New MF Band Uniforms

[ohcuriousone]

Greetings band, Great new uniforms. One question, has the school board made an exception regarding the bandanas? I believe that they are forbidden by the dress code yet it seemed that one group was wearing them Friday night. Is this officially part of the uniform? If not, why the exception? And why just one group?

[JSKR]

Why not ask the school board or principal?

[KINGCHIP]

I'm not sure what you are talking about, but I like the band when they ARE in uniform. Apparently, at sweepstakes, or whatever they call competition now, that our band wore something other than uniforms due to the rain. WHY????? Other bands wore the uniforms. Is it a funding issue, or can the uniforms not get wet?

Someone please explain....

[Feline]

I saw our band for the first time this year on Friday, I was really amazed at how talented they are. And I loved the uniforms, Kingchip I don't know about uniforms in the rain but I always thought bands could not play in the rain due the instruments getting wet, espicially the woodwinds? Im not sure about that though. I did not notice the bandanas but why are they banned in schools- ? I wear one to keep the sweat out of my eyes when Im working out yonder in the garden.

[Shire_Driver]

Hi Feline....haven't you heard?? Wearing a bandana obviously means you're in a gang...:rolleyes:
Ridiculous!!
The dress code for the schools have become so ridiculous. I feel it comes down to good judgment. I believe there should be guidelines, however, I feel that the school really goes overboard with some things.
I also wear a bandana when I am outside working in the yard and sometimes when I go horseback riding and sometimes because I think it looks cute.
I'm not sure about the uniform thing...I was in band through Jr. High and High School--in Marble Falls---(a long time ago....) our uniforms were dry clean only. Not sure if maybe that had something to do with it because of the rain.
But like someone said in an earlier post, you may want to check with the school?

[butchkemper]

The problem with modeling the dress code on good judgment is there is very little good judgment left.

The solution to the dress code problem is school uniforms.

Butch

[nosefornews]

Chip, I heard that the uniforms were a wool blend which would make them very unsuited for wearing in any kind of wet weather....

I wore a school uniform all the way until high school and hated every minute of it....but it did keep things orderly and there sure wasn't any fashion wars going on...

[JSKR]

Depending on where you are from, bandannas most definitely mean gang involvement. The "colors" have meaning. I lived in San Antonio for 30 years and you don't dare wear a bandanna without the fear of getting shot. That's just the way it is.
In fact, even things such as Mickey Mouse t shirts and the like were known to be gang garb and were disallowed in schools.
Unless you have been around that kind of thing, you may think it's ridiculous. But it's totally real and people do get killed (in some places) merely because of what color bandanna they are wearing.
My daughter knows sign language (thanks to WONDERFUL Mr. Woods - the best teacher ever!), and I won't even let her practice her sign language in the car when we are driving in SA because a gang member could mistake that for gang signage.
Bottom line is certain clothing items DO mean certain affiliations and I don't understand complaining that students shouldn't wear bandannas to school. They aren't out cutting the yard or riding the bike, they are in school.

My child has graduated from MFHS after 4 years there. I feel the dress code there is very fair. The students looked neat and there were only a few with sagging pants that I saw that certainly should have been snagged by the administration.
I applaud the school for keeping the students looking neat, allowing them to still have a personal identity with their clothing, yet keeping it safe and respectable.

[countryboy]

The problem with modeling the dress code on good judgment is there is very little good judgment left.

The solution to the dress code problem is school uniforms.

Butch


uniforms are good if you are in a private school,catholic school or other self paying place. But in public schools which are paid for by tax dollars it should not be allowed.Gee why dont we all just have the kids sing obama praise songs as well.Maybe wear a Obama bandana.Do the one arm straight salute.lol

[KINGCHIP]

San Antonio ISD tried uniforms and may still have them. The problem is that a parent can take the kid up to school wearing $100 sneakers and $100 baggie jeans and a $100 pro sport jersey, and declare that they can not afford them. It cost SAISD over 1 mil a year to provide them to those kids.


Back to the Band, the bands that placed high or won the competition wore their uniforms. Maybe we need to reconsider this for next purchase.

[JSKR]

I also like the "traditional" uniforms the dance teams wear. When there are teams that perform at games on the field in other than the traditional dress/hat/white boots uniform, it just seems too different to me.

Performing for other shows is different, but for football games I like the uniforms.

[ohcuriousone]

Research has uncovered the following. The old uniforms could not be worn in rainy weather due to wool content, hence the contest performance in jeans and band shirts. Also some instruments, percussion and woodwinds cannot be used in wet weather. The uniforms worn Friday night are brand new and are of different fabric. Still the high cost of uniforms will probably dictate that they also will not be worn in wet weather, just common sense. Still no answer on the bandanas, seems on one wants to talk about it. Maybe it's a sore spot because they know it's wrong. It does send the wrong message.

