Is Our Uniform Too...Uniform?
How many people like Bishop Allen’s uniform? Though it makes us look like a united school community, many look at Father John Redmond, with their kilts and ties, or Michael Power and their shorts, with jealousy.
A
bout eight or nine years ago, the presiding principal changed BA’s school uniform to grey pants and blue shirts—what we wear today. Now, Mr. Carey has sent out a survey to parents, students, and teachers, asking how they feel about getting a new uniform. There are many options, such as kilts, vests, bowties, shorts or just keeping it the same. There are three main points of view, each one very different from the next.
After asking around, many parents do not want the school uniform to change, simply because of the issue of money. If the pants and polos become, say, kilts and sweater vests, it is the parents who would have to pay for the switch. And many would rather not.
When asking the students, many do not like the current uniforms and are taking full advantage of the survey. They want something new and comfortable, as well as warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
While the teachers’ perspectives are split. Some say that the uniform is perfectly fine. It doesn’t distract from learning at all, and we look like a united community. It’s like a job. If you worked at McDonald’s you would be required to wear a McDonald’s shirt—it’s exactly the same with school. Signing off the contract states that students will be coming to this school, and agree to the terms—one of those terms is wearing the school uniform. And the fewer items, the less hassle.
On the other hand, some say that it’s time for a change. The uniforms are uncomfortable and unfair to the students. In Toronto, we have very cold winters, and sometimes very warm summers. With the pants, many are hot and sweaty. If the school had a different uniform, maybe shorts, or kilts, this might not be the issue—the issue would be the winter. And for that problem, Ms. Moriana had a solution. “We should definitely have a summer uniform and winter dress. Given the current building conditions, I think if you want to project a student who is serious about their academics, it needs to change. We want students to be comfortable enough to excel.” So, we need to phase the new uniform in, with every new-year wearing the new uniform, and a summer dress would be optional to all grades.
What do you think? Is the uniform okay as it is? Should it change? Share your opinion by clicking here!
Comments