You wake up on Friday morning and notice that you don’t have any clean uniform shirts. You don’t want to miss school so you think to yourself, “I’ll just wear my floral tank top with a cardigan.”

   You get to school in the morning, and half way through first block, the principal walks in. As you shift left and right in your seat, he notices you and sends you to CSI for the rest of the day, all because you decided not to wear your uniform.

Why do we even have to wear uniforms? What’s the purpose? Well, it’s simple. Blame your parents. According to the MDCPS’s uniform policy, “At least 50% plus one of the parents in that school who vote, must vote in favor of establishing a mandatory uniform policy.” This means that a majority of parents back in 2002 voted for mandatory school uniforms.

Students see uniforms as boring and plain, but they’ve been established for our safety. Both principal Mr. Valdes and assistant principal Ms. Meikeljohn agree that uniforms are necessary to distinguish the people in the building as those who are and are not supposed to be in our school.

And that’s both the blessing and the curse of uniforms. Sewing and culinary teacher Ms. Belony says, “They help to identify students as a whole rather than as individuals.”

Indeed, some students say wearing a uniform shrinks their individuality. “You’re not able to express yourself through vibrant or opaque colors that describe your personality,” said sophomore Elizabeth Rivas.

Freshman Adrianna Bonilla said, “Uniforms suppress originality.”

Rachel Salmeron, a sophomore, complains that we basically wear the same thing daily.

In spite of uniforms’ limits, some students find creative ways to express themselves without breaking the dress code. Junior Maria Queliz suggests that students wear something that best represents their style and personality, such as a cardigan of preferred color.

Johnathon Sosa, a sophomore, said, “I try to wear shoes that best represent my style.”

Sophomore Tre Thompson simply cuffs his jeans to show his personality.

Getting up at 5 a.m. is what many high school students complain about, and for this reason, surprisingly, some of them are actually thankful for the uniform policy. “Students don’t have to spend so much time in the morning or night before worrying about what to wear to school,” said sophomore Calypso Ponce. She also said that uniforms make our school look organized.

Senior Larry Bravo added that we show our school spirit when we wear our uniforms.

The uniform policy here at Miami High offers students many options. They can wear either a navy, gold, or white polo. Club shirts and jerseys along with Miami High t-shirts are also acceptable. As for bottoms, students can wear pants or shorts that are navy or khaki or jeans that are blue or black.

In addition, the Miami High dress code allows students to wear things that other schools prohibit. For example, at Booker T. Washington Senior High School, students are not allowed to wear jeans or shorts. Students who attend Miami Jackson Senior High can only wear jeans on Fridays, but they have to pay a dollar.

Miami High students realize that uniforms are something they’ll have to deal with until they graduate; however they would like to see a few changes made to the policy. Sophomore Calypso Ponce said, “I would let joggers or sweatpants be allowed since they’re comfortable and students would feel more relaxed to learn.”

A female junior who wishes to remain anonymous objects to the school’s ban on ripped jeans. She doesn’t think that it’s fair for the cheerleaders, majorettes, and Stingerretes to be able to wear short skirts that expose most of their skin but she can’t wear ripped jeans that only show the skin on her knees.

Source: Survey from National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

http://www.naesp.org/national-survey-school-leaders-reveals-2013-school-uniform-trends