Sydney Walker
English 10
Mr. Miller
24 September 2013
The Benefits of School Uniforms
A student’s school should be a safe environment that provides the child opportunities to receive a quality education. However bullying, gang violence, peer pressure, and cliques are growing in popularity among schools causing less learning and more problems than ever before. The solution to this growing problem is quite simple: uniforms. Uniforms promote equality, prepare children for a future career, and are proven to improve graduation rates; for these reasons and more, uniform policies should be added to public schools across America (While).
Safety is the main concern for public schools, and the use of uniforms would drastically reduce the amount of bullying incidents and gang violence occurrences. The 2010 Bullying Statistics web page states, “There are about 160,000 children that miss school every day out of fear of being bullied” (Bullying Statistic 2010). A portion of these 160,000 children miss school because of a fear that they will be humiliated for what brand of clothes they wear. If these self-conscious children wore uniforms; they would not be afraid to go to school. Additionally, when all children are wearing the same clothes, it is unlikely that a child will ridicule another that is wearing the same outfit as he or she is. In addition, if all children are wearing the same uniform, an intruder in the school could be easily identified, creating a safer school environment. Uniforms are form fitting so a child would not be able to hide a gun in a pocket or hood in the classroom, causing less gunfights or threats on school property (Bullying Statistics 2010).
Uniforms can help children learn valuable life lessons and save their families money. In Angella Benjamin’s article, School Uniforms save Parents Time, Money, she states, “My daughter wears a uniform to school and it only costs me $130 for the school year”, these 130 dollars are spent on a uniform that can last up to two years and includes clothing options offering different pieces of clothing that can be worn in each of the four seasons (While) . Secondly, Emily Gould in her article, PRO: Uniforms Economical and Practical choice for school attire, states, “Uniforms are more cost effective than non-uniform school clothes” (Gould). In other words, parents will no longer have to buy their children new clothes because their other clothes are out of “style”, saving a family hundreds of dollars each year. Furthermore, uniforms mandate students to wear appropriate clothing and not clothing that display logos supporting alcohol or drugs (Carlson).
Ethically, uniforms change a child’s outlook on education, causing him or her to take school more seriously. For example, studies show that schools that required their students to wear uniforms had improved behavior, and increased graduation and attendance rates (Gould). Uniforms help kids feel more confident in their abilities, causing them to feel as if they can pass a test or even graduate. In addition, students will picture school as more of a career, and work harder and pay more attention. Uniforms will increase attendance rates because children will not want to be absent from school, causing them to fall behind or miss something important. Having a designated set of clothes to wear also gives children more time to eat breakfast and finish any last minute homework in the morning rather than picking out the “coolest” clothes (Kouzmine). People against the idea of uniforms say that uniforms restrict a child’s creativity, in actuality children can express themselves in other ways; such as their hairstyles or what they wear on the weekend.
A uniform policy should be adopted into every public school in the country. Uniforms reduce the amounts of bullying incidents and promote equality among students. Additionally, uniforms force children to wear appropriate clothing to school and teach them that what is on the “inside” matters. Finally, uniforms help children take school more seriously and help them prepare for a career. Just an addition of a uniform policy will change a child’s life for the better (Benjamin).
Works Cited
Benjamin, Angella. "School Uniforms save Parents Time, Money." Maryland Community
Newspaper. Maryland Gazette, 27 Apr. 2006. Web. 26 Sep. 2013.
"Bullying Statistics 2010." Bullyingstatistics.org. Bullying Statistics, n.d. Web. 25 Sep.
2013.
Carlson, Brandon. "Uniforms in Public Schools." Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 28 Sept.
2011. Web. 27 Sep. 2013.
Gould, Emily. "PRO: Uniforms Economical and Practical choice for school attire." West
Virginia Gazette. Wvgazzette, 3 Sep. 2010. Web. 25 Sep. 2013.
Kouzmine, Michelle. “The Pros of School Uniforms: Why Students Should Wear School Uniforms.” About. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sep. 2013.
While, Elise. “How Do the Clothes Kids Wear Affect How They Learn?” Livestrong. Livestrong, 16 August 2013. Web. 27 Sep. 2013.
English 10
Mr. Miller
24 September 2013
The Benefits of School Uniforms
A student’s school should be a safe environment that provides the child opportunities to receive a quality education. However bullying, gang violence, peer pressure, and cliques are growing in popularity among schools causing less learning and more problems than ever before. The solution to this growing problem is quite simple: uniforms. Uniforms promote equality, prepare children for a future career, and are proven to improve graduation rates; for these reasons and more, uniform policies should be added to public schools across America (While).
