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SP discussing uniforms in elementaries

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
By SHANNEN HAYES, Staff Writer

GREENCASTLE -- South Putnam School Board is seeking feedback from parents about uniforms for elementary students.

A policy requiring uniforms for all elementary students is just an idea board members are discussing for next school year. Parents are encouraged to call the principal at their child's school and give their thoughts on the policy.

The following is a list of South Putnam elementary schools, phone numbers and principals:

* Central Elementary -- Debbie Steffy, 653-6175

* Fillmore Elementary -- Brad Hayes, 246-6136

* Reelsville Elementary -- Teresa Vapor, 672-4248

During the regular school board meeting Monday, board members voted to purchase a boiler and lighting in the gym at the high school. The 95 to 98 percent energy-efficient boiler will cost $42,000, which includes a $5,000 credit from Vectren.

"We will realize a good bit of savings with the new boiler," said Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt.

The board voted to cap the cost of new lighting at $15,000. Both the boiler and lighting will be purchased with leftover construction funds.

In other business:

* Technology director Steve Ricketts told board members the new computers came in under budget. Last month, the board approved the purchase of computers for staff including teachers, media center at SPHS and administration building at a cost not to exceed $80,000.

* A memorandum of understanding with Putnam County Emergency Management agency was unanimously passed. Bernhardt said the memorandum states the corporation's buses and drivers could be utilized in case of a countywide emergency.

* In personnel, Paul Scott resigned as custodian at SPHS; Shirley Knauer was hired as part-time custodian at Central. The report was passed.

* Students have less than a week before Christmas break, which begins Dec. 21. Students will return for second semester Jan. 5 with teachers returning Jan. 4 for records day.

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  • In my opinion: ALL schools should go to uniforms!

    -- Posted by amkedu on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 1:33 AM

  • Great idea, practical, and would rid many dress code decisions and relieve any wasted thought and energy on what to wear.

    On the other hand, it would spark all the crybabies who think that school is a venue to express themselves with clothing to feel violated.

    Imagine, uniforms at public schools in Putnam County. This could start a social breakdown between classes. How would we know who likes Hannah Montana and who doesn't? With no designer logos to display, how would we know who spends the most on their pants and sweatshirts?

    What on earth are the kids going to be thinking about, math? History? Science? I feel sorry for all those kids.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 6:55 AM

  • Would the teachers be required to where uniforms as well, The school where my kids go is like going to Dancers at times(It is a putnam county school)Some of the teachers expose way to much up top and skirts way to high especially when they climb stairs.

    It's only fair that they have uniforms also.

    As far as kids go I think it is a grat idea.

    -- Posted by c1991 on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 8:12 AM

  • I don't think the distraction is in Elementary School. Middle and High School are the ones who need uniforms.

    -- Posted by Nick | Nack on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 9:28 AM

  • UGH! More money coming out, than coming in. As rough as young boys are on pants, those things will have to be bought new every other month. For low income parents, who struggle the way it is, I'm sure this wouldn't be good news for them. Such is life, more bills, less money.

    -- Posted by voiceofreason2 on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 9:53 AM

  • ALL schools should go to uniforms!! I think it is a great idea! Go SOUTH PUTNAM!!!!! Smart idea finally!!!

    -- Posted by coltsfan25 on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 10:15 AM

  • How about creating and enforcing a dress code before jumping to school uniforms? If one even exists, it has not been communicated to parents.

    South Putnam has waaaaayyyy too many outstanding issues for the school board to be wasting one stinking breath on this drivel. Grow some backbones, clean up the pile of incompetent staff at all levels, get rid of the draconian and secretive governance, and then maybe we can start to talk about trivial stuff.

    Enrollment numbers have been dropping and they will continue to do so until the house is cleaned.

    -- Posted by Balding Eagle on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 12:50 PM

  • I totally agree Balding Eagle...

    & I don't like the thought of uniforms!!

    I will be calling Mrs Steffy right now.

    -- Posted by luv2bmom2001 on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 1:43 PM

  • COME ON!! School uniforms? Really? With everything else? I say start with the teachers so that may set an example. You think the teachers union will go for that? Well, the parent union won't either! NEVER!!!!

    -- Posted by Hairy Tiger on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 1:57 PM

  • I will be calling Mrs. Steffey right now and saying YES YES YES!!!! What is so wrong with having uniforms? You have to buy clothes for your kids now anyways!!!!!

    -- Posted by coltsfan25 on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 1:59 PM

  • COME ON!! School uniforms? Really? With everything else? I say start with the teachers so that may set an example. You think the teachers union will go for that? Well, the parent union won't either! NEVER!!!!

