BURBANK : School’s New Uniforms Get High Marks

The reviews are in for George Washington Elementary School’s new red, white and blue uniforms: “Cool.”

“But I think what they should do is put a little Dockers symbol on it, to make it even better,” said Shawn Wood, a fashion-conscious fifth-grader, after the new uniforms were modeled in a special assembly Wednesday morning.

“They’re cool, but not much,” said Danny Moreno, another fifth-grader who with his friends prefers the bigger, baggy look in fashion. But they still liked the uniforms.

George Washington is the first Burbank public school to convert to the uniforms. School officials and parents are hoping that the uniforms will give youngsters a sense of belonging and discourage them from the baggy look that they fear draws the attention of gangs.

The students will start wearing the uniforms in their second semester, which begins at the end of January. The uniforms are voluntary, but a survey of parents earlier this year showed an overwhelming support for them.

“I like them but my Mom and Dad don’t think I should have them if I’m only going to be here for a few more months,” said Stephanie Shatt, another fifth-grader, who will move on to middle school next year.

Money was an issue for some parents, who worried that the $100 for all the items in the uniforms was a bit much. Principal Joan Baca said some uniforms have been donated by the uniform company to the neediest of children, and a $200 scholarship has been set up to help poorer students afford the clothes.

And some parents said they would save money because they would not have to worry about buying new clothes.

“I can dress my two kids for the year for under $200,” said Cheryl Campbell, who has a daughter in third grade and a son in first grade. “That’s a good deal of savings nowadays.”

The uniforms will also spare children from competition over who has the best clothes. Indeed, the fact that they will all look somewhat alike was not lost on the students, who had suggestions on how to maintain a sense of uniqueness in the face of the new uniforms.

Fifth-grader Patrick O’Neil suggested using name tags, “so we can tell each other apart.”