“Everything which is in any way beautiful is beautiful in itself…. That which is really beautiful has no need of anything”… — Marcus Aurelius (Meditations)
Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public schools that required school uniforms jumped from 12% in the 1999-2000 school year to 20% in the 2017-18 school year. School uniforms were most frequently required by elementary schools (23%), followed by middle (18%), and high schools (10%). (Encyclopedia Britannica)
PRO
School uniforms may deter crime and increase student safety.
School uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes.
School uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying.
Wearing uniforms enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit.
School uniforms may improve attendance and discipline.
Uniform policies save valuable class time because they are easier to enforce than a standard dress code.
School uniforms prevent the display of gang colors and insignia.
School uniforms make getting ready for school easier, which can improve punctuality.
School uniforms can save parents money.
Most parents and educators support mandatory school uniforms.
Students’ legal right to free expression remains intact even with mandatory school uniforms.
Students dressed in uniform are better perceived by teachers and peers.
Students can express their individuality in school uniforms by introducing variations and adding accessories.
School uniforms restrict students’ freedom of expression.
School uniforms promote conformity over individuality.
School uniforms do not stop bullying and may increase violent attacks.
School uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results.
The key findings used to tout the benefits of uniforms are questionable.
School uniforms emphasize the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to eliminate.
Students oppose school uniforms.
Uniforms may have a detrimental effect on students’ self-image.
Focusing on uniforms takes attention away from finding genuine solutions to problems in education.
The push for school uniforms is driven by commercial interests rather than educational ones.
Parents should be free to choose their children’s clothes without government interference.
School uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families.
School uniforms may delay the transition into adulthood.
Everyone would basically be 50% happier if everyone dressed a little better. Clothes are everywhere. Everyone doesn’t have to be a clothes hound, but if the girls looked pretty and the guys looked nice, people would be happier and even more optimistic about the future. pic.twitter.com/iQcNPL1cMl
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This year’s Annual Fashion Show features 171 looks from 42 designers. Collections and single-submission garments were chosen by a panel of industry critics and jurors. The pieces include evening wear, market-ready, universal design and more. https://t.co/3shpSI9LdV
The School of Fashion had the pleasure of hosting students from Streetsboro Middle School. Students got the chance to gain a better understanding of fashion, design and knitwear by participating in a variety of educational activities.
Lakeland Florida high school offers free clothes and laundry facilities. Expansion of this concept to Saturdays for all students in the district would contribute to greater utilization of square footage that is normally unused. It may also lower energy cost and contribute to “family feeling” in the district.
I was admiring my gran’s sewing machine today. I think it was probably her mother’s. Amazing that a mass-produced tool was made to look like *this*. pic.twitter.com/fiT5NxtzNA
The 98th commencement ceremony for H.B. Plant High School celebrates the remarkable graduating class of 2025!
🎓 “Your dedication, perseverance, and willingness to give your all have brought you to this moment. As you move forward, embrace every opportunity with the same spirit… pic.twitter.com/oJ9K1NSgeG
— Hillsborough Schools (@HillsboroughSch) May 24, 2025
Codes, standards and licensing for barbering schools and cosmetology academies are governed by local regulations; or local adaptations of national standards-setting organizations.
Schools must provide adequate space for instruction and practice. For example, California requires a minimum of 3,000 square feet for cosmetology schools (which often include barbering), with at least 2,000 square feet dedicated to working, practice, and classroom areas. Additional space (e.g., 30 square feet per student beyond the first 50) may be required as enrollment increases.
Rooms for practical work must be sized appropriately, such as at least 14 feet wide for one row of barber chairs or 20 feet for two rows (California standard).
Ceiling Height
Practice and classroom areas often require a minimum ceiling height, such as 9 feet, to ensure proper ventilation and comfort (e.g., California Building Code).
Floor Finish
Floors in areas like restrooms or workspaces must be made of nonabsorbent materials (e.g., tile) to facilitate cleaning and maintain hygiene.
Separation from Other Uses
Barbering schools must be distinct entities, not combined with residential spaces or unrelated businesses (e.g., Nevada’s NAC 643.500).
Compliance with Local Building and Zoning Codes
Facilities must adhere to local ordinances for construction, occupancy, and zoning, ensuring the building is structurally sound and legally permitted for educational use (e.g., Virginia’s 18VAC41-20-270).
Accessibility
Buildings must comply with accessibility standards (e.g., ADA in the U.S.), providing ramps, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.
This Pennsylvania barbershop is helping children build their confidence, paying young customers $3 to read stories aloud while getting a haircut deserves unlimited retweets..
Compliance with the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (e.g., New York’s 19 NYCRR Parts 600-1250) or equivalent, including fire exits, extinguishers, and alarms.
Emergency exits must be clearly marked and unobstructed.
Electrical Safety
All electrical equipment (e.g., clippers, dryers) must be regularly inspected (e.g., PAT testing in some regions) to prevent shocks or fires.
Ventilation and Temperature Control
Adequate ventilation systems are required to maintain air quality and a safe working temperature, protecting students and instructors from fumes or overheating.
First Aid and Emergency Preparedness
A stocked first aid kit must be available, and schools should have protocols for handling accidents or emergencies.
Equipment Safety
Tools and workstations (e.g., chairs, sinks) must be maintained in good condition to prevent injuries. Hazardous tools like razor-edged implements for callus removal are often prohibited (e.g., California regulations).
Occupational Safety
Compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or state equivalents, such as Virginia’s Department of Labor and Industry standards, to protect against workplace hazards like chemical exposure or repetitive strain.
Haircut at Santisimo Sacramento Trade School. Best cut ever! Bill at State Street Barber Shop remains N. America’s #1 pic.twitter.com/1OFajjBOs2
Schools must be kept clean and sanitary at all times, including floors, walls, furniture, and workstations (e.g., Virginia’s 18VAC41-20-270).
Disinfection of Tools
Each student or instructor must have a wet disinfection unit at their station for sterilizing reusable tools (e.g., combs, shears) after each use. Disinfectants must be EPA-registered and bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal.
Single-use items (e.g., razor blades) must be discarded after each client in a labeled sharps container.
Hand Hygiene
Practitioners must wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before services (e.g., Texas Rule 83.102).
Client Protection
Sanitary neck strips or towels must be used to prevent capes from contacting clients’ skin directly (e.g., California regulations).
Services cannot be performed on inflamed, broken, or infected skin, and practitioners with such conditions on their hands must wear gloves.
Product Safety
Cosmetic products containing FDA-banned hazardous substances are prohibited, and all products must be used per manufacturer instructions (e.g., Virginia’s 18VAC41-20-270).
Waste Management
Proper disposal of soiled items (e.g., hair clippings) and hazardous waste (e.g., blades) is required, often daily or after each client.
Health Department Compliance
Schools must follow state health department guidelines and report inspection results (e.g., Virginia requires reporting to the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology).
Self-Inspection
Annual self-inspections must be documented and retained for review (e.g., Virginia mandates keeping records for five years).
This teacher saw one of his students waiting to get a haircut and stumbled upon a simple solution: Reading.
State-Specific Variations: Always consult your state’s barbering or cosmetology board for exact requirements. For instance, Texas (TDLR) emphasizes signage and licensing display, while California focuses on detailed sterilization methods.
Inspections: Schools are subject to regular inspections by state boards or health departments to ensure compliance.
Cosmetology (as time allows)
Posting this cause I passed all my tests and got my 1600 hours IM A COSMETOLOGIST/BARBER NOW 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/CmEXVtOrk4
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
