CityView Magazine

36 August 2023 Sisters Caroline, 6, and Hannah Ross, 13 Sisters Arianna, 5, Abigail, 8, and Melody Solomon, 7 clothes if they want to participate. It's not required. It still needs to meet dress code requirements, and it's one dollar for a non-uniform item. For example, if Paisley wears a dress, it's $1. If she wears a skirt and a top, it would be $2," says Riddle. e school also has themed days for homecoming, Christmas and other holidays. Paisley has plenty of opportunity outside school to wear what she wants. As a family, the Riddles love spending time at the beach and at the lake, watching Paisley play soball, playing board games together, and spending time with friends and family. Riddle's 4-year-old son, Nixon, will start prekindergarten at Snyder Learning Center this fall, and he will not have to wear a school uniform. According to the Village Christian Academy handbook, the dress code is intended to foster a sense of unity; reduce bullying or biases based on perceived economic status; eliminate distractions for students; and help parents save money since uniforms are less expensive than branded clothing. Kellie Ross, who has two children, Hannah and Caroline, at Village Christian, agrees that uniforms are convenient. "It takes the guesswork out of the morning for both girls. For back-to-school shopping for my teenager, I let her express herself with her shoes," says Ross. Setting standards Other area private schools — with the exception of Fayetteville Academy — as well as charter schools and public schools require uniforms as well. Cumberland County's public school system paused enforcement of uniform policies last year, citing supply-chain and availability problems, but some schools have brought back a dress code requiring plain bottoms and polo shirts, usually in the school colors. Kellie Ross, who has two children, Hannah and Caroline, at Village Christian, agrees that uniforms are convenient. "It takes the guesswork out of the morning for both girls. For back- to-school shopping for my teenager, I let her express herself with her shoes."

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