Uniforms are a great idea. Being uniformed at school certainly would help put the children's focus more on education.

In response to the "Excellence" Rating, everyone knows that this report card is based on "testing" and not true academics. Every year weeks are spent on preparing for these exams. Sure would be nice if the same attention was given to actual exams that affect the individual child's grades.

I have to say that I agree with the idea that the students should wear uniforms. I worked for the school system for years and I have to tell you that most kids come to school wearing clothes that are not appropriate. The staff spends entirely to much time checking the lengts of skirts and the sag of pants, uniforms would save us all a lot of aggrivation.Try a belt!The problem isn't that the parents are buying them or even see them leave the house dressed the way that they are. It's that the fashions are sold to them to begin with.You can't go into the mall and buy a pair of pants that fit. They don't sell them! The stores encourage the kids to buy this garbage. Yes to uniforms!!Who says they have to have a pair of $100.00 jeans to wear afer school?

As an involved school-parent, I do not agree with the idea that Twinsburg students should wear uniforms like the Cleveland city school kids. Twinsburg's city school was not rated as "excellent" on its annual report card for the 2006-07 school year just because the students were paying attention to what they wore to school, it was because that's what made them feel more relaxed at school so they were able to concentrate on excelling on state manadated tests. I am also a single parent with one income coming into the household, and if I had to buy uniforms to keep our children concretrating on schoolwork, I would have to buy extra clothing for them to wear outside of school, because they are not going to wear their uniforms after school. This would not save me, or any other parent, money. It would just duplicate.

It starts in the home first! If your daughter or son is wearing pants that look painted on or foolish looking baggy pants and micro mini-skirts, then stop buying it! We do not need the schools to enforce uniforms with our children, we need to enforce proper dress etiquette with our own children.

I agree with most of the readers above and think it would be a good idea for the school to consider uniforms for all students. I a mother of 3 school age children in the Twinsburg system and my reasons are as follows:

Uniform peices are generally less expensive overall than many of the fads or styles out in the market today.

Uniforms would encourage a neat appearance in the kids. This would be more in keeping with what society will expect of them when they become adults in the workforce. Many kids seem to like wearing trashy looks on sale today - like the loose/baggy, faded, artistically ripped/torn tops & bottoms. In addition many of the clothing manufacturers seem to think provocative clothes are the norm for girls - even young girls. These styles don't encourage people to think very highly of themselves nor do they encourage the kids to pay attention to the lessons the teachers are trying to teach.

Uniforms prevent kids from feeling they need to compete or outdo others simply from the clothes they wear - school is not a style show. Additionally, it would prevent lower income kids from feeling left behind because they can't afford the designer jeans or jacket - in other words Uniforms even the playing field for some.

Uniforms can give kids a sense of belonging - teen years are very hard on most kids - especially girls. Being "like" everyone else is very important and if you are different there is something wrong with you. You can be too fat/skinny, you wear glasses or braces, your hair is just not right, you have acne/blotchy skin. There are too many things that can be "wrong" with you - why do you have to compete with clothes also. If everyone wears the same or similar clothes - who you are and what you say/do become more important than being Sweet Sue with the skimpy little skirt that shows her panties when she bends over and the low cut provocative little sweater she paired it with and the spiky little shoes/boots. Sure the boys think she's hot but are they paying attention to the English teacher's lesson or trying to look at her instead?

If kids today wore decent clothing instead of micro-mini skirts, skanky/bratz-type prostitute-wear, thug-wear, foolish-looking baggy pants, beach-wear, and other clothing that detracts from a safe, secure, focused learning environment, this question wouldn't even need to be asked.

I agree that much of the problem may be that the schools themselves are not enforcing their own dress codes.

When I was in school (a long time ago, but that shouldn't matter), we were not allowed to wear sandals or low-cut shirts that showed off our tummies (these days even beer-bellies are seen when they should best be hidden). The dress codes were enforced.

I guess the schools are afraid of a litigious backlash: Some parent with an ax to grind will sue the district masquerading as a "freedom of speech" issue.

My two cents...

Helen I think all schools should wear uniforms, they are a lot neater and the kids look dresser

I went to Twinsburg Schools growing up and we didn't have the clothing issues that kids have now. I think the schools got lax on reinforcing the clothing guidelines. I don't see a problem with uniforms in schools. Kids may not like it simply because they would all be alike, clothing wise, and their personal style would be cramped.
But having uniforms certainly wouldn't be distracting to anyone.

i admire the fact that you think we should have school uniforms..but some of the stuff isnt true.

a lot of students now are getting into a habit where they think they can get away with what they wear.

but anyway, uniforms are not a good idea in my opinion because everyone will look alike. and uniforms wont make students focus more on education. you need to think of the pros and cons first before stating issues.
i was a student at twinsburg high school last year, and i dont wear clothes that make them look "painted" on me. i would never do that.

anyway, i dont think we should have school uniforms..bad idea in my opinion.