Uniformity

This morning I went to an open house at the parochial school where we might send the boys next year. I say "might," but I mean "will," unless for some reason they are not accepted. As Tab says, it's not like we have a Plan B.

There were perhaps a dozen other parents in attendance who are planning to send their children to kindergarten there. After a brief introduction by the monsignor and the school's principal, we were taken on a tour of the school by one of the teachers.

We started with the two kindergarten rooms. I was surprised to see that all of the children there were wearing uniforms. The uniforms were nice enough--pale yellow shirts and subdued plaid pants for the boys and jumpers for the girls--but, still...uniforms. I should have remembered that Catholic school=uniforms, but I guess I'd managed to block it out, along with much of my own Catholic school experience. Even so, I'm pretty sure we didn't have to wear uniforms in kindergarten in those days.

In talking it over with Tab later, I mused, "I wonder what was the original purpose of putting kids in uniforms?"

"So that there will be no clothes rivalry and one-upmanship," he answered.

"No, that's the rationale that is used now, especially by those public school districts that adopt a policy of required uniforms or strict dress codes."

"I think it's a good idea," Tab said.

"I guess so. I just wonder what was the original reason for uniforms. To quash every less vestige of originality and individualism in the students?"

Can you tell I'm deeply conflicted here?

Still, Tab's right: we don't have any other choice. The city schools are not an option.

Despite my reservations, I liked the school. The children we saw seemed happy and busy. The rooms were bright, airy, and painted a cheerful yellow. Kids' artwork adorned the walls, and there were plenty of age-appropriate storybooks and several computers in each classroom.

One of the questions I asked was whether Stephen and Matthew would be allowed to stay together or whether the school had a policy of separating twins. I was told that the choice was left up to the parents, which pleased me. Since kindergarten will be the twins' first experience with any kind of school, I think they should be together at least for one year.

After the tour I sat and filled out three registration forms for the boys and wrote a check for $150 for the registration fee--$50 each, non-refundable.

I had asked about openings for second grade and was told that there would probably be a few but that they would not know for several weeks. Since we are applying on the first day, the chances are good that Daniel will get in, however.

Like all the children entering kindergarten, the twins will have to be evaluated in April for their readiness for school. These evaluations are conducted by several different teachers, in the absence of the parent. I hope Matthew can cope with it. He's very shy around people he doesn't know.

It's going to be a big change for Daniel. He'll be going from a class of three first-graders (co-taught with six kindergarteners) to a second-grade class of twenty to twenty-five students. He'll have to adapt to a more rigid schedule, too. Tab doesn't think Daniel will have a problem with it. I hope he's right.

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