Safety is the main concern for public schools, and the use of uniforms would drastically reduce the amount of bullying incidents and gang violence occurrences. The 2010 Bullying Statistics web page states, “There are about 160,000 children that miss school every day out of fear of being bullied” (Bullying Statistic 2010). A portion of these 160,000 children miss school because of a fear that they will be humiliated for what brand of clothes they wear. If these self-conscious children wore uniforms; they would not be afraid to go to school. Additionally, when all children are wearing the same clothes, it is unlikely that a child will ridicule another that is wearing the same outfit as he or she is. In addition, if all children are wearing the same uniform, an intruder in the school could be easily identified, creating a safer school environment. Uniforms are form fitting so a child would not be able to hide a gun in a pocket or hood in the classroom, causing less gunfights or threats on school property (Bullying Statistics 2010).
Uniforms can help children learn valuable life lessons and save their families money. In Angella Benjamin’s article, School Uniforms save Parents Time, Money, she states, “My daughter wears a uniform to school and it only costs me $130 for the school year”, these 130 dollars are spent on a uniform that can last up to two years and includes clothing options offering different pieces of clothing that can be worn in each of the four seasons (While) . Secondly, Emily Gould in her article, PRO: Uniforms Economical and Practical choice for school attire, states, “Uniforms are more cost effective than non-uniform school clothes” (Gould). In other words, parents will no longer have to buy their children new clothes because their other clothes are out of “style”, saving a family hundreds of dollars each year. Furthermore, uniforms mandate students to wear appropriate clothing and not clothing that display logos supporting alcohol or drugs (Carlson).
Ethically, uniforms change a child’s outlook on education, causing him or her to take school more seriously. For example, studies show that schools that required their students to wear uniforms had improved behavior, and increased graduation and attendance rates (Gould). Uniforms help kids feel more confident in their abilities, causing them to feel as if they can pass a test or even graduate. In addition, students will picture school as more of a career, and work harder and pay more attention. Uniforms will increase attendance rates because children will not want to be absent from school, causing them to fall behind or miss something important. Having a designated set of clothes to wear also gives children more time to eat breakfast and finish any last minute homework in the morning rather than picking out the “coolest” clothes (Kouzmine). People against the idea of uniforms say that uniforms restrict a child’s creativity, in actuality children can express themselves in other ways; such as their hairstyles or what they wear on the weekend.
A uniform policy should be adopted into every public school in the country. Uniforms reduce the amounts of bullying incidents and promote equality among students. Additionally, uniforms force children to wear appropriate clothing to school and teach them that what is on the “inside” matters. Finally, uniforms help children take school more seriously and help them prepare for a career. Just an addition of a uniform policy will change a child’s life for the better (Benjamin).
Works Cited
Benjamin, Angella. "School Uniforms save Parents Time, Money." Maryland Community
Newspaper. Maryland Gazette, 27 Apr. 2006. Web. 26 Sep. 2013.
"Bullying Statistics 2010." Bullyingstatistics.org. Bullying Statistics, n.d. Web. 25 Sep.
2013.
Carlson, Brandon. "Uniforms in Public Schools." Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 28 Sept.
2011. Web. 27 Sep. 2013.
Gould, Emily. "PRO: Uniforms Economical and Practical choice for school attire." West
Virginia Gazette. Wvgazzette, 3 Sep. 2010. Web. 25 Sep. 2013.
Kouzmine, Michelle. “The Pros of School Uniforms: Why Students Should Wear School Uniforms.” About. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sep. 2013.
While, Elise. “How Do the Clothes Kids Wear Affect How They Learn?” Livestrong. Livestrong, 16 August 2013. Web. 27 Sep. 2013.
Sydney Walker
Mr. Miller
2nd Hour- English 10
12 November 2013
Adapting to Survive
Humans will do whatever is necessary in order to survive. They will adapt to their
surroundings with the primary goal to remain alive. People will become resourceful and change
in order to make it to the next day. In the novel Night, society, and in my life people have adapted
to live through extremely different circumstances. In Night, the main character Eliezer witnessed
people adapt by turning on each other, becoming resourceful, and by doing anything they needed
to survive.
Firstly, Eliezer observed a son fight and eventually kill his own father over a piece of
bread; he resorted to violence to survive. Secondly, Eliezer himself felt his chance of survival
was lessened while giving his father a portion of his soup and considered keeping his soup for
himself. Furthermore, the Kapos, prisoners in charge of the other prisoners, would brutally
punish the other prisoners.The Kapos were greedy and would take food or other supplies from
the prisoners to make their own life easier. Not only did the prisoners adapt, but people in society
today have adapted to survive (Wiesel).
