JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the first week of classes wraps up in Duval County, the debate over school uniform policy continues after one Jacksonville mother says her daughter, a freshman at Ed White, missed the entire first week of school because she couldn’t afford the required uniform package.
The incident comes after News4JAX learned that students at Westside High School were pulled from class because their uniform didn’t include their school’s logo.
Amy Hamilton, whose daughter is named Shay, says she was shocked when she learned that her daughter was sent home on the very first day for not being in uniform, causing her to miss valuable class time.
“She’s been out all week and missing her education because of clothes,” Hamilton said.
At Ed White, there is a requirement for new students to purchase a uniform package that can cost between $246 and $371, depending on the child’s size.
“I can’t afford that. Like I said, I just started back myself, back at work, so I’m kind of tight with funds right now, and don’t know what to do,” Hamilton said.
She explained that Shay’s first-day outfit—a black long-sleeve shirt and pants—was modest and appropriate, but still not accepted.
Hamilton also says she’s tried repeatedly to reach the school for answers on how to get financial assistance, but hasn’t received any response.
“I’ve been trying to call, email, and have not gotten a word back. I can’t get through,” she said.
Due to health issues, Hamilton missed the school’s orientation and only learned about the uniform policy the weekend before classes began. She tried to buy just a few shirts from the school’s uniform vendor, RC Uniforms, but was told she had to purchase the full package.
“I’m like, ‘What do you mean, you can’t sell me just shirts? You’re a store...I should be able to come in here, get what I want, and leave, and you tell me you’re not gonna sell me these shirts. And they said, ‘No, ma’am, we can’t,’” Hamilton recalled.
Timothy Simmons, regional superintendent of high schools and alternative schools, told News4JAX that schools are encouraged to offer a grace period for students to obtain uniforms.
“We encourage schools to have a grace period that allows students to actually obtain the uniform if they don’t have it. We do pull students initially to make parent contact and to determine how we can assist them,” Simmons explained.
Despite this, Hamilton wonders why help isn’t more readily available and worries about the impact on her daughter’s education.
“It hurts me that a school would deny a child’s education over clothes. It hurts. I’m like, what is this world coming to, you know, to this point where a kid has to lose her education because of what she’s wearing,” she said.
News4JAX reached out to Duval County Public Schools for more information about financial assistance for families struggling with uniform costs. The district responded with the following statement:
The Duval County School Board’s position on school uniforms is outlined in the DCPS Code of Conduct. Individual schools, in collaboration with their School Advisory Council (SAC), can require uniforms.
Principals and school staff are keenly aware of community needs and are committed to working with families to address any challenges or hardships related to uniform expectations. Our goal is to work collaboratively with students and parents to ensure uniform compliance and find solutions with grace and compassion. We are also incredibly proud of the community organizations, volunteers, and parent groups who generously provide resources and uniforms to our students.
If you have any questions about the uniform policy at your student’s school, please contact the school’s front office or principal for guidance.
Duval County Public Schools
Westside High is planning to hold a meeting at the school on Aug. 25 in hopes of clearing up any confusion parents may have following the uniform policy fallout from the first week of school.
Additionally, News4JAX combed through the websites of all Duval County Public Schools and found that at least 22 schools require a logo. For 16 schools, it is unclear whether a logo is required, and at least eight schools didn’t have logo uniforms at all.
Another eight offered logos, but those schools directly state that logos are not required.
