Student is lone protestor for school uniform policy (my title)(potential ACLU alert)

Scranton Times-Tribune ^ | 9/3/2003 | Jeremy R. Cooke

[Born Conservative]

Student is uniformly defiant

By Jeremy R. Cooke

09/03/2003

THROOP -- A Mid Valley School District ninth-grader may face truancy charges for not complying with the district's new uniform dress code policy, implemented this school year for students from kindergarten through 11th grade.

Ari Pavelich, 14, and his mother, Alyce Bernatovich, of Olyphant, call the policy "discriminatory" because it allows high school seniors to dress as they please during this year only.

Mid Valley school directors approved the exemption for students in 12th grade during 2003-04 to prevent them from having to buy district-approved clothes that might be used for less than a year.

"They didn't feel it would be fair to have to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes," board member Kenneth Novack said. "The first year is the expensive year." Thereafter, he added, the cost drops for families with uniformed students.

Ms. Bernatovich disagrees.

"That's not a legitimate excuse," she said, adding that parents with growing children may need to replace many uniform items yearly.

Tuesday was the fifth school day of the year at Mid Valley.

Ari arrived in the morning, wearing clothes of his own choice, only to be sent home once again, Ms. Bernatovich said.

"His protesting is not disrupting anything," she said.

Ari said he is willing to face the consequences to have his message heard. Early last week, he said some of his 10th-grade friends had planned on protesting along with him, but they did not follow through, his mother said.

Randy D. Parry, principal at the Mid Valley Secondary Center, would not discuss Ari's discipline specifically but said the school can ask the local district justice to get involved and file truancy charges after a student is sent home three or more days in a row.

Problems with the uniform policy have been "very limited," Mr. Parry said, adding that "only one student" has totally refused to comply.

Most problems have come from various oversights, and a handful of students and families who did not understand the specific guidelines, Mr. Parry said.

In nearby Valley View School District, which also began requiring uniforms this school year, some students were not in compliance on the first day.

But Superintendent Joseph M. Daley said those problems have been addressed and no student has faced truancy charges related to the uniforms.

"We haven't even remotely taken that route," he said. "The kids look terrific. They absolutely look terrific." Valley View requires all students, including those in 12th grade, to follow the dress code policy from the first year.

"We did not segregate the seniors," he said. "I think that was important." Back in Mid Valley, Mr. Parry said some families were against the policy at first, but added that he has not heard any complaints about the uniforms since classes started meeting.

Ms. Bernatovich insists she has received verbal support behind the scenes, but the fellow parents are generally unwilling to protest alongside her family.

"I've only had one parent say that I'm being ridiculous," she said.

Parents or guardians with truant children can face fines, community service or jail time if they do not follow court orders, Mr. Parry said.

[Born Conservative]

While I agree it may be "unfair" that the seniors are not required to wear uniforms, but the underclass students are, TOUGH!

This mother was interviewed on a local radio call in show today. She asserts that this is a "1st amendment" issue and that by requiring him to wear a uniform but not the seniors, his "constitutional rights are being violated". Of course, the 1 radio host (Kevin Lynn) shot her right down. She doesn't have a lawyer (yet); how long before the ACLU jumps in to "save the day"?

[shiva]

Ridiculous Woman!

[ladylib]

She isn't going to win. She should home school her son, send him to a private school that doesn't have a uniform policy, or sign him up in a cyber charter school -- three options that might be more attractive to her and her son. It's her choice, and she should have thought about it before the first day of class.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

The local school system deciding to go to uniforms was the last straw for me.
My kids always worked and earned their own money. They bought their own clothes. Excellent training in finance and responsibility.

When the Local Nazis tried to make everyone dress like the drug dealing child of the most obnoxious school committee member( kahkis and polo shirts), I yanked them.

My kid asked the school comittee,
"You say if everyone dressed in kahkis and polo shirts, like your son, they'd all be better students?"

I don't, and my friends here with me don't, and we are the best students in the school."

"Your son, in the polo shirts and kahkis, isn't he the one who was arrested for truancy and selling drugs? Isn't he the one who has to go to summer school in order to squeak into the next grade?"

After that bout with the truth, I had to take them out.

Bwahahahahaa!

[Born Conservative]

She did say on the radio this morning that she would end up home schooling him.

