

notopolos — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:19:37 +0000

via Gainesville Sun: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100817/ARTICLES/8171001/1118?Title=Frustration-over-finding-uniforms

Erica Brough/Staff photographer

Buy photo

Shelly Parrish helps sixth-grader Dixie Jennings look for her size among the remaining school-appropriate clothing on the shelves at Old Navy in Gainesville on Monday. “Everything’s pretty cleaned out,” said Heather Jennings, Dixie’s mother. “This is the only day we could go school shopping, so we’re hoping to come through with something.”

By Kimberly C. Moore
Staff writer

Published: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, August 16, 2010 at 8:12 p.m.

The selection of polo shirts at Old Navy on Monday looked like the dessert table at a family reunion – a few crumbs of $7 white and blue shirts were all that was left after the tax-free shopping weekend.

“We’ve been doing our best to get stuff,” said Britt Pietruszewski, the general manager of the Old Navy store on Archer Road. “We’ve got people mad at us that we don’t have it, but it’s kind of out of our hands.”

Shoppers looking to outfit their children with the new dress-code appropriate clothing this weekend were met with limited or no selection at some area retailers.

Pietruszewski said the corporate office ordered back-to-school items based on sales from the previous two years for his store in April – two months before the School Board imposed a dress code.

Scott Boyer, manager of the J.C. Penney store in The Oaks Mall, said he faced the same problem as Old Navy. Their fall clothes were ordered back in the spring from factories in Asia, where they were made and then shipped by boat to the United States. Boyer said he had urged the School Board to make the new dress code effective for fall 2011.

“When you institute something June 1 for August 1, that is probably an unrealistic expectation,” Boyer said. Instead, he had to deal with parents scrambling to find clothes for their children. “We could’ve done twice the school uniform business if we’d have gotten a little time.”

Students protested the policy back in June. But now parents – who are getting hit in the wallet – are angry that they are having to buy a new wardrobe for children.

Monica Fox, who was out shopping over the weekend, said many stores were out of items or never stocked for the uniform policy.

“How the School Board thinks it’s OK to force parents to come up with approximately $180 to outfit each child a mere eight weeks before school starts is elitist and shortsighted – I guess none of them work for a living,” Fox said. Her twin boys, Nathan and Chandler, will be in the fifth grade at Glen Springs Elementary School.

“Not all of us with more than one child can afford to shell out $360 or more with eight weeks’ notice to get our kids up to ‘standard,’ regardless of whether or not we get a 6 percent tax break on the stuff or not,” she said.

“Ugly,” was how Carol Snider called her shopping experience Monday at Target. Items were available, but many sizes were not. Navy blue skorts for girls were available in sizes 7 and 6X only.

Snider was shopping for two granddaughters, ages 10 and 6, trying to get them 10 tops and 10 bottoms each. At an average $10 an item, her bill was set to come out to about $400.

“I know for lower-income people, buying uniforms is going to be more expensive than buying regular clothes,” she said, adding that some discount or second-hand stores allow customers to fill a bag for just a few dollars.

Snider said she taught at Bronson Elementary School for 28 years and is against the uniform policy. She said well-off children will still be able to show their differences in the shoes, jewelry and purses they wear.

“Kids are individuals and that’s how they should be treated,” she said. “They’re just peas in a pod now.”

Paul Williams, a Target customer service attendant, said sales were brisk over the weekend, when Florida lifted the state’s 6 percent sales tax on clothing and back-to-school items.

“If we had anybody who didn’t get what they wanted, we offered rainchecks for it,” Williams said.

The new school dress code includes:

For girls – a long or short-sleeved, solid color, collared blouse or polo shirt with plain solid color skirt, pants, walking shorts, jumper, or skorts of corduroy, cotton, twill, or denim fabric. Jeans need to be solid color, without color trims, embroidery, or other decorations. Dresses may be worn but must be a solid color with short or long sleeves and follow the other requirements of this policy.

For boys – a long or short-sleeve, solid color, collared shirt, such as a polo, oxford, or dress, with plain solid color pants or walking shorts of corduroy, cotton, twill or denim fabric. Jeans need to be solid color, without color trims, embroidery, or other decorations.

And the clothes must fit properly – with no waistbands falling below the waist and no bare mid-drifts.

Scrubs by Design and Florida Uniforms both sell school uniform items, but have only catered to private schools in years past.

“We have a lot of colors – colors that others don’t seem to have,” said Lindy Armstrong, an owner of Scrubs by Design, which also sells medical outfits. Their polos start at $7.95. “We don’t really stock the bottoms because people can wear whatever they want.”

In addition, School of Uniforms, a locally owned online source for school clothes, said their online store has a program that gives parents 15 percent off each online purchase and an additional 5 percent cash back to the individual school.