In 2008, a boat containing 33 Dominican refugees set sail illegally for Puerto Rico. The
ship became lost and eventually ran out of fuel. The passengers tried to survive off of rain and
sea water, but eventually started dying from dehydration. Their survival instinct appeared and the
passengers decided they would eat the dead. These people became resourceful, and because
of which survived the experience until they were rescued by a passing ship (Stedul). Another
story involves Aron Ralston, an explorer who unfortunately loosened a giant boulder while
viewing the area underneath the Nevada Desert. The boulder fell and pinned his right arm to the
ground. After five days with little water, no food, and no way to call for help, Ralston made the
decision to dislocate and then cut off his arm with his penknife; one that saved his life. He cut off
his arm because it meant him being able to call for help (Graff). Both in society and my life
people accomplished difficult tasks in order to help them survive.
Although I have never had to adapt to survive, I have changed at different times in my life.
For example, after my little sister Brooklyn was born I had to adapt to not receiving all of my
parent’s attention and not being known as the “cute one” anymore. I also had to adapt to rarely
seeing my grandparents after they moved to Florida. I had to get used to talking to them on the
phone instead of seeing them and going to their house everyday.
In Night, Eliezer witnessed the prisoners change by turning on each other and doing
whatever was necessary for survival. On the ship, the passengers became resourceful and ate
the dead to ensure that they would live until they were rescued. Personally, I had to adapt to
having a little sister and my grandparents moving away. Humans will do anything to survive, even
if it means doing the unthinkable, and will adapt to their surroundings in order to survive.
.
Works Cited
Graff, Vince. "Trapped Again for 127 Hours." Dailymail.com. Daily Mail, 30 Sep. 2011. Web.
10 Nov. 2013.
Stedul, Joseph. "People Eat Fellow Passengers to Survive at Sea." Daljecom English All
News.
Wiesel, Elie. Night.Toronto: Bantam, 1960. Print.
Mr. Miller
2nd Hour- English 10
12 November 2013
Adapting to Survive
Humans will do whatever is necessary in order to survive. They will adapt to their
surroundings with the primary goal to remain alive. People will become resourceful and change
in order to make it to the next day. In the novel Night, society, and in my life people have adapted
to live through extremely different circumstances. In Night, the main character Eliezer witnessed
people adapt by turning on each other, becoming resourceful, and by doing anything they needed
to survive.
Firstly, Eliezer observed a son fight and eventually kill his own father over a piece of
bread; he resorted to violence to survive. Secondly, Eliezer himself felt his chance of survival
was lessened while giving his father a portion of his soup and considered keeping his soup for
himself. Furthermore, the Kapos, prisoners in charge of the other prisoners, would brutally
punish the other prisoners.The Kapos were greedy and would take food or other supplies from
the prisoners to make their own life easier. Not only did the prisoners adapt, but people in society
today have adapted to survive (Wiesel).
In 2008, a boat containing 33 Dominican refugees set sail illegally for Puerto Rico. The
ship became lost and eventually ran out of fuel. The passengers tried to survive off of rain and
sea water, but eventually started dying from dehydration. Their survival instinct appeared and the
passengers decided they would eat the dead. These people became resourceful, and because
of which survived the experience until they were rescued by a passing ship (Stedul). Another
story involves Aron Ralston, an explorer who unfortunately loosened a giant boulder while
viewing the area underneath the Nevada Desert. The boulder fell and pinned his right arm to the
ground. After five days with little water, no food, and no way to call for help, Ralston made the
decision to dislocate and then cut off his arm with his penknife; one that saved his life. He cut off
his arm because it meant him being able to call for help (Graff). Both in society and my life
people accomplished difficult tasks in order to help them survive.
Although I have never had to adapt to survive, I have changed at different times in my life.
For example, after my little sister Brooklyn was born I had to adapt to not receiving all of my
parent’s attention and not being known as the “cute one” anymore. I also had to adapt to rarely
seeing my grandparents after they moved to Florida. I had to get used to talking to them on the
phone instead of seeing them and going to their house everyday.
In Night, Eliezer witnessed the prisoners change by turning on each other and doing
whatever was necessary for survival. On the ship, the passengers became resourceful and ate
the dead to ensure that they would live until they were rescued. Personally, I had to adapt to
having a little sister and my grandparents moving away. Humans will do anything to survive, even
if it means doing the unthinkable, and will adapt to their surroundings in order to survive.
.
Works Cited
Graff, Vince. "Trapped Again for 127 Hours." Dailymail.com. Daily Mail, 30 Sep. 2011. Web.
10 Nov. 2013.
Stedul, Joseph. "People Eat Fellow Passengers to Survive at Sea." Daljecom English All
News.
Wiesel, Elie. Night.Toronto: Bantam, 1960. Print.