Comments on: Things Have Changed Since ‘85

By: Melia

Melia — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:32:22 +0000

Gill, yeah, I haven’t actually called the teachers by their first names besides in the post and don’t know if I can really do it!

Margaret, apparently one environmentally conscious teacher priced out styrofoam versus trays (labor costs) a few years back, and disposable was unfortunately cheaper. This seems weird to me, so I’m going to check on it. I’ll also ask about support for ELLs. I know that the kindergarten teacher sends home books each week in the language the parents speak.

Casandra, agreed that “adorable” isn’t a strong enough reason for uniforms. I think that this particular policy is pretty reasonable, since the families — and ideally the kids — can opt out of them easily. There’s also a lot of variety within the uniform; I found out that the kids can wear denim, too. Families requested the uniforms because they’re the standard in Mexico.

By: Casandra

Casandra — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:25:56 +0000

However easy, adorable, levelling… whatever, I still think uniforms are fascist- at ANY AGE!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:57:57 +0000

Hot lunch in styrofoam? What are they thinking? I remember that ours came in aluminum ‘disposable’ trays- which were never recycled. Hm. And about the uniforms: it was fine when you’re in 1st through 4th or 5th grades, but upwards of that, and for me it just accentuated the awkwardness. Maybe puberty starts the “I wanna be ME!” juices flowing as well as hormones…
Another question: what resources does the school have to offer ELLs?

By: Gilliebean

Gilliebean — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:46:00 +0000

It’s totally weirding me out that you’re referring to teachers by their first names! It took me a minute to figure out who they were.

Wow, kindergarten is all day now? I don’t know if I would have been able to handle that when I was five. That’s a long day!

I’m much more open to the uniform idea now, too. I used to be so opposed to it when I was in school, but I can definitely see how it would make things a little more equal. And I have heard from private school friends that it’s nice not having to worry about what you’re going to wear tomorrow. Though that would have ruled out my HOT Hammer pants in elementary school.

By: Melia

Melia — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:07:43 +0000

I’m not sure if the uniform policy applies at the middle and high school levels but will ask. I’m more open to the idea of uniforms than I used to be. Any kind of large-scale conformity makes me nervous, but as you said, the policy is flexible enough that the kids can wear their Dora the Explorer tees if they want to. There are also some options for the uniform: a skirt, jumper, pants, or shorts in khaki or navy, and shirts of various styles. It takes one distraction out of the equation, and the little ones do look so darn cute in their pleats. Haha, I wonder what style would flatter the 5th graders’ gawky frames.

You would have been a great hall monitor. I can imagine your disgust at your little classmates’ slovenly appearance. For shame!

By: Ide

Ide — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:39:09 +0000

That’s a really solid uniform policy. Does it extend all the way through high school? I hate to admit that I think uniforms are a really great idea. When I was 5, being the tiny enforcer that I was, I loved my plaid ensemble. My mom would iron my jumper every day so that the giant box pleats were straight, and I would order other kids to tuck in their shirts. I have to admit, they looked pretty cute. They did not look as cute on the hulking and awkward fifth-graders, but that was a few years off.