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Head Teacher Blasts Parents For Wearing Pajamas While Dropping Off Children At School, Says It’s ‘Setting A Bad Example For Our Children’

By Angelica N. Sumter
Published on: 08:45 PST, Jan 26, 2016

Kate Chisholm, who is the head teacher at Skerne Park Academy in Darlington, has had enough of seeing parents wearing pajamas as they bring their children to and from school, and has requested parents to start dressing appropriately, reported the Guardian. Chisholm stated that she noticed an “increase in the number of parents wearing pajamas and slippers at the gates — with some even attending school assemblies and meetings in nighttime attire” and had to do something.

The head teacher immediately sent out a letter to all parents that stated: “I have noticed there has been an increasing tendency for parents to escort children to and from school while still wearing their pajamas and, on occasion, even slippers. Could I please ask that when you are escorting your children, you take the time to dress appropriately in daywear that is suitable for the weather conditions?”

Chisholm added that her complaint about her student’s parents, who wore pajamas as they brought their children to and from school was not a judgement call. According to the Daily Mail, it was simply an attempt to get the parents to set a good example for the children. She went on to say that “We want the very best for our children and we do feel that parents turning up in their pajamas to bring their children to school or for school meetings are setting a bad example to our children.”

“It is not a judgement on the parents — who they are or how they are — we just feel we get the children to come in uniform because we like to be role models and that parents should be the same.”

“If we’re to raise standards it’s not too much to ask parents to have a wash and get dressed,” she added. “I have had loads of support from the community and people saying it’s about time something was done. If I get the parents on board then we often get the children too and in order to get the best chances for the children we have to raise the bar with the parents.”

“I don’t give two hoots how people dress at home, I just think if they’re a good role model for their children and want them to get a job and better yourself then they ought to get dressed.”

Phil Naylor, whose children attend Skerne Park Academy, stated that he supports the school and hopes that Chisholm sending a letter to the parents will make a difference. He added that “It’s disgraceful, we should be guiding our children not giving them bad habits.”

Another parent, Vanessa Watts, 42, whose daughter, Crystal, attends the school as well, stated that she “know some people who turn up in their pajamas so I don’t want to knock them — they can wear what they want — but I personally wouldn’t do it. I like to get dressed to go out. To be honest, it happens so often that I don’t even think I notice it so much anymore. It has become normal.”

Although the head teacher has a number of parents that supports her, there are a few parents that weren’t too fond of the letter and continues to wear pajamas while bringing their children to and from school. Chisholm stated that she has received negative remarks about the letter, but says it “from those people who choose to wear pajamas. But in the next breath they have told me they consider that I dress too nice for work. Us staff have a dress code and the children have a dress code too. It’s about us all feeling part of a team.”

The head teacher added that she is not oblivious to the fact that one letter is not going to make a drastic change, but she says she will continue sending letters home in hopes that it will change the minds of those opt to wear pajamas while bringing their children to and from school.

[Image via Shutterstock]

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