VAN NUYS : Teachers Get Into Spirit of Uniform Look

Not only do the students at Mulholland Middle School in Van Nuys abide by a uniform policy, so do the teachers and administrators.

This semester marks the middle school’s first attempt at enforcing a dress code and uniform policy in which youngsters are required to replace their baggy pants and daisy dukes with white or powder-blue collared shirts with navy slacks, skirts or shorts.

To promote the policy, most of the faculty and staff have purchased clothing for themselves in the designated color scheme of the uniforms, which are imprinted with the school’s insignia.

“Uniforms are a learning tool,” said Principal Alfredo Tarin, who tries to wear white and blue outfits to school every day.

About 70% of faculty and students have purchased the uniforms so far, said teacher Annick Draghi, who also wears the uniform. Some are still waiting for their uniforms to arrive.

“I think it’s a very positive thing that makes the focus on academics,” Draghi said. “They see that it really does look good; it looks nice on the teachers; it looks nice on the students.”

“I wear mine just about every day,” said special education instructor Allen McDaniel, who makes a point of complimenting the students when he sees them wearing the uniforms. “I do it to show the kids that it’s cool, that it’s not all that bad.”

McDaniel said he has seen students checking out their peers to see if they are wearing the uniforms, and slowly warming up to the idea. “I think they are getting into it,” he said.