Uniform Appeal : Color-Coded Clothing Is a Growing Trend at Public Schools

Listen carefully and you can hear the sounds of Farsi, Spanish, Portuguese, Tagalog--at least 15 languages echoing through the stucco corridors of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in diverse southwest Santa Ana.

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But last week, during the second week of the new school year, the clothing on the more than 900 Jefferson pupils was getting more uniform every day, a phenomenon that tends to blur their socioeconomic and ethnic differences.

A voluntary switch to color-coded uniforms is taking hold at Jefferson, one of about 50 elementary schools in Orange County trying them out this fall.

It’s a trend welcomed by many parents concerned about the costs of new clothes, their children’s study habits and the popularity of wanna-be gang attire.

“We can afford them, and I think they look just as nice,” said Olga Barajas in Spanish, her kindergarten son, Jose, nestled under her arm.

Administrators at many schools are reporting that 25% to 30% of children are turning out in uniforms. But at the new Woods Canyon School in Aliso Viejo, Principal Diane Hoff said 65% of her 838 pupils are wearing them.

“I think starting a uniform program in a brand-new school has been an advantage,” Hoff said. “The parents are saying how much cheaper it is and how nice the children look.” She said she sees the uniform phenomenon “growing at our school.”

At Jefferson, boys and girls have a selection of blue or white garments that are on display in the school office. Each article is priced under $10 and can be purchased at K mart, Target or other stores.

The girls have a choice of plaid jumpers, dark blue skirts and sweaters and blue or white blouses.

Last Thursday, Jose Barajas was dressed in the complete boys’ uniform: Dark blue pants, a dark blue sweater with a light blue shirt and a dark blue tie.

“He has learned to tie his tie himself,” his mother said.

While uniforms in Orange County schools remain completely voluntary, some districts elsewhere, like the Long Beach Unified School District, are now requiring them. Historically, Californians have opposed such impositions, but recent passage of a bill authored by Sen. Phil Wyman (R-Tehachapi) shows the attitudes are changing.

These are days of dress codes and uniforms, and many pupils and parents are accepting them willingly, school officials said.

“After surveying the thoughts of the parents, some of our schools decided to try out uniforms this year on an optional, voluntary basis,” said Jacqueline Price, spokeswoman for the 32,000-student Capistrano Unified School District. “We already have a pretty high participation rate.”

She said she liked the Palisades Elementary School sweat shirts so much, she ordered one for herself.

For some Latino children, uniforms are a proud tradition brought from their homelands. Many schools in Mexico and Central America have uniforms.

On the first day of school last week, school officials estimated about 10 pupils in every Jefferson classroom wore the new garb.

“I think the kids are sitting up a little taller because of the pride in how they look,” said Jacquin Terry, principal at the 29-year-old school. “Even on the playground, I think they carry themselves a little more ladylike or gentlemanly-like.”

The uniform idea began in Orange County two years ago at Pio Pico Elementary School in central Santa Ana, where nearly 98% of the pupils are Spanish-speaking.

Parents there expressed concern about clothing costs and the possibility that by their dress the children might be pegged as gang members.

“When the parents first went to the superintendent with the idea, I think they wanted their kids clearly designated as schoolchildren,” said Principal Judith Magsaysay. “But I think the uniforms also offer a sense of purpose. The children understand they are dressed to learn.”