Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 17 August 2000 — Page 2

The Muncie Times, August 17, 2000, page 2

EDITORIAL

As a new school year is about to get under way, we need to revisit this near-end of summer ritual. By now, parents are busy spending millions of dollars on clothes for their children to wear in the new school year. Store managers and other personnel are, literally, drooling over how much they will make this year. Millions more will be spent on school supplies, such as books, paper, other stationery, calculators, glue, clip boards, correction fluid, erasers, computers and

other school-related supplices and equipment. We think that, at the beginning of this new academic year, it is a good idea to think once again about school uniforms and how they may be factored into the equation of how much it is costing parents, regardless of economic cirumstances, to afford to send their children to school. One equitable solution to the high cost of schooling is adopting school uniforms. There are those who cringe at the

idea of requiring our students, regardless of background or economic wealth, to dress alike. A child’s clothes do not necessarily promote learning. But they can inhibit it. In a school setting where many of the children wear designer clothing, those whose parents cannot afford to buy them that kind of attire will feel left out and excluded. Schools were never meant to be opportunities for fashion statements. Instead, they were

supposed to be centers of learning. That means that children from all kinds of backgrounds, economic, racial, cultural and social classes should expect that—within the classroom setting—they can be expected to be treated fairly, honestly and equitably. School uniforms are making a comeback across the country. -From Long Beach, Calif., to to Philadelphia, Pa., and Baltimore, Md., and in many other places inbetween, school dis-stricts

have been gravitating toward school uniforms. It’s time for Muncie to take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of school uniforms. Frankly, we can see a lot of advantages from the adoption of a mandatory school uniforms. We can also see few disadvantages. We feel it is time for the Muncie Schools to take a bold and innovative step in this direction.

LETT ER POLICY

The Muncie Times accepts and publishes “Letters to the Editor" under the following conditions: ■ The letter must indicate the writer’s name, address and phone number where the writer can be reached during the day. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. ■ If the writer wishes the letter to be published under a pseudonym, that wish will be

honored. However, the writer’s full particulars must be included in the letter, along with the suggested psedonym. * Letters must be brief, preferably no more than 300 words long and should, if possible, be typed and doublespaced. Hand-written letters will also be accepted. ■ The editor reserves the right to edit all letters for brevity,

accuracy, taste, grammar and libel. ■ All correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. ■ Unsolicited manuscripts will only be returned if the writer includes a self-addressed, stamped envelope with correct postage.

MUNCIE TIMES STAFF

Publisher Bea Moten-Foster Editor ...John T. Lambkun Advertising Bea Moten-Foster and Richard Casey Layout Nikki L. Petty Typesetting Tara Carter

Contributors: Bea Moten-Foster, Bernice Powell-Jackson, Dr. T.S. Kumbula, John Lcfmbkun, Judy Mays and Hugh Price. The Muncie Times is published twice monthly at 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, Ind. 47303. It covers the communities of Anderson, Marion, New Castle, Richmond, and Muncie. All editorial correspondence should be addressed to: The Editor, The Muncie Times, 1304 N. Broadway, Muncie, IN 47303. Telephone (765) 741-0037. Fax (765) 741-0040.

Thfli MimHA Yimiae I I It? IvllJI iwlt? I IllltZo appreciates your support and your business! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please call us at 741-0037 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.