[KINGCHIP]

Well, if the bands that placed and moved to the next round of competition wore uniforms, then we need to give our kids the same opportunity to advance. If that means that the uniforms get wet, then so be it. As for instruments, that is a little different.

You don't see a sports team forfeit so the uniforms don't get wet or soiled. Why differentiate?

[Shire_Driver]

This isn't San Antonio, this is Marble Falls.
I will not live in fear in my hometown of what I wear, fearing that I could get shot.
People need to use their heads on good judgment for proper school clothing.
Back to the uniforms, NO they should not wear these uniforms in bad weather (i.e. rain, drizzle, etc.) They are too expensive and nice for that. They are not football uniforms that are meant to get grass stains, muddy and wet. Band uniforms are not, they are meant for marching.---they are not sports team uniforms....

[KINGCHIP]

The Band sweepstakes went on weekend before last rain or shine......and it rained. They should be able to look like a band at competition, regardless. Other schools seemed able to perform as was necessary. Maybe we need to reconsider the uniforms if they do not fit the needs of the band.

[lmam88]

I was in the MF band in the late 70's and early 80's as well as in my hometown in S. Texas prior to moving to MF. All of our uniforms were made out of wool for warmth and yes, we had to have them dry cleaned. We wore them whether it was in rain, sleet or snow. We most certainly wore them at ALL contests as dress code was part of the rating system. Some instruments cannot be out in the rain that is why you see the band doing the chinese fire drill if it starts raining. It ruins the pads on the woodwinds and they are not cheap! The only time we were not in uniforms was marching in parades or at the community pep rallies that were held in town. We were in our casual uniforms meaning jeans with band shirt.
As for the bandanna's if they came with the new uniforms then they need to be worn with the uniform. This gang stuff is for the birds...we are talking about BAND UNIFORMS not street wear!
It's a real shame that the band director made the call not to wear the uniforms for contest. If I still had one in band I would be calling to speak with him to find out what his reasoning was behind that decision. They represent our schools and our community at those type of functions and know most want them looking their best in doing so!
Oh, if bandannas are so horrible and taboo then someone needs to let all the grannies and grandpas know that are in the nursing homes!!!

[JSKR]

This isn't San Antonio, this is Marble Falls.
I will not live in fear in my hometown of what I wear, fearing that I could get shot.
People need to use their heads on good judgment for proper school clothing.


No it isn't San Antonio, trust me I know where I live, chill out.
You mentioned how ridiculous it is that the kids can't wear bandannas to school and I tried to explain the reason it isn't allowed. The school is doing what they can to prevent these types of issues stemming from certain types of clothing.
You think bandannas are proper school clothing???

Another thing to consider is what you might think is good judgment, another parent might think differently. If a parent thought daisy dukes were OK for girls to wear to school, maybe they thought that was "good judgment". With so many differing opinions about what good judgment is, of course the schools have to take control.


Oh, if bandannas are so horrible and taboo then someone needs to let all the grannies and grandpas know that are in the nursing homes!!!

People, we are not talking about grannies wearing bandannas here. :rolleyes:
We are talking about teenagers and they can be harmed wearing bandannas, period. I know, I lived it, I saw it and you cannot simply shrug it off as nonsense. No one said they were terrible and taboo. It is merely not something that you wear to school and there are reasons for it.

I wear bandannas too!!! (But not in San Antonio.)

Amazing what bringing up a topic about bandannas can do around here.

[carebear3774]

Really? Are we that old that we can't let the kids be kids? We have to let them stretch their wings and test the water so they learn to be people. Quit suffocating them to control them. Be grateful that we live somewhere safe and we don't have to worry about colors. For now let them be kids. They are in band. In high school. They are NOT adults. Let them be expressive and youthful before the real world makes them conformists.

I have a 14-year-old football player and trust me when I tell you that if wearing a bandana on the field is the worst thing he does.... then Praise the Lord, I've done my job.

Let's lighten up and remember what it was to be a teenager.

[JSKR]

Question... how hot are those band uniforms?

[hmmm]

Greetings band, Great new uniforms. One question, has the school board made an exception regarding the bandanas? I believe that they are forbidden by the dress code yet it seemed that one group was wearing them Friday night. Is this officially part of the uniform? If not, why the exception? And why just one group?

It sounds like the band was allowed to wear their "band"anas, so I don't see what the fuss is all about.

JSKR is right, bandanas are a big gang symbol. Gang members go to great lengths to show their pride and gang affiliation by going so far as to fold and press their bandanas very neatly. They wear these bandanas tucked into their wastebands to show to whom they are loyal. If you think that we don't have these types of people in our community and even our schools, you are sorely mistaken. There is not a problem because the school takes proactive measures such as prohibiting the display of bandanas.

It is not unreasonable to restrict student attire. I fail to see how telling a child that he or she cannot wear a bandana prevents that child from expressing individuality. Go to the high school and check it out, there are lots of kids that express who they are in appropriate ways--without bandanas.

