To think I have not read the school newsletter wrong

[Pumpkinette]

DH dropped DD at school this morning in her tartan dress (burns day celebrations) and apparently she was the only child not in school uniform.

The newsletter states:

'Children are encouraged to wear something tartan that day but it will not be the non uniform day which will be the first Friday of the month, Friday 6 February (not January - too many demands on funds!)'

I read this as wear something tartan if you want, but is not the usual non uniform day (as in it won't cost you £1 like it normally does). Have I got this wrong?

I should also say I suspect DH is being overly dramatic with her being the only child in the whole school. He said he did see a boy with a tartan scarf on - I suspect some will be wearing tartan things in other classes and perhaps not visible under coats etc.

Sorry first world problems - I know.

Um, I read it as wear a tartan hair band or something on top of the uniform.

I would have read it as you did.

Whether we are correct or not is a different matter

Did your DH say that DD was upset? If she's fine then don't give it another thought.

Was it a pinny dress with the uniform underneath? Because I read that as school uniform with tartan accessories, maybe tartan hair bands, scarfs or ribbons as opposed to something non-uniform. Non-uniform, as I read it, is in two weeks time, so whilst there might be other children totally dressed in tartan, I do think you read that wrong.

I would have gone with uniform and something tartan. Every non uniform/theme day causes a huge flurry of post on the year FB page. No one ever understands the instructions

I read it as tartan accessories only.

As others, I think it means accessories - head bands, ribbons, etc.

I would have read as tartan accessories, rather than fully tartan, but can see how ou read it as you did.

Tbh the phrasing is so faffy, I doubt your DD was the only one. Meh! As long as she's happy and didn't get in trouble, it's fine

They should have been more clear.

Tartan accessories only.

They have given you the date for the non uniform day.

"it will not be the non uniform day" = it will be a uniform day

I read it as accessories only

We had this with xmas jumper day, I like another mum when we arrived at school thought it was xmas jumper in addition to normal uniform, viewing other children it was non uniform regardless of xmas jumper.

but it will not be the non uniform day - this means should be wearing uniform! They could have worded it better and said "wear uniform as usual and bring tartan accessories if you have them".

Are they teaching English in this school that your dd attends? The wording in the newsletter was terrible, and not very concise.

World book day was also 'not a non uniform day' at ours. The idea was that they came dressed as a character, not anything they wanted.

The English language can easily be ambiguous.

She didn't seem that upset but she is a sensitive child and might have got upset once in class and released everyone else is in uniform.

CSI- It's not a pinny dress with uniform - it's a proper dress. I do think they should have been a bit clearer with the wording.

I had a similar issue on halloween with the school - they said class parties in the afternoon as usual. Of course that time DD was the only one to turn up in uniform and not fancy dress. How was I supposed to know what as usual meant? Its our first year at the school. I even asked the teacher the day before and she didn't have a clue as it's her first year at the school too.

Don't worry OP. DD1s first year and we did the opposite of everyone else on 3 occasions. Though in fairness, she wasn't the only one so the school looked at their lack of communication and this year has been fine.

I have learned never to 'think' when it comes to school newsletters...

We have this issue with school. They sent a letter to say "Children will be participating in sport all day so wear appropriate clothing."

I sent DD in trainers and joggers...her school uniform PE kit was in school...others did as I did whilst others sent them in uniform assuming they could change. How hard is it to say "Sports all day, children may get into their PE kits when they arrive" or something!

I agree that "not the non uniform day" could have easily meant it's not the one where they have to pay £1 - especially if you've already misinterpreted the wear something tartan" message. The instruction can be taken both ways and it's an easy mistake to have made.

Newsletters in DD's school are diabolical, too, and I have been in a similar position to you.

A biggish school, with full-time admin staff. A simple message to convey. Just say it. With simple sentences, not one long, contradictory, hopelessly woolly, 6-line-long sentence. How hard can it be? Seriously.

Rant over I need to get out more

I used to work with a woman who loved "management speak". She once sent out a letter that made no sense and contradicted itself several times. I think as Albert Einstein said "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."

I would have thought the same as you. Any time we have a day where they are asked to wear something like that nobody wear uniform.

Why are so many schools do awful at sitting simple letters. You'd think the English teachers could at least proof read them.