    -- Posted by Hairy Tiger on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 2:13 PM

  • I agree with the Eagles, there is much more to worry about than uniforms. The board needs to enforce the dress codes and worry about what their principals & teachers are doing/not doing!

    -- Posted by didisaythat? on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 2:38 PM

  • C'MON FOLKS! AT LEAST PEOPLE CAN BUY THEIR CLOTHES FOR THEIR KIDS AT GOOD WILL, IF THEY ARE HAVING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, UNIFORMS FOR SOUTH PUTNAM.....JUST INFORCE A DRESS CODE, SEEMS TO ME THEY WANT UNIFORMS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO PUT ANY THOUGHT TO IT.... WAKE UP SOUTH PUTNAM, WE ARE STILL A COUNTRY COMMUNITY LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY. I DON'T THINK THE FARM BOYS AND GIRLS WILL WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR BOOTS!!! TAKE CARE OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS. POPULAR AND UNPOPULAR STUDENTS IS THE WAY IT HAS BEEN---THAT'S WHAT HELPS BUILD CHARACTER FOR OUR CHILDREN (ALL OF THEM)

    -- Posted by FEDUP! on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 4:45 PM

  • Hairy Eagle I think you are right!

    There is a dress code in All schools, Enforce the DRESS CODE! It's time for the staff Start doing their Jobs. Tax payers pay you. Quit blaming the parents , start taking responsibility in the school.

    -- Posted by Sand mann on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 4:56 PM

  • Fedup TAKE CARE OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS. POPULAR AND UNPOPULAR STUDENTS IS THE WAY IT HAS BEEN---THAT'S WHAT HELPS BUILD CHARACTER FOR OUR CHILDREN (ALL OF THEM Lets ask these kids or even adults how they feel about this!!!!

    UNIFORMS UNIFORMS!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go

    -- Posted by coltsfan25 on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 8:11 PM

  • Uniforms are easy for both parents and kids. They don't go out of style and can be easily passed down from one child to another. They also save time and hassle in the mornings since you don't have the worry or disagreements over "what to wear". However, teachers and administrators will still have plenty to do since many students will not come to school in the required uniform. If this passes, brace yourself for many calls home because Johnny or Susie does not have the right belt, shoes, sweater, etc. etc. Can you tell I have experienced this already? Uniforms don't solve dress code issues. They create uniform compliance issues instead. Uniforms do not level the playing field between social classes. Not all white (or any other color) shirts and shoes are created equally... some are clearly more expensive looking. And, kids are quick to "style" their uniforms to express their individuality with accessories in hair, purses, coats, etc.

    -- Posted by sneakers on Wed, Dec 16, 2009, at 9:56 PM

  • WOW! School uniforms are a great idea. A lot of problems are solved by going to that standard. But why just the elementary students? I would just go "whole hog" and require it of all students. Why go through the disgruntlement (I made that one up) more than once? Just do it and be done with it!

    I do agree with statements by others regarding dress for school staff though. Professional dress should be required, men with ties and ladies dresses, skirts, and pant suits. Old fashioned? Me? Probably. But I do believe profession dress inspires students to show better behavior. Something to think about.

    Best of Luck.

    -- Posted by cvilleguy on Thu, Dec 17, 2009, at 8:29 AM

  • All of you that are for the school uniforms, did you have to wear them when you went to school? I did for awhile when I was in the 4th or 5th grade and kids know if you are wearing hand me down or for lack of a better term "goodwill clothes". School uniforms will never make a child equal to the other children. The "Cheaper" argument has never been proven, but the logic is dress pants that have to be replaced every few months or jeans that you out grow, and guess what, that "Hannah Montana" jump suit still has to be bought because the kids are not going to be wearing the school uniforms after school. School uniforms and regular clothes; get ready to double up on your purchases. That is a great cost saving? How many of you would like to wear a uniform every day? Contact your local military recruiter if you do. If you want your child to wear uniforms, send them to a military academe or a private school but leave the public schools alone.

    -- Posted by bradsdad on Thu, Dec 17, 2009, at 4:11 PM

  • Our children are supposed to have better than we did. with uniforms we are taking expression away from them. yes it might be easier for us parents, but parenting isn't easy.we as parents are teaching our kids to keep up with the jones, not our kids. lead by example .

    -- Posted by Sand mann on Fri, Dec 18, 2009, at 10:33 PM

  • Once again south putnam is on the forefront of horrible ideas, yeah south putnam lets focus on clothing and superficial things that are irrelevant to your faulty school system! Maybe dressing differently will help bring up your crappy test scores!

    -- Posted by melk on Wed, Dec 23, 2009, at 12:51 PM
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