When I was in elementary and middle school, my school dictated that all students wear a uniform.
The uniform included a red or white shirt along with blue slacks or a skirt for girls. It also said that boys weren't allowed to wear earrings and our shirts had to be tucked in at all times.
At the time, I hated having to wear a uniform. All my friends who didn't have to wear one to school got to wear their t-shirts and jeans every day. I was envious. Thankfully, my high school didn't have a uniform standard and I took full advantage of that. Jeans are nice to wear when you are used to wearing the same ill-fitting blue slacks everyday.
The Denver Post reported today that the administration of
Montbello High School will require students to wear uniforms during the next school year. There is a similar plan in the works at Lincoln High School, in southwest Denver.
The uniforms at Montbello will consist of a polo-style shirt or a button-down shirt with a pair of slacks or a shirt.
The issue of uniforms in schools can be a heated one, with a history of legal challenges and involvement by groups like the ACLU and parent's groups.
The U.S. Department of Education keeps
a manual on school uniforms that talks about the good aspects of schools adopting uniforms. Of particular interest, the manual says that:
|
The potential benefits of school uniforms include: · Decreasing violence and theft -- even life-threatening situations -- among students over designer clothing or expensive sneakers; · Helping prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school; · Instilling students with discipline; · Helping parents and students resist peer pressure; · Helping students concentrate on their school work; and · Helping school officials recognize intruders who come to the school. |
To read more of the manual,
click here.
But of course, there are concerns with any type of fundamental change in school policy. The National Association of Elementary School Principals, which notes that they do not have an official stance on the adoption of uniforms,
also has a lot to say on the topic.
According to their Web site, in 1997 only three percent of public schools had a uniform requirement for students. According
to the Department of Education Web site:
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| "Uniforms were more likely to be required in schools with a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (11 percent in schools with 75 percent or more free or reduced-price lunch eligibility) compared with schools in which less than 50 percent of students were eligible (2 percent or less). Schools with 50 percent or more minority enrollment were also more likely to require student uniforms than those with lower minority enrollment (13 percent compared with 2 percent or less)." |
Another argument made against having uniforms in public schools is the cost. According to a survey done by USA today and referred to in the same NAESP article, those parents whose kids attend a mandatory uniform school spend an average of $104 per year on uniforms.
It is also important to note that many schools in other countries require school uniforms, as well.
The Montbello and Lincoln experiments will undoubtedly be looked at with much interest by other school principals in DPS and surrounding communities.
What do you think about Montbello and Lincoln having a new uniform policy? You can
post your own story about it or why not
start a blog?
Events
Here are a few things around the east metro area that you can do this weekend.
-Breathing Arts Theater will be presenting Treasure Island as performed by the theater's teen summer class at 7:30 p.m. July 27 and 28 at The Upper Room, 15445 E. Iliff Road, unit B. This show is acceptable for all ages and the cost is a suggested donation after the show. For more information, call 303-690-9011.
-Tagawa Gardens, 7711 S. Parker Road, will be holding a class called Make Your Own Ceramic Pot Fountain from 10 a.m. to noon July 28. This class is free and open to the public. For more information, call 303-690-4722.
-Cherry Creek State Park will be holding a Lake Appreciation Day on July 28 all day at the reservoir, Hampden Avenue and Parker Road. There will be opportunities for volunteer work, fun activities, and to learn more about the reservoir. For more information, call 303-690-1166.
-The Montbello branch library, 12955 Albrook Drive, will be hosting a Summer of Reading Crafts event from 10:30 to 11 a.m. July 27. For more information, call 303-373-0767.
News
-The Aurora Sentinel has a story about an
Aurora committee that wants to add $1.1 million a year to the Aurora budget to help with pensions and adding another municipal courtroom.
-The Denver Post has a story about
officials who will break ground today on a new water-purification plant in Aurora.
-Finally, 9News.com has a story about an
Aurora man who says he served more time in prison than he was supposed to, due to an alleged error by the judge and the prosecutor in the case.
Have a nice weekend!