In today's Record, "Your Views":
Regarding "Don't give up on school uniforms" (Your Views, Nov. 28) on uniforms and their apparent success in Secaucus:
Fort Lee is not Secaucus. What is needed in one may not be needed in the other.
For as long as I can remember, whenever I read an article or watched a news story about school uniforms in public schools, the policy was described as being a first step in turning a problem school system around. The last line of "School-uniform survey troubles some parents" (Page L-11, Nov. 22), the article referred to in the letter, mentioned Hackensack and Paterson as being two other school systems considering a school-uniform policy.
As a parent of two students enrolled in the Fort Lee school district, I believe that Fort Lee is not a school system in trouble; our children's test scores prove this. Whenever I go to my children's school, I notice a healthy, disciplined and engaging learning environment. Students are encouraged to think and make decisions for themselves. Why must we stifle their individuality with uniforms if we want them to grow into responsible citizens?
If Fort Lee adopts a school-uniform policy, I am afraid a signal will be sent to parents looking for a home in Bergen County that the Fort Lee school district is troubled. They might just pass Fort Lee by. What effect will that have on home values?
Art Elmers
Fort Lee, Nov. 28