[ohcuriousone]

When I questioned several current band members wherever I found them around town, the new uniforms are much cooler than the old wool. It seems the new uniforms just came in last week and were quickly issued. The old wool uniforms were all that was available during the practice contest on Oct 3rd., hence the jeans, shirts and ponchos. The new uniforms are fully lined so it is likely that you will still see shorts and shirts the first few games when it is 100 degrees. Apparently the band uniforms are expected to last 8 years so this is the reason for the extreme care being taken with them. The band wore the new uniforms at the UIL contest on Oct 17th and earned a 2 rating which does not allow guarantee advancement to the area competition. The MF band was not chosen by the judges to advance, therefore their competition year is over.

[gardener]

Wore wool band uniform for 6 years, girls all wore uniform skirts!!!

So should we call for a referendum? Whereas this here is TEXAS, all citizens will be required to wear Lone Star Flag bandanas.

Ok, just an idea, but simplifying the dress code would be expedient. All solid color shirts (sleeves required,), no logos, etc. Jeans, no unpatched rips, or shorts/skirts to mid knee. No ifs, ands, or buts!

We did however, have a bandana incident here approximately 20 years ago. MFPD officer detained a sweaty group of 5 middle school boys all wearing different colored bandana leaving the grounds of elementary school outdoor basketball court, bouncing a basketball, during summer vacation. Officer called for a camera and was about to start photographing these 12-13 year old kids when one of the Moms showed up and more or less laughed herself silly as the officer wanted to document gangs in Marble Falls. I hear they did not want to photograph Mom with the group as its' leader and the owner of all the bandanas. Very laughable then, maybe not so much now?

[lmam88]

The old wool uniforms would have been UNBEARABLE in weather that the season starts out in these days because being wool clothes had to be worn underneath. Way back when the season did not start til 1st or 2nd week of September and it use to get cooler alot earlier then it does now. Even with those wool uniforms I remember a game my Sophomore yr. play off game in November at Burger Center Stadium being called off the field in the middle of our half time show because so many of us were suffering from frostbite and hypothermia! No joke, it was the first year we had Flag Core as well. Some members of the Flag Core, Drill Team and Cheerleaders had to be transported to the hospital to be treated...make matters worse we lost the game due to a bad call :~(. There were a whole lot of frantic parents waiting in the parking lot that night! Cell phones were not even thought of back then.

[Caretaker]

JSKR is right, bandanas are a big gang symbol. Gang members go to great lengths to show their pride and gang affiliation by going so far as to fold and press their bandanas very neatly. They wear these bandanas tucked into their wastebands to show to whom they are loyal. If you think that we don't have these types of people in our community and even our schools, you are sorely mistaken. There is not a problem because the school takes proactive measures such as prohibiting the display of bandanas. (qoute)

In some circles bandanas maybe a gang symbol but in others its not.Bandanas are nothin more then a glorfied hankerchief. Cowboys have them.Bikers have them. Heck I have one in my back pocket everyday.Sometimes i wear one on my face when doing yardwork to keep out dust..Also I Never know when i,ll need to excel something snotty.
I say let the band have them. It sure beats blowing something on the sleeve of those expensive fancy uniforms.:laughing:

[KINGCHIP]

Why would a person acquire wool band uniforms in Texas? It seems that there are many other choices these days, and cotton would be a cool choice. The odds of it being so cold that extra clothes underneath would not fix the problem are remote.

[Shire_Driver]

Who knows why they would be wool? Is that all that is available, maybe?
I was in the MF Band in the late '80's and we had those awful gray uniforms....I remember them being quiet warm. Like someone said earlier tough, School used to start later than it does now, and most of the football games and UIL competitions were during the cooler weather. Maybe with the way school starts earlier they ought to look into a lighter type of material if possible...

Hey JSKR...I'm chillin :D

[MFEXX]

Greetings band, Great new uniforms. One question, has the school board made an exception regarding the bandanas? I believe that they are forbidden by the dress code yet it seemed that one group was wearing them Friday night. Is this officially part of the uniform? If not, why the exception? And why just one group?

the section that you are referring to would be the drumline. they recieved them in their goodie bags and they supposedly had their names on them. they were allowed to wear them for the walk around. and it was approved. they however didn't wear them for the game so i hear. BUT of course it caused a controversy between members of the band because some people are allowed to do somethings while others are not.

[tonigking]

I don't know about uniforms or bandanas.

I do know that these hard working young people did an awesome job of marching and playing, giving up their sat. Morning to honor our veterans.

Give the kids a pat on the back , right here, right now.

Granite shoals says thank you so much for being here for our parade!!!!!!!:)

[longhorn]

im a current member of the HS band. just to clear things up. the reason we didnt wear our uniforms at contest was because of rain. the bandanna issue was a touchy subject. drumline was allowed to wear them despite questioning from several band officers. and yes it is against school district dress code. a officer asked the director about them and was told to "get over it".