Re: Track suits, School Trousers and Cold Weather
26th Feb
Dear Parents,
As you are all aware, we are heading for a particularly cold spell of weather over the next few weeks…..and we are not as used to the cold as they are in some other countries!
One or two parents have requested that their children wear track suit instead of uniform because of the pending cold weather.
This is a difficult one, as you can understand…whatever I do for one, I have to do for the other, I have to be fair across the board and not expect that some wear the uniform while others don’t. There is also a variety of opinions, some feeling that warm woolly tights, along with good shoes or boots, is a much warmer option than a track suit bottom and runners. From a management perspective, we must have uniformity and equity across the school, with everyone equally complying with school directives and everyone being treated the same.
Given the variety of opinions and the fact that the cold we expect to get at end of the week will possibly be exceptional, school management is putting forward the following compromise as a solution:
- For this week, and this week only, children can wear track suits if they so wish.
- After this week, the solution below is an option:
The Board of Management, at its meeting in October of this school year, agreed to allow trousers be introduced as an addendum to the present school uniform, i.e. every child must have the full and proper school uniform which includes the pinafore but parents have the option of having trousers as well which can be worn instead of the pinafore in the colder weather. There has been a lot of debate over the possible introduction of trousers as part of the uniform in the past year and a half among staff, pupils, parents and Board of Management, culminating in the board’s conclusion in October that trousers should be an additional and optional part of the uniform for colder weather but not instead of the pinafore. This would be as an option only for those who want it.
As this decision was made after the start of the school year, the intention was to inform parents at the end of this school year so it could be implemented for next year. However, in light of the pending cold weather and the fact that individual children cannot be given an exemption from wearing the uniform over other children who have to wear it, it seems fair to allow those who still feel that the woolly tights and boots are not enough, to get the trousers as and from now. The trousers which will be an official part of the uniform, thereby, children wearing them will still be complying with school rules and directives resulting in fairness and equity for all pupils.
After months of putting trousers on display in the school foyer last year, there was a majority decision from parents and staff to go with navy trousers. The board are very anxious that there would be complete uniformity regarding the style of trousers and shade of navy, therefore, a particular style has been chosen from Marks and Spencers which is the only trouser that will be accepted as part of the uniform. We have checked with the shop today and there are some sizes available in stock but all sizes are available on line.
If you are ordering online, or buying in the shop, the following is the garment details you will need:
Description: ‘Girls’ Slim Leg Crease Resistant Trousers’
Product Code: T76/1293
Price: Ranging from €13 to €19 depending on size
To keep things simple, we will use the term when summer uniform (i.e. shorts and track suit top) can be worn as the same break up of the year for wearing trousers (for those who want to). The children are allowed wear the school shorts in September, May and June, they change over in October when full uniform must be worn until April. In keeping with this, trousers can be worn from October until April also.
It is important to stress that trousers will be optional and additional to the uniform, not compulsory and not instead of the pinafore, every girl must still have a school pinafore. There will be special occasions throughout the school year when all children will be expected to wear full uniform with pinafore as directed by staff.
I am sure we will all be wrapping up with lots of warm under garments, hats, gloves and scarves over the next few weeks!!
Regarding the bad conditions particularly expected for Friday, we will be directed by the Department of Education and Skills on the matter of closure. If the school is directed to close because of bad weather, the DES will also be directing school management that the day is to be made up during the Easter holidays.
Yours sincerely,
Karen O’Sullivan (Principal)