A school board trustee has suggested school uniforms for public school students. We asked you what you think.

I think that wearing of school uniforms is a good idea, beacause as parents we would spend less on colthes each year, also it will help to identify the students as well as the schools from which they come.

-- Doreen Jolly, Ajax 

I am currently attending J. clark richardson Collegiate and in grade 10. I would like to see school uniforms as soon as possable. Alot of pressure to fit in and look good will be lifted from many teenagers if uniforms are worn. Gang violence would decreas, stress to fit in would be lifted, and you can concentrait more on studies. At my school we do not wear uniforms and i go through alot of pressure to look good and fit in with the other girls. Im not poor but not rich and its hard to buy some of the clothes most of the girls are wearing now. If you are worried about some people not being able to show there individuality dont be.. you can wear your on shoes most times as long as there black, you can wear your hair whatever way you want and do your make up the same. Sometimes i dont feel very safe at school because of the fighting ect. I feel if there were school uniforms that would decrease a good amount. Please concider what i am saying. uniforms would be a great idea. Put them in schools as soon as possable ! I no alot of kids would suport this. Uniforms soon please. I cant wait as long as a year thats crazy. The violence and pressure to fit in is crazy..

-- Jessica roocroft

Uniforms are a YES ! im currently in J. clark richardson and i suport UNIFORMS ! go uniforms !

-- Gina Adams, Ajax 

I think school shirts, t-shirts and gym outfits is a great idea. My concern is that many cannot afford the HIGH prices of these uniforms. Are the schools going to partner with a CANADIAN chain store for bulk purchases instead of having to go to the independents??  Even more so - teach your kids how to dress with respect and put pressure on the students/parents to have their children show up with their pants up (mostly for the boys) and shirts long enougth to cover them (for the girls). As far as gangs go - OUT OUT OUT - don’t allow them to attend school period. Is there not accountability anymore!! The parents need to be involved in their children’s lives whether they work or not and work jointly and amicably with the school system to regain some clothing respect for the students, teachers and parents alike. When did the children become the rulers of the school system?? They are attendees and should have some input and independence but not at the cost of basic moral judgement and respect. Wow quite a vent for a seeming simple topic.  But I think that just by changing clothes is not the resolution - the root cause needs to be dealt with at all levels.

 -- Sharon Hutchings, Whitby

 It is absolutely ridiculous to see the styles of dressings that are in the public school system today,not to mention the vulgarity that is attached to some of these fashion statements.

-- Rose Anderson, Ajax

School uniforms for public school students is an idea that is well overdue. I can only see advantages. Once implemented a used uniform program can be instituted to help parents with the cost.

-- Ann Taylor, Pickering

I completely agree with the implementation of uniforms for public shcools. It will create less stress for both parents and children and teach the children another form of respect, ie. a rule is a rule. Most importantly, I think the schools would benefit tremendously from the money coming in from these uniforms, as public schools are starving for funding.

-- Joanna Karlis, Pickering

I think the introducion of uniforms is an excellent idea. Kids have a neater appearance, parents wound not have to try to keep up with expensive fashion trends and the child will have a smarter appearance.

 -- Dawn Mckinson, Pickering

 If like the trustee says it helped with safety concerns in one of the schools they applied it to then it’s a pretty good Idea.... but why let individuality become non-existent because of a few bad apples? To fully understand the benefits of a school uniform I would like to see a report that supports that there would be a safety enhancement. Is there a report from the school from the other board that you could get your hands on to show the before/after stats regarding safety?.... if you do decide to go this avenue then why not have the students design the school uniform of their choice (within the code of conduct’s dress code of course).

 -- Scott Templeton, Whitby