Coming from a Catholic School background, I'm new to the world of wear whatever you want to school. The 2007-2008 D41 handbook states as part of the dress code:

Students may not wear clothing that is excessively
revealing, such as micro-miniskirts, short shorts, transparent
apparel, tank tops, loose fitting, one-shoulder or
off-shoulder tops and low-cut halter-tops. Clothing
should cover the torso. Skirts/shorts must be at or
near mid-thigh. No underwear should be showing.

My soon to be Kindergartener is a big fan of dresses. She has a lot of summer sundress, but they all have "tank" tops. Here's an example. Are dresses like this acceptable at D41 or would she need to put a T-shirt underneath?

In theory...a Kindergartener will not be wearing a bra...so I am guessing that that dress would be A-OK.

For the record, if'n I had a daughter, I would say that those rules do not appear to be overly oppressive. But that's me.

Ah - the innocence of kindergarten. I remember last year when my freshman reported that in study hall a young man put a skirt-wearing "ho" (the young man's word) over his lap and spanked her. As it was told to me, "Mom, I'm not sure if she was wearing a thong, or didn't have any underwear on."

I would ask the school to clarify the kindergarten dress code.

Mamattorney - that style of dress is worn quite frequently by the younger kids. As Clamato states, when they get a bit older the t-shirt may be required. Your daughter should be fine.

This thread reminds of a conversation heard quite often around town...what do posters think about school uniforms in public elementary schools? Nothing too restrictive...polo-type shirts and denim or khaki jeans/pants or skirts/jumpers. Yeah or nay? Seems there are solid opinions on both sides of the question...

quote:

Originally posted by 4MP:

This thread reminds of a conversation heard quite often around town...what do posters think about school uniforms in public elementary schools?

Yes - In elementary school, in middle school and in high school.

It would take away a lot of the bull ****. And with three girls, it would save me a TON of money.

Uniforms....I have no problem with them.

I would have no problem with uniforms either. Even through high school. My high school just had a dress code; it was skirts for the girls in all but the three coldest months of the year and ties for boys in all but the three hottest months of the school year. You wouldn't believe how many skirts I brought with me my freshman year of college that were never worn again. Fortunately for my niece and the others attending the school today, they have switched to the polo/khakis uniform so girls can spend their disposable income on more practical clothes.

Of course, having worn a uniform for 8 years, i can truthfully say while it cuts down on the garbage, it doesn't eliminate ALL the bull****. You wouldn't believe how important is was for me to have a certain brand of sweater and a certain kind of shoes -- the only two areas we were allowed any leeway with.

Mamattorney's vote for the school dress code.

I am opposed to uniforms in public schools. Dress code, absolutely! If you want your kids to wear uniforms, send them to private school but in my experience, as mama has alluded, the kids find ways to keep the BS in the whole "cool kid" "geeky kid" thing. Besides, I do think it's one way kids can help formulate their identity and test the waters of what is appropriate in various situations. Obviously, some parents need to reign in their kids a bit more and in some cases, the kid looks fine going out the door but looks completely different by the time he/she sets foot in the school.

Mama, your kindergarten girl will be just fine in that dress. It is meant more for girls once they start to "mature". However, depending on the classroom, some temperatures can be rather cool and so she may decide to wear a t-shirt underneath.

Well, that uniform is OK, but I prefer the more modern purple variety, especially if they would be personalized a la K-Fed.

Yeah, I can see where 'tank' would seem like a match to that dress. That is a spaghetti strap tank (?) but long. ?HMMM, I guess would the staff of the school or any school say or send a note home?

Beats what I've seen in Japan dress. Wow, those clothes are horrendously short. I watched the other day Babel and part of it is shot in Japan and I believe they are all uniformed children. The girls skirts were at the tops of the thighs. Even mid-length looks bad. My public school only allowed shorts, skirts or dresses to the knee. My private school was neutral and we didn't abuse it. It was never an issue with parents and kids. I was not Catholic.

quote:

I was not Catholic.

Are you now?

Good point. I should have said - I am not catholic - I'm Lutheran.

I can tell you that the dress code was never a concern at the elementary level. In junior high it was and students were not sent home- they had to change into their gym uniform. At West it appears that they allow the students to wear anything they please. I am very glad that my girls are very modest.

Thanks everyone on the dress issue. I couldn't believe that it wouldn't be OK for a Kindergartener, but I wouldn't want her first day to involve a trip to the principal's office to change clothes.

I have to drop off her medical/dental/eye exam forms, so maybe I'll bring her along wearing one of her sundresses and just confirm with a member of the office staff.

That dress totally fine through 5th grade, teachers in elemantary school dress that way.
Over at Hadley, way different story, but now that the Fitch has left things could get relaxed.