Poverty, uniforms and Christmas clothes

Last week our local Catholic School Board passed a motion to bring a standardized dress code (read: uniforms) to all elementary schools, beginning next September. The Policy wording states that their goal is to create a 'unified sense of belonging for all students' and 'equalize all students regardless of a family's socio-economic background.'

I understand the appeal, I went to a high school with uniforms and loved them. I didn't have to consider what I what to wear on any given morning, nor did I worry about whether it had the right label on it or not. Unfortunately, this only counted for tops and bottoms - shoes were still an important designation of 'coolness' as was jewellry, coats, backpacks and the like. Uniforms didn't exactly create a unified school - there were still jocks, geeks and mean girls. student council types, prefects, drama kids and the football team. Regardless of what went on your body, you were judged based on the classes you frequented, the friends you hung out with and whether or not you skipped on 'skip day.' Oh, the pressure.

Fast forward and here I am, a 30-year old parent with two lovely kiddos (and a third on the way). I very much value the Catholic school system as I love that each day my son (in afternoons JK) learns not only his ABCS, but about the role of faith in his every day life. He has made the transition to student with relative ease; making friends, learning without disrupting others and even (gasp) completing homework on occasion.

Ironically, my son is attending the same school as I did many years ago. This school is set in a small corner of a very tight-knit community, touting many blue collar workers and a large variety of families. We consider ourselves 'average', whatever that means. We are not wealthy, but we are able to put food on the table and send our children to swimming lesssons. We are not hung up on brands, however I do prefer to purchase quality children's clothing and shoes. I'll even admit I shop mostly in the USA, as the cost of orthopaedic shoes is less than half the cost as in our neck of the woods. I can easily outfit my children for $10-15 per day, and quality clothes that wash and wear well are only replaced when they no longer fit or are appropriate for the ever-changing seasons.

So why the beef with uniforms? Good question.

Part of me is concerned about the ongoing cost of regulated clothing. I appreciate that the School Board revised the policy to state that certain colours and styles are required, not one brand of embroidered top and bottom. Yet, can I seriously outfit my children at my self-imposed price point, all season long? Inevitably they grow, more often at the most inconvenient times. How often and how many of each item will be required?

I'm also worried about my son's reaction to the news that his favourite fire truck shirts and shoes are no longer welcome at school. Most parents rely on the ability to convince a child it's time to get dressed because there's a flashy (insert fun character here) shirt at hand if they listen the first time and get dressed. How do I explain that his teachers are allowed to wear whatever colour of tops and bottoms they'd like to, while he must sport navy or white tops and navy bottoms regardless of what strikes his fancy that morning. I can't even imagine what his little sister is going to do without the ability to wear pink daily.

Mostly I worry that uniforms are just an excuse, another opportunity to 'mask' the poverty that exists in our school system, in every system. I honestly don't remember the clothes my classmates wore in elementary school, however I do remember the student with elastic bands holding his shoes together, as well as the classmate who smelled so bad no-one would sit near him. This is the side of poverty that uniforms simply cannot unify.

I distinctly remember a child, in my grade three class, who ran around for weeks before Christmas shouting "Christmas clothes! Christmas clothes!" whenever we spoke about the holidays and our pending school Christmas concert. We jeered him I'm sad to say, as he seemed to sing-song it wherever he went. For YEARS this was a commonly used joke in my class, as eventually that student moved away. I'm sure I even taught my brother the sing-song at some point.

What I realize now, as an adult, is that this child only received new clothes at Christmas. But once a year. He was so excited for his 'Christmas Clothes!' because he lived in such poverty that new clothes were out of the question. My heart sinks now when I think of this child, what a life he must have led.

Would uniforms have made his life better or worse? I don't know the answer to that but I do know that if my teachers and perhaps even my parents had really listened and realized the underlying issue in this little school yard joke - we, at age 8, did not understand what poverty was - then perhaps this child would have celebrated without judgement or jeering from his peers.

Poverty exists in our own school, our community and beyond. We need to teach our children what it looks and feels like in order to support their acceptance of others less fortunate than ourselves.

Uniforms or not, my children will understand that while they cannot always change the cycle of poverty, they will be required to support their peers, regardless of whether or not they have new clothes at Christmas time.

If we all did just did a little...

This week I was a bit of a nut-case... just ask my husband.

The second annual Niagara Nutrition Partners Breakfast Gala was on Thursday, an event that drew over 230 guests, nine high school culinary programs and raised over $17,000 and counting.

Amazing right. I agree.

In my former position at PenFinancial, community relations was part of my job, hence the reason I initially got involved. It was an easy fit for me as I love what they do for over 13,000 children daily around Niagara. The government funds a measly 15% of any student nutrition program (breakfast, snack, lunch) therefore it's up to NNP and the schools themselves to apply for grants and fundraise the remaining dollars. No small task given there's almost 150 Niagara schools alone running programs.

My skill set in marketing, communications, PR and event planning were useful in this setting, and I was happy to oblige. A problem arose, however, once I left the Credit Union to be home with my kiddies. My time was stretched to the max, with less opportunity (and still other commitments) to fill it with. I barely made it out alive this week, and while I am uber proud of our event, I've been left with a few thoughts to mull around this long weekend.

First, how lucky was I to have a (former) employer who believed in me and my community enough to let me spend some of my volunteer hours 'on the clock'? I never wished or desired for payment, for me it was about finding the time to get it all in. Completing this project from home was one of the most difficult tests of my time management skills to date. I wish more Niagara organizations allowed their employees to lend their time, skill and expertise to the hundreds of local not-for-profits in need.

Secondly, I have a freakin' amazing husband. The poor guy barely saw me the last two weeks, as I ran from meeting to meeting in the evening, on the phone with other Committee members and ultimately sat at my PC writing agendas, scripts, press releases and answered emails. He endured many solo bedtimes listening to my kids cry 'mama', washed many a dish more than usual and waited nearly three weeks to see the Avengers because I needed to be out of the house. His first words to me after my event ended yesterday were, 'Welcome Back.' Enough said.

Finally, what will it take to get more people involved? I am a firm and very big advocate for volunteerism, and I believe that every single person has the ability to give a little of their time.

Maybe your an esthetician. Did you know that Hospice Niagara looks for people just like you to give an hour or two of you time to their end of life patients at day hospice?

Maybe you love to walk your dog! Why not volunteer once a week at the Humane Society to give a pooch some love?

Maybe you love to drive! Meals on Wheels delivers food daily to people who can't otherwise get out for food or cook. I'm guessing this is a few hours a month commitment.

Great singer? Most seniors homes wish for entertainers to walk to their doors and agree to sing for an hour or two once a month.

Accountant or financial planner? Not for profit boards are begging for your expertise and opinion.

The list goes on and on. Everyone has something to give - their skills, expertise, passion or maybe even just their ear to listen.

And if we all did just a little... than the little wouldn't have to do alot.

Consider volunteering. Today.