Every morning, I put on an ill-fitting polo shirt and the choice of khaki pants or jeans. Every morning, I feel like I am being overly policed on the clothes I wear. Schools are supposed to be places that make us want to be creative and individual, yet there is a very strict uniform dress code that contradicts what a school is meant to be. 

As teens, we're at an awkward stage of our lives where we are no longer small children, but not exactly adults just yet. This is the time we are told is to find ourselves. I am not the only one who feels this way many students across the district feel exactly like this as well.

Uniform policies can create an unnecessary financial strain on families. A study done by Nuffield Foundation/University of NY found that for low-income families, the cost of school uniforms was "unmanageable" and "another turn of the financial screw," and cause trade-offs like cutting back on food, which is especially dangerous now as food stamps have been cut off for the month of November, and many families of students who attend my school rely on them. Or cutting back on heating, which is not desirable as winter is coming, and while we're in Florida, temperatures still get chilly. In Osceola County, 12.5% of the population lives below the poverty line. That doesn't count the students/families that are grazing close to it, or single-parent homes who are already stretched thin.

More important: Researchers concluded that there were no improvements in student academic performance or behavior with uniform policies, matter of fact students who wore uniforms reported feeling less sense of belonging at school. Source: Ansari, A., Shepard, M. & Gottfried, M. A. (2021) conclusion: School uniforms do not improve child behavior.

Every morning, bright and early at 6:45AM (when my bus makes it to school), we are barked at by administrators for not wearing a polo shirt or "appropriate pants" (jeans or khakis). Then, when slightly out of dress code, met with in school suspension, and a 30-minute trip to the disciplinary office which takes away from instructional time. 

This is not me saying we need 0 dress code, as that is risky and can cause chaos. I am saying that polo shirts, khaki pants or jeans should not be required, since it causes financial strain (especially in a difficult time where food stamps have been cut off) and students should be allowed to wear clothing that also lets them express who they are (within reason) because otherwise we feel like we've lost who we are. 

Instead of non-disruptive clothing, the Osceola County school district needs to focus on attendance, drug/tobacco problems, and teachers being mistreated during class time, which I see happen often.

The high school I attend has recently been forced into contact with Channel 9 News and Fox 35 news because of their closing of every school restroom (except one) which was against the law. I was the one who initiated this by submitting a tip, and I am not afraid to work with them again, as I have a fair argument that is difficult to dispute. I personally accept any consequence that comes with this.

By signing this petition, you support the editing of the Osceola County School District's strict high school dress code to prioritize individuality, and financial relief for families, especially in a time of need. We are the future of this nation.