Asking the clergy about school uniforms

Are school dress codes and uniforms a good idea?

The Rev. John Kepler, Calvary Baptist Church, Port Jefferson Station, and chairman of the school committee at the church's North Shore Christian School:

Here at North Shore Christian School, which goes through eighth grade, we do have students wear uniforms.

There are times in schools when what you're wearing affects your acceptance within your peer group. With school uniforms, you're more free to make friends based on what you have in common, not by what you have in your closet. Or because of how much money your parents make.

School uniforms are beneficial to the students, their families, the teachers and school officials. It is important to remember that the classroom is a learning environment. How you dress is part of that environment.

As a Christian, I affirm that Scripture presents two dress requirements: modesty and gender-appropriateness. These standards should apply to all areas of public life, including school classrooms.

From a social and financial perspective, dress codes can help lessen the economic distinctions often emphasized with brand names and fads. Remember the fad of expensive sneakers? Dress codes tend to lessen those influences. Furthermore, they provide a standard to help protect students from profane, suggestive or prejudicial messages and influences on clothing.

Mohammed Saleh, chairman of the board of directors, Long Island Muslim Society, East Meadow:

Contrary to what people may think, school uniforms don't reduce creative expression or individuality in children. And wearing a uniform does have its benefits. If everyone is wearing a uniform, then you don't feel the need to compete with the latest fashions. And someone without the means for all those clothes doesn't feel deprived.

Uniforms also give that sense of unity that allows students to focus on academic excellence. We live in a materialistic world, and kids can be too hypnotized by brand names and the latest fashion. This can encourage one becoming materialistic.

Uniforms also can provide a sense of personal and school discipline that you don't always have without a dress code.

The Rev. Thomas Gortman, St. Mary's AME Zion Church, Medford:

Yes, because it brings a sense of unity to the school. With uniforms, kids aren't stimulated by what they wear but by what they're putting in their minds. Without uniforms, there can be this competitive dressing of who you're wearing or what you're wearing.

Students should be focused on what they're learning and where they're going after they graduate. Also, kids should be learning about each other instead of about what they're wearing. Uniforms also create a sense of camaraderie. Their clothes are saying. "We're on the same team" and "have the same objective," which is to "get the most out of our education."

I think it is not about individuality in what you wear if you're all wearing the same designer clothes and celebrity shoes. You can still be an individual, even if you dress the same way. When everyone wears the same baseball uniform, it doesn't take the individuality away. Also, some people can't afford all that clothing. And if you're attempting to keep up with those who have more expensive clothing, you're losing your individuality in the way you dress.

Rabbi Stephen Dresner, Franklin Square Jewish Center, Franklin Square:

I think school uniforms are a very good idea. When children all look the same in how they dress, there is equality. And, they don't lose their individuality. For example, when they sit in the classroom and all learn the same thing, they don't lose their individuality.

And I'm sure that once the children get used to wearing uniforms, it wouldn't be a big deal to them. I think children today are great. They develop their individuality by mixing together, by learning from each other. That's how their personality develops, not by what they wear.

Children tend to have big eyes. When they see someone else with something, then they want that something. We want to keep them concentrating on school. Without focusing on what they're wearing or, more likely, what the other person is wearing, they can better focus on what they're learning.