The Overly Honest Teacher by Meredith Essalat

Author:Meredith Essalat
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Collective Book Studio
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

WHO WORE IT BEST?

The recent shift from “free dress” to uniforms in our public schools is one that we should all be embracing. For the record, I am the product of Catholic schools, from first grade through high school, so uniforms were as natural to me as breathing. But for the student who is accustomed to selecting their own clothes and using said wardrobe as a means for self-expression, I can understand that the switch to a uniform would be shocking to say the least. But the benefits of students clad in the same garb day in and day out certainly outweigh the pitfalls. And even if your child’s school has not yet adopted this growing trend, there are aspects of it to which every parent should be attuned.

I will preface this chapter by noting—the quantifiable data results on uniforms versus free dress are mixed. But the qualifiable data I have collected over the years has formed, for both myself and my inner circle of colleagues, a resounding “Yes” vote when it comes to a school’s dress code.

Picture it:

The student who fidgets with the perfect placement of the zipper on their hoodie throughout the entire duration of class only to end up taking it off completely come lunchtime.

The child who pops their baseball cap forward and backward, off then back on again, over and over and over, never landing on just the right placement.

The overwhelming concern if bracelets are stacked properly, or scrunchies, or any other accessory.

The stress that comes from a scuff on a new pair of sneakers, or the hotbed of jealousy that arises around brands, styles, and logos.

You’ve heard it time and time again: Uniforms level the playing field. But from this teacher’s perspective, I can assure you that the rumors are indeed true. Students who are dressed in the same clothes are more focused on school and far less distracted throughout the day. Teaching in a private school, my colleagues and I could set our watches to the chaos that would undoubtedly ensue on the last Friday of each month when the students were privileged with free dress.

The energy level on those days was far more palpable than on the days of uniformed plaid skirts and navy shorts. Kids would come bounding onto the play yard throwing far more caution to the wind as they ran and jumped and screamed, both with and at one another. Side-eyed glances from groups of girls who looked one another up and down before determining the success of each other’s ensembles. And when it came time to line up for morning announcements, let’s just say that the day generally got off to a late start as corralling the free-dressed masses took longer than usual.

Oh, and on those days, there was certainly less learning, too.

I will admit, once students grow accustomed to free dress, the calmer the learning environment will become. But the distraction that clothes cause is a long-lingering effect. Brands, labels, and Lululemon are a surefire way to separate the crowd.

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