Letter: August 29, 2009

I am writing this because I have a son who is 5 years old and in kindergarten at Woodson School.

I opted out of making my son wear uniforms for the following reasons: 1. It is against my son's constitutional rights; 2. He is in kindergarten and he is certainly not gang affiliated nor is any other 5 or 6 year old that I know; 3. They are not being provided; 4. How long do you think it would take for a 5-year-old boy to ruin a pair of kakis or dress pants (grass stains, rips, tears, etc.); 5. I am also disappointed in the fact that the schools gave the parents the false impression that their children have to wear them. They did not tell us that all we had to do was fill out a piece of paper to opt out; 6. I went and priced five of the uniforms for my son, and it cost $150 for five sets.

What my son is wearing to school is mostly clothing he already had except for $30 for a pair of shoes, transformer shirt and shorts, socks and underwear.

So, as far as them saying that the uniforms are cost effective they aren't because anything a 5 year old is wearing besides jeans is going to be ruined quickly. Also, my son is going to school for an education not to become a drill team participant (gold and purple).

Hopefully this will make parents aware that they are not actually required to go by the dress code and uniform unless it's for safety (i.e.- closed shoes), decency (no midriff) or things that are common sense.

Kristy Tapp

Corning