“We’d love for the community to know we are an option for them online and welcome their business,” said Meleesa Salcedo, co-founder of SchoolofUniforms.com.

The Power of ONE VOTE update 8/16

notopolos — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:44:19 +0000

Update 8/16, April Griffin .pdf on uniforms see below

The power of ONE vote.

Below is an update of what the candidates thoughts on uniforms in RED

The day after school starts in Alachua County, there will be an election to elect our School Board representatives. Here is a list of the candidates and their stand on the school uniform issue. By no means is this to sway your vote on any other issues that are important to you, but to the members of NotoPOLOS.com, this is THE fundamental issue. There are certainly many important issues dealing with our schools in Alachua County than the issue of school uniforms, but our belief in the US Constitution’s First Amendment is paramount to ANY issues facing our children today.

This page will update as we get public comments (via facebook) from the candidates or write permission to quote them on the site if we get the comments via email. Thank you

District 1

Bonnie K. Burgess

Qualified
P.O. Box 111
Alachua, FL 32616
(386) 462-9171
Website: http://www.invisdesign.com/BBCampCS/Index.html

____________________________________________________________

April Griffin

Qualified
12310 SW 9th Ave.
Newberry, FL 32669
(352) 333-3113
Website : www.april4schools.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/April4Schools/342078590303?v=wall

Via facebook wrote:

April4Schools “Tonight is the School Board vote on School Uniforms. I honestly don’t know how it will turn out but I know one thing… It will be interesting!” June 4 at 1:22pm

Update 8/16/2010 pdf link on uniforms from April Griffin http://www.april4schools.com/uploads/3/2/3/8/3238827/uniform_policy.pdf

____________________________________________________________

Felecia Moss

Via facebook: 7/20/2010:

” I am committed to doing what is best for the students in Alachua County.”

____________________________________________________________

Rick Nesbit

Via Facebook post June 2^nd 2010

“Last night’s school board meeting was a good example of the need for leadership on the Board. The school uniform policy was poorly constructed and will cause lots of needless problems for parents, teachers and administrators.” Via Facebook June 2 at 11:06am

He also goes on to also state in a reply post: “Given the adoption of the policy by a majority of the board, I would have preferred to see a graduated adoption of the policy with the uniform policy advancing as the affected children progress through the grades.” Via Facebook June 3 at 4:40pm

____________________________________________________________

David Palpant

Qualified
17926 NW 149th Place
Alachua, FL 32615
(386) 462-5042
website: www.dpalpantforkids.com

updated 7/29/2010

via Gainesville Sun Q and A: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100726/ARTICLES/100729575

Q: What is the biggest issue affecting your constituents, and how would you address it?

A: Unfortunately, the biggest issue right now is the uniform policy that was just passed. I would rescind the uniform policy, create a dress code to be followed by all schools, and then enforce it!

____________________________________________________________

District 3

Wayne Gabb

Updated 7/23/2010

via facebook 723/2010: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=101545359884472&v=wall&story_fbid=127003734005301&ref=notif¬if_t=feed_comment_reply

“There was nothing wrong with the policy we had for uniforms. It should have been enforced and supported by Kirby Smith. This “new policy” iis not going to solve anything. Say NO to school uniforms in Alachua County.”

___________________________________________________________

Gunnar Paulson

via facebook 7/2/2010 and also spoke to me at the Alachua 4th of July 4th of July Celebration7/4/2010 and told us verbally the same thing.

“I would have voted against uniforms. I think we have much more important issues on the table. Thanks for asking. Gunnar Paulson“

____________________________________________________________

Jodi D. Wood

Qualified
P.O. Box 12695
Gainesville, FL 32604
(352) 682-3720
website: www.wood4schoolboard.org
Stated on his website: http://wood4schoolboard.org/schooluniforms.php

Update June 06, 2010…

I believe it is unrealistic to enact this in high school
The restrictions in regards to markings and accessories for jeans/shorts/skirts are so restrictive that it will likely cause substantial added clothing expense for parents.

Jodi

____________________________________________________________

District 5

Jennifer D. Deachin

Qualified
4932 SW 19th Street
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 376-7650
email: jen@jendeachinforschoolboard.org
website: jendeachinforschoolboard.org

Updated 712/2010

via email:

____________________________________________________________

Carol Oyenarte

No answer yet as of 6/24/2010

____________________________________________________________

Christopher Smiley

“I’m against school uniforms. The research shows that uniforms do not lessen dress code violations, nor do they make students behave or perform better in school.
The main ‘issue’ as claimed by board members really comes down to enforcement of dress code standards already in place. Mandating uniforms will not solve this.

