School Slips Into Something More Comfortable: Uniforms

For third-grader Andrew Kim, wearing his new school uniform--navy blue trousers and a white pullover shirt--makes life just a little easier.

“Now I don’t need to think about what I’m going to wear and I don’t have to look all around for my clothes,” he said. “Wearing the uniform makes me feel special, too.”

On Monday, Mark Keppel Elementary School became the third school in Glendale and the latest Southland elementary campus to try on voluntary parochial-style uniforms for size. More than two-thirds of the school’s 1,200 students were joined by several teachers and administrators in wearing the new school garb.

“We have so many different cultures at our school and this brings all the students together in a way that nothing else can,” said third-grade teacher Lorna Till.

Administrators said they tried to make sure that the uniforms would be affordable to all. A parent committee chose a line of clothing from Nordstrom that costs $9 to $21 for each piece.

Girls’ uniforms are white blouses and navy blue jumpers, while the boys wear white pullover shirts and navy pants.

School officials said they were inspired by the success of voluntary uniform programs last year in Long Beach and the Santa Clarita Valley.

Students at Cerritos School in southern Glendale and Fremont School in western Glendale began wearing uniforms when the fall semester began Sept. 8. At all three campuses, the style and color of the uniforms were chosen by committees made up of parents, staff and/or students. The logo on the Keppel uniform, which shows a book and pencil above the school’s name, was designed by sixth-grader Danny Davari in a schoolwide contest.

“It really does instill a sense of pride in the kids,” said Lynne Soule-Maggio, a past Keppel PTA president and parent of two students. “It’s also much easier to put a uniform on my daughter than fight over what’s she’s going to wear each morning.”