I think that there are 2 separate issues here: 1. the concept of school uniforms and 2. following the rules set by the school.

Personally, I would have no problem with my child having to buy school uniforms. It's cheaper, and it eliminates the school having to police the children for inappropriate clothing.

I agree that if she doesn't like the rule, she needs to find an alternative way to educate her child. However, rules are rules, and I think that today's parents are far too often trying to find a way around the rules instead of following them. What does THIS teach our children?

[Sacajaweau]

I think uniforms are great. It levels the discrepancy between the rich and poor.

P.S. We changed uniforms at our school in our Junior year. The seniors could wear their old uniforms. It was a savings at a time when my family didn't have much money.

[ladylib]

As far as government school is concerned, it tells parents that the school can make clothing decisions (which the parent pays for. I wouldn't mind half so much if the school picked up the tab)for their children, regardless of what the parent (taxpayer) wants.

Parents who feel they don't want to go along with this should consider other options and tell the school why they are yanking their kids, not wait until the first day of school and make a big stink about it.

[Alouette]

When I saw the thread title and the ACLU is involved, I thought it must be about a Muslim head scarf.

[GOP_Lady]

I totally agree with you. I work part-time in a store in a mall. We are required to wear either a polo or a button-down shirt. I fought the new dress code, but to no avail. I, as a woman, do not wear button-down shirts and polos -- they are MEN's shirts, and I have never seen women look attractive in them. I AM A WOMAN AND DON'T WANT TO DRESS LIKE A MAN -- bottom line -- it's an insult to me, not to mention uncomfortable. If you look at ads on TV, you will even see the men and women dressed alike. I think it's sick.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

We were once a nation of individuals.
I know its hard for most people to believe nowadays.

Putting all the kids into little Mao jackets doesn't seem too American to me.

They aren't a batch of cookies.
Not a flock of sheep.

At least they aren't supposed to be.

[Sloth]

School uniforms = Communist indoctrination

[Imal]

"Dayvear... eveningvear... svimvear..."

[Sacajaweau]

Throughout my childhood, we more or less all wore the same "NEAT & CLEAN" clothes to school. The problem is that too many kids today, look like plain slobs, dress like tramps and act that way, too.

[mtbopfuyn]

No, the "uniforms are cheaper" argument doesn't fly here. I shop second hand and the kids are still dressed well. The budget doesn't allow for uniforms. Don't tell me to buy used from older kids because they will be thread bare and that is not acceptable. With uniforms every worn spot is a glaring spotlight whereas a frayed hem on jeans is "in".

No, the "rich v. poor kid" argument doesn't fly either. Have any of you taken two minutes at 8 am to look at the kids arriving to school? Every single one is dressed in the typical teen uniform - jeans and tees. There is very little to distinquish the socio-economic level of their families. The only thing I see that distinquishes one kid from another is their hygiene and that doesn't equate with the family's income.

Now, about uniforms; I hate them. I had them when I was in Catholic school and HATED them. I'd be protesting uniforms to the board and then homeschooling. Kids must have the opportunity to learn about themselves and try out goofy styles now instead of when they're out competing in the job market. They need to learn consumer skills and have some experience under their belts before they're on their own. Buying their own clothes is a very important life skill while they have guidance.

[Sacajaweau]

I'm trying to figure out just one thing wrong with uniforms. I can think of nothing.

It's no different than one kid saying that I don't want to use that text. I want to pick out my own.

[GOP_Lady]

Didn't this answer your question? "...button-down shirts and polos -- they are MEN's shirts..."

[freeeee]

I think uniforms are great. It levels the discrepancy between the rich and poor.

That's exactly why communists like them.

Here's Cuba's finest wearing their state approved uniforms.

[ladylib]

Hillary loves uniforms for public school kids. However, when passing Sidwell Friends (the private school Chelsea went to) I didn't see kids wearing uniforms.

Pink nylon dresses and hairnets for the girls -- orange jumpsuits for the boys?

[Born Conservative]

I'm a nurse and am required to wear a uniform to work. Does that make ME a communist?

[Sloth]

I'm trying to figure out just one thing wrong with uniforms. I can think of nothing.

Well, the purpose of uniforms is to quash all individual identity and promote collective group-think, so I think that's bad enough. But what about, "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."?