Some people say that uniforms are not that bad, but there is absolutely no reason to implement them! We cannot just accept this. Making everyone buy and wear this stuff based on false premises or because some people think it looks nice is outrageous and wrong.
It is unjust for a public institution to make people abide by this policy when there is no conclusive evidence showing that an incredible good can come from the restriction of a certain freedom. It is even more unjust because of the unnecessary cost to families.

We need to be dealing with the fundamental problems of education instead of mindlessly taking away the rights of students and parents.” –Chris Smiley for School Board District 5

____________________________________________________________

Jancie Vinson

Qualified
5350 SW 62nd Ave.
Gainesville, FL 32608
(352) 338-8015

No website, Facebook page or email to contact for opinion

YOU DONT HAVE TO BUY UNIFORMS! PLEASE READ

notopolos — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:45:25 +0000

via: Chris Smiley No to Polos facebook group. http://www.facebook.com/CoxComm?ref=search#!/group.php?gid=128722757152771

YOU DONT HAVE TO BUY UNIFORMS! PLEASE READ, From the code of conduct- “You will not be denied attendance at school or be otherwise penalized for failing to wear clothing that complies with the school uniform, if such failure is due to financial hardship. Your parent/guardian should notify the principal if assistance is…… needed”
The board has promised assistance but there are no guidelines for what qualifies as financial hardship and there is no source of funding. EVERYONE that applies will fall under this category and be exempt (or else they will be subject to a lawsuit for discrimination if some are rejected with no established criteria)
So have your parent contact your school and request a uniform assistance form. Your school cannot make you wear a uniform if you claim to have ‘financial hardship’ in buying a new wardrobe. Most likely your assistance forms will be processing indefinitely as the schools are not prepared to handle this and you will be exempt.

HELP “SPREAD THE WORD”

notopolos — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:51:30 +0000

HELP “SPREAD THE WORD”… A strong showing of school uniform opposition MUST be maintained. To have impact, this opposition MUST include STUDENTS, PARENTS and TAXPAYERS/VOTERS. The next opportunity to exercise FREEDOM OF SPEECH and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION is this Tuesday, August 3rd 6:00 PM:

School Board Meeting

Tuesday, August 3, 2010, 6 p.m.

Kirby-Smith Center Boardroom

A G E N D A

A. CALL TO ORDER–PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. July 20, 2010, School Board Meeting

2. July 22, 2010, Special School Board Meeting

C. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

D. BOARD MEMBER/SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

E. CITIZEN INPUT (Fifteen (15) minutes will be provided for citizens to address the Board prior to the regular business meeting. It is requested that citizens keep their comments to approximately three (3) minutes.

G. ACTION ITEMS

1. Revisions to Codes of Student Conduct for 2010-11—Second Reading (Black)

The School Board adopts Elementary and Secondary Codes of Student Conduct each year. Revisions to the Code for 2010-11 include the School Board’s new dress code policy, changes to the definitions of Bullying and Harassment, and minor editorial changes throughout, for clarity and correctness. A public hearing was held on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, 6:30 p.m.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: The Superintendent recommends that the School Board approve the Elementary and Secondary Codes of Student Conduct for 2010-11, as presented.

H. CITIZEN INPUT (This provides citizens the opportunity to address the Board following the regular business meeting. It is requested that citizens keep their comments to approximately three (3) minutes.)

Upcoming Meetings:

August 10, 2010, 9 a.m., Informal Board Meeting, Boardroom
· August 17, 2010, 6 p.m., School Board Meeting, Boardroom

· August 17, 2010, 6:30 p.m., Public Hearing, Class Size Amendment, Boardroom

Look out for the Sock Monster!

notopolos — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:31:41 +0000

So as well as the belt having to be solid . Your socks have to be solid color as well. So watch out for the sock monster in your town that has stripes, flowers, poke-a-dots on them. They are a NO’s NO’s in the School boards eyes!

Again NONE of this information is on the school board website. This is all coming from them over the phone. I think they are making this stuff up as they go. You can all them your self at this number 352-955-7444.

Have a HAPPY SOLID COLOR SCHOOL YEAR. Remember that patterns and stripe are evil!

Watch out for your BELT!!!

notopolos — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:14:30 +0000

Just read in the Gainesville Sun issue http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100730/ARTICLES/100739943 that belts have to be solid color.. no prints. So I called my daughters high school. They said they no nothing about that it is not written on the website a ACSB. ( She right its not) So call the school board. They tell me yes, belts have to be solid color no prints. COME ON REALLY!!!!! So call the school back to tell them. They where in “ah” that a belt had to be solid and had no written document form the ACSB on the issue. These poor schools are clueless to what the ACSB is doing. It’s not their fault either , it’s the lack of communication. “The power house has spoken, you all will take a knee before me” is the attitude from the school board!!! The school really do not know what your kids are to wear. It seems as if the school board is make things up as they go.