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Letters to the Editor After eight long years with school uniforms, you tell me, have uniforms improved our schools? I say no. The popular argument for uniforms is that they make our schools safe. Let's get real. Our campuses are wide open. Who doesn't own khaki pants and white shirts? In fact, if school officials really believed this argument wouldn't teachers have to wear uniforms? After all, reasonable people would be more concerned about unidentified adults on school campuses than with unidentified third graders. The greatest threat school children face is violence from other students. An overwhelming majority of school shootings involve students shooting other students/teachers. Why? The shooters felt ostracized, unfairly targeted or bullied. Implementing real security measures and addressing real issues like these will do more to prevent school violence than worrying about the color of clothing. School uniform policies have increased disruptions in schools. Teachers are concerned with the color of socks, belts or jackets. Students are threatened with corporal punishment, suspension and alternative school for multiple uniform violations. Isn't our objective to keep kids in school except in the most egregious of cases? Should students be denied their constitutional right to an education because of the color of their socks? Let's get our priorities straight. Alabama does not require school uniforms. In fact, many districts in Alabama do not require them. Washington County requires uniforms because we allow it. We must stop the nonsense. We must stand up against policies that do not solve real problems in our schools. School policies should not be based on the latest fads and should not unnecessarily burden students, parents or teachers. Above all, our policies should focus on keeping kids in school when possible. We must exercise our right to demand policies that improve our schools. Together we can ensure our teachers can focus on teaching and our students can focus on learning. Please contact me at dyessli1@millry.net or (251) 846-3170 to share your thoughts. Lisa Dyess
Millry
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