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Plainville Coalition for Positive Youth Plainville Coalition for Positive Youth Development:Development:
Keeping Kids Safe By Keeping Kids Safe By Exploring the Dress Exploring the Dress
CodeCodeA A Community ConversationCommunity Conversation
September 28, 2006September 28, 2006
Report to the Plainville Board of EducationReport to the Plainville Board of Education
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PCPYD OverviewPCPYD OverviewThe mission of the Plainville Coalition for Positive The mission of the Plainville Coalition for Positive Youth Development is to provide enriching activities in Youth Development is to provide enriching activities in a safe community environment, empowering children a safe community environment, empowering children to positively shape their livesto positively shape their lives..
The CoalitionThe Coalition:: Is comprised of members representing a variety of local community Is comprised of members representing a variety of local community
organizations and individuals in support of Plainville’s youthorganizations and individuals in support of Plainville’s youth
Was instrumental in the design and launch of the after school program, Was instrumental in the design and launch of the after school program, which provides academic and enrichment programming to studentswhich provides academic and enrichment programming to students
Sponsored two community forums on risky behaviors and school safetySponsored two community forums on risky behaviors and school safety
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Community Conversation Community Conversation ModelModel
Funded by a grant from the League of Women Funded by a grant from the League of Women VotersVoters
Purpose: To create a productive dialogue among Purpose: To create a productive dialogue among a broad-based cross section of community a broad-based cross section of community members to:members to:
Identify areas of common ground, disagreement, questions and Identify areas of common ground, disagreement, questions and concerns concerns
Demonstrate that positive, broad-based conversations can take Demonstrate that positive, broad-based conversations can take place between diverse participants even on sensitive subjectsplace between diverse participants even on sensitive subjects
Build local capacity for future community conversationsBuild local capacity for future community conversations
Help participants explore how the community can work together Help participants explore how the community can work together more effectivelymore effectively
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Event OverviewEvent Overview
ParticipantsParticipants Members of the Plainville community Members of the Plainville community
representing:representing: ParentsParents StudentsStudents ClergyClergy BusinessBusiness Senior CitizensSenior Citizens Local GovernmentLocal Government Board of EducationBoard of Education
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Event OverviewEvent Overview
Event FormatEvent Format Large group opening sessionLarge group opening session
Presentation of three choice statementsPresentation of three choice statements
Arguments “for” and “against” each choiceArguments “for” and “against” each choice
Supporting research for each choiceSupporting research for each choice
Student models demonstrated choicesStudent models demonstrated choices
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Event OverviewEvent Overview
Small Group DiscussionSmall Group Discussion Choice Statements:Choice Statements:
1. 1. Parents have the right to send students to Parents have the right to send students to school in any clothing they feel is appropriate school in any clothing they feel is appropriate and in accordance with their own valuesand in accordance with their own values
2. 2. Schools should adopt specific uniform optionsSchools should adopt specific uniform options
3. 3. Schools should enforce a dress codeSchools should enforce a dress code
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Event OverviewEvent Overview
Large Group Post DiscussionLarge Group Post Discussion
Presentation of small group discussion Presentation of small group discussion
Areas of common groundAreas of common ground
Areas of disagreementAreas of disagreement
Questions and concernsQuestions and concerns
RecommendationsRecommendations
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RecommendationsRecommendationsAs a result of the community conversation event, the As a result of the community conversation event, the
following recommendations were made:following recommendations were made:
Research should be done to determine the extent of the problem at Research should be done to determine the extent of the problem at each level; gather statistics regarding numbers of infractions; each level; gather statistics regarding numbers of infractions; discipline required; etc. discipline required; etc.
Get input from school staff about how student dress affects Get input from school staff about how student dress affects learning and behaviorlearning and behavior
Sponsor focus groups with students to get their input on the issueSponsor focus groups with students to get their input on the issue
Research the experience of towns with similar size and socio – Research the experience of towns with similar size and socio – economic backgroundseconomic backgrounds
Review the research regarding towns who have implemented a Review the research regarding towns who have implemented a uniform policy to determine the extent of positive change in uniform policy to determine the extent of positive change in academics, behavior, etc. academics, behavior, etc.
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Recommendations - Recommendations - ContinuedContinued
Survey middle and high school students regarding their Survey middle and high school students regarding their knowledge of the dress codeknowledge of the dress code
The dress code should be clearly communicated to students The dress code should be clearly communicated to students and parentsand parents
Review the current dress code for relevance and update if Review the current dress code for relevance and update if necessarynecessary
There should be clear, consistent consequences for There should be clear, consistent consequences for violations of the dress codeviolations of the dress code
Dress code violations should be consistently enforcedDress code violations should be consistently enforced
Staff dress should be consideredStaff dress should be considered
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Recommendations - Recommendations - ContinuedContinued
In considering a uniform policy, the following In considering a uniform policy, the following should be considered:should be considered:
Cost impact on familiesCost impact on families
Implement policy over time beginning with elementary levelImplement policy over time beginning with elementary level
Include opportunities for self-expression, dress-down days, Include opportunities for self-expression, dress-down days, etc.etc.
There should be only one provider of uniforms to eliminate There should be only one provider of uniforms to eliminate the possibility of issues associated with clothing brands the possibility of issues associated with clothing brands
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Questions?Questions?Thank you!Thank you!
