Parents petitioning to end the uniform policy in Somerset County
SOMERSET COUNTY, Md – The 2022 school year is right around the corner and some parents in Crisfield want to see an end to the uniform policy.
Parents aren’t happy. They tell 47 ABC that their kids are being bullied when their uniforms don’t fit. Also, there is an issue of cost when most of these families are below the poverty line.
“The issue is we’re a poverty-stricken county, we’re the second poorest county in the state of Maryland with a poverty rate of 117 percent,” says parent Natasha Albrecht.
Natasha Albrecht is a frustrated parent petitioning to end school uniforms in Somerset County.
the school district says they are keeping the policy for the upcoming school district because it does offer some benefits.
“It minimizes distractions and allows students to focus on the learning environment but another really important reason is school safety…school uniforms minimize bullying and rivalry between students of different socioeconomic status,” says Victoria Miele, Public Relations Specialist for Somerset County Public Schools.
Albrecht, who has a child in elementary school, says that’s, not the case –
“If you talk to middle and elementary school students – they are still being bullied uniforms because they don’t fit right,” says parent Natasha Albrecht.
Also in extreme cases some parents say a school of kids wearing the same outfit may not be safe.
“If a child comes up missing and you have to describe your child, you’re getting ready to describe half of the kids in the county when you say a brown-haired little girl with a light blue shirt and kakis pants or the blonde-haired little boy eyes in navy blue pants and white shirt – now they’re looking for the same kid in half the county,” says parent Natasha Albrecht.
But the sizing is also an issue parents have with the uniform policy –
“It’s hard to find clothing to fit them, my daughter can only fit the jegging style pants she can go to school in. the school doesn’t allow her to wear those and she can’t fit anything else its the way her body is shaped doesn’t allow her to find clothing in her size,” says parent Christina Miles.
Parent Christina Miles says the policy needs to change.
“Either lift it or make it optional for parents to keep it or let your children wear it within a certain guideline of clothing,” says parent Christina Miles.
Parent Natasha Albrecht has created a petition in Somerset County. To be a part of the petition and remain anonymous email end.uniform.attire.policy@gmail.com. She has also submitted an application to speak at the next school board meeting, which is set to take place on August 16th.
The school district says if you need assistance with uniforms you can talk to your school’s guidance counselor. You can view the current uniform policy here.
