Many are left confused and annoyed as the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District announced Wednesday via Facebook that students doing distance learning must continue to follow their schools’ uniform policies.
The post yielded over 100 comments, questions, angry remarks and contemptuous memes.
“Uniforms are a part of the school district’s dress code,” said Dr. Mary Brown, the district’s superintendent.
“Although we understand all concerns during this pandemic, we still have to maintain an environment conducive to teaching and learning,” Brown said.
After the first offense, parents will receive a letter of reminder from the principal, which must be signed and returned the following day. For the second offense, the principal will call parents for a virtual conference. On the third offense, the student will receive one day of out-of-school suspension, meaning that he or she will not be allowed to attend virtual classes that day.
All students will have three days after enrolling to comply with the dress code, according to the reopening plan.
Kyianna Lopez, who has a son in the eighth grade at Greenwood Middle School and a daughter in kindergarten at Threadgill Primary School, said continuing this policy during the pandemic does not seem right.
“As a parent, I’m trying to remain positive so my kids can stay positive with all this change. As a person I think it’s ridiculous,” Lopez said. “I personally hate uniforms as it is. That’s an additional expense for parents, and not all parents can afford to be running out last minute to be buying uniform shirts.
“Some people are barely making ends meet as it is. I’m blessed to not be in that situation, but not everyone is as fortunate.”
She also said that this requirement is “irresponsible” and that this decision should have been made and announced much earlier.
“I myself and other parents asked about this specifically when they had the virtual meeting announcing how schools would reopen, and it was not a requirement,” Lopez said.
Cherece Samuel, whose daughter is in kindergarten at Leflore Elementary, said the rule “literally makes no sense.”
“With everything that is going on with COVID-19, we parents should not have to still purchase uniforms for the children to wear at home,” Samuel said.
She said uniforms should be reserved for when students return for the hybrid school schedule, which will combine in-person and online classes and is tentatively set for Sept. 8.
All students will start classes virtually on Aug. 11.
“I can understand when they go back in the school building, but I don’t think they should have to wear them at home,” Samuel said.
Synthia Hoover, who has a daughter in the third grade at Bankston Elementary, said having to go out and buy a school uniform defeats the whole purpose of continuing distance learning.
“I chose virtual as an option because I want to stay home and stay safe,” Hoover said. “We’re not going to stores; we’re not out shopping.”
According to the district’s reopening plan, the uniforms are meant to improve security and safety, promote positive discipline, decrease peer pressure, promote school pride and minimize economic and social barriers among students.
• Contact Adam Bakst at 581-7233 or abakst@gwcommonwealth.com. Twitter: @AdamBakst_GWCW
