Question for any elementary school teachers out there?

Question

Does the way a child comes to school dressed have any impact on the way that they're treated at school?

Please feel free to be brutally honest, since we're all annonymous and all;)

Thanks,

stay at home mommy to a 3, 5, and 7 year old, all of whom are starting public school this fall

Answer 1

I teach at a uniform school. The office is very strict about students wearing the proper uniform. They don't really let anything slide. Personally, I don't mind one way or the other if students' shirts are tucked in or not or if they are wearing jeans or the correct uniform.

There are some students whose parents cannot afford to laundry as often as needed. I don't pass judgment on them. Instead, I offer to wash uniforms at home if they need it. Unfortunately, there are teachers who pass judgment on the parents and sometimes on the students. I wish they didn't. :(

Edit: I forgot to mention that I work at an inner-city school. We are the poorest school in our school district.

Answer 2

In elementary school, since kids are growing so fast, the important thing is that they are properly dressed and clean every day.  My school is a public school and we do not have uniforms, so when I say properly dressed, I mean wearing pants in the winter (I have so many kids who come to school in shorts when there is snow on the ground!) wearing shoes and socks, not flip-flops, etc.  

I have a few students every year that come in looking like they just rolled out of bed.  I do address this with their parents at the first conference we have right when school starts, so I can make sure there are no issues and to stress the importance of being to school on time.  Most of the time, it has to do with a stubborn third grader not letting mom or dad brush their hair!  

I personally have a hard time when kids come in looking disheveled.  It makes my heart worry that their home is disheveled as well, and I have a soft spot for them.  Sometimes I am a little more patient with them.  Academically and socially, attire does not influence my treatment.  

I had one little boy this past year who always came to school without socks, and often wearing the same clothes.  When I met his parents it explained a lot.  Mom is very controlling and bossy and treats her kids like her friends.  Hence the reason he got to wear whatever he wanted, appropriate or not, to school.  Another little girl NEVER brushed her hair.  Even on school picture day.  I knew the family and knew they were going through a messy divorce, so I always took a little extra time with her each day to check in and see how she's doing while still respecting that school is her "normal" place where her family isn't going crazy.

I guess what I'm leading to is that the way children dress is a slight insight to what might be going on at home.  Often I'll try and meet the parents and see if they reflect any insight.  Otherwise, I treat each child as special, just like they are, whether they are dressed in high fashion or sweats.

Answer 3

YES. I switched careers a few yrs ago to teaching and have found teachers and others on campus look at the kids and pass judgement on them. They look at their hair, their clothing, backpack choices, etc, etc.

Answer 4

I think the most important thing is that their clothes are clean and not ripped. Garage sales and thrift stores are great since kids grow out of clothes so fast.

Middle school is where the kids start getting mean.

Answer 5

In elementary school as long as they are clean and their clothes are clean and look decent they will be fine.  It starts in about 5th grade.  Especially with girls.  They start looking at who is wearing what, who is carrying what backpack, etc.  Middle School is even worse for that kind of stuff.