If public schools in Pennsylvania were to implement a school uniform requirement, a number of debates would erupt with pros and cons, most likely with parents and students on opposite sides.

When my children were young, I purchased their clothes and shoes at outlets and other discount stores. Those bargains helped an already strained budget which suffered even more at back-to-school time.

Shopping for back-to-school clothes and shoes can cost $500 or more depending on the number of children in the home.

Sometime in middle school, both of my boys told me my shopping sources were no longer acceptable and they had to have the name brands or they would be teased or bullied.

We all know how cruel kids can be.

I heard the stories of the students who had the "wrong" sneakers or a "juvenile" backpack and how they were picked on.

I never wanted my children to bear the brunt of my frugality so I went ahead, to a certain degree, and purchased the name-brand clothing and shoes.

If you are a parent, you will also understand the stress of school day mornings.

On any given day, the kids could not find their other sneaker; there was a missing belt; the shirt with the stripes was missing; and the favorite pair of jeans was dirty.

All these disasters occurred while I was trying to get ready for work, take care of the dog and cat, pack the lunches and hopefully meet the two school buses on time.

My sister, who has three girls, always said girls were worse than boys in this respect.

For these reasons, I believe parents would not be opposed to having their children wear uniforms to school.

What is wrong with a pair of khaki pants and a white, collared shirt for guys and similar clothing for girls?

Clothing like this would certainly save me money and would be much less than the current wardrobe of "must haves" each year.

In addition, can you imagine what my mornings would be like with my son just having to find a pair of pants and collared shirt?

I might have extra time for a hot cup of coffee.

Students in need would not appear to be "lacking" because they would have the same clothing as everyone else. I'm sure if they could not afford the clothing, provisions could be made for assistance.

Lastly, I think uniforms would encourage students to get down to the business of learning, rather than concentrating on clothing worn by themselves or others.

Now, before every student I know floods my email with letters of distress, I understand their individuality might be hindered and we would be missing the opportunity to teach our children how to blend into a variety of situations and environments.

I have seen firsthand some of the clothing on the racks for school-age children and am glad schools currently have appropriate dress codes in place to prevent some of those outfits from showing up in the schools at all.

We know the clothing is purchased, or it would not be in the stores. I'm just wondering where the outfits are worn.

Do I think bullying would be decreased if the students wore uniforms? Absolutely.

The Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute issued a paper on dress codes and uniforms which notes "in 1996, under the direction of President Clinton, the Department of Education published and distributed a manual of school uniforms to all 16,000 school districts in the United States.

"Benefits to dress codes and/or uniforms included decreasing violence and theft, preventing gang members from wearing gang clothing at school, instilling student discipline, helping to resist peer pressure, helping students concentrate on academics and aiding in the recognition of intruders."

CEPI cites "the Philadelphia Board of Education became the first large city board to require all students in public schools to wear uniforms May 8, 2000."

The American Civil Liberties Union, in this same article by CEPI, argues there are no studies to support the benefits of school uniforms.

This is the first year the Allentown School District has implemented school uniforms. I believe they will need to get a year under their belt before they can say if the program was a success on any or multiple levels.

Until then, dress as you like students, within the guidelines, and go do your homework.

We'll go wash the favorite pair of jeans, locate the belt, pack the lunches, feed the dog and cat and make sure you make the bus in the morning.

I'll grab my coffee on the way to work.

Debbie

Galbraith

editor

East Penn Press

Salisbury Press