Norwalk : Waite School to Ask Pupils to Wear Uniform Colors

Students at a Norwalk elementary school will be encouraged to take part in a voluntary uniform program. Starting next month, officials at Waite Elementary School will ask students to wear clothes in the school colors: royal blue and gold.

“We’re really encouraging everyone to show their spirit and pride by wearing them,” Principal Mike Smith said. “We want the students to wear whatever clothes they want to express their own individuality, while wearing the blue and gold.”

Expressions of individuality will not extend to attire associated with gangs. Students may not wear black and white, black and gray, or any clothing advertising sports teams such as the Los Angeles Raiders, Los Angeles Kings or Chicago White Sox.

“These clothes detract from the real reason students are here,” Smith said. “They really come to school to learn. The purpose is to get an education. We don’t want anyone identified as a gang affiliate and getting beat up or worse.”

Officials hope that uniforms will provide an alternative to dressing in gang style as well as “dressing to impress” in expensive designer clothes.

The school will sell T-shirts, polo shirts and sweat shirts bearing the school logo on the front and a panther, the school’s mascot, on the back. Prices range from $6 to $12.

Last year, 70% of the parents surveyed at the school, which includes kindergarten through seventh grade, approved of uniforms. Trustees of the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District also have given their blessing to the plan.