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My Wallet Bleeds For Thee, School Uniforms

More people trying to speak for me and ruin my budget


(Aug. 6) - As the new school year approaches, more schools are requiring students to wear uniforms or otherwise restricting what they may wear - and parents are objecting.

Their complaint: The policies trample students' right of expression and parents' right to raise children without government interference, says Vickie Crager, founder of Asserting Parental Rights - it's Our Duty, a parents rights group that opposes school uniforms.

Are you kidding me? There's actually a group that opposes school uniforms. They're using the age old excuse of oppressing freedom of expression because their kids aren't allowed to wear Sean John and Baby Gap.

I'll wager money that these are the "cool parents" who have the plasma screen tv that all the kids watch 'My Super Sweet 16' on.

Parents Laura and Scott Bell filed suit over an Anderson, Ind., uniform plan that will begin when students return to school Aug. 20. A hearing was scheduled today in federal court in Indianapolis.

The Anderson policy requires black, navy or khaki pants or skirts and a solid-color shirt with a collar.

Oh, God forbid. Khaki pants and a collared shirt. The horror. The oppression. Gasp, shock, awe.

"As a parent, we felt our rights were being violated," says Laura Bell. They have five children, ages 5 to 17.

Give me a flipping break. You have five school age kids that you have to buy clothes for and you're actually bitching about uniforms? You're going to save hundreds of dollars on clothes! I spent a total of $45 on school uniforms to last for the whole week on my daughter. As opposed to paying $10 - $15 for each pair of shorts/pants/skirt/dresses, and $10 - $20 for each shirt, depending on which "cool" ones she wants. Plus, what is the point of buying expensive clothes that are going to get dirt, mud, food, paint, and God only knows what else on them. Think, people!

The Bells' suit makes two claims: that the uniform requirement violates their children's constitutional right of free expression and that it violates the guarantee of a free public education. The Bells would have to pay $641 for five sets of pants and shirts required by the policy, Laura Bell says.

Violates free education? Do you send your kids to school naked, Mr. and Mrs. Bell? No? Ok, then. You have to buy school clothes anyways. Quit your bitching and suck it up.

Others who object to uniforms and strict dress codes make their case outside the courtroom. Nashville parents created Metro Parents Against Standard School Attire after the school board announced plans for uniforms this spring.

"We perceive it as an educational fad," says Ashley Crownover, the group's spokeswoman. She says research does not support claims that uniforms increase safety or improve academic performance.

An "educational fad"? Any fad that saves me money is a fad I like, thanks very much.

Some members of the group are considering suing or encouraging their children not to wear uniforms when school starts Aug. 13, Crownover says.

"We expect our school systems to do a lot, but this is taking it too far," she says. "That's my job - to help my children learn what is and isn't appropriate clothing."

No kidding. I thought maybe the school could teach my kids how to distinguish between good and evil while they're at it. There are these wonderful things called weekends that you can utilize to teach proper attire rules.

Honestly, how many parents out there are willing to fight with their kids every day over what they are going to wear? Isn't it easier with uniforms?
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