Elementary schools request uniform policy

Judy Seckler

DOWNTOWN -- Requests for changes in school dress policy from two

elementary schools, Mark Keppel and R.D. White, will come before the

Glendale Unified School District today.

Keppel, which has had a volunteer dress code in effect since 1994, now

wants a mandatory policy. Keppel Principal Gordon Morse and volunteer

parents sent out a survey at the end of April.

In the survey, which was completed one week before the fatal stabbing

of Hoover High student Raul Aguirre, families of 836 students, or 91% of

those surveyed, voted yes for mandatory school uniforms. Families of 56

students, or 6%, voted no. Families of 28 students, or 3%, were

undecided.

“What’s hard on kids is if their friends aren’t wearing the uniforms,”

said Emily Young, PTA executive vice president for Keppel Elementary.

“It’s hard to put up with the teasing.”

School Board President Jeanne Bentley thinks school uniforms make a

lot of sense. Gang apparel can be eliminated and children would spend

less time fixating on clothing and morning dress time.

At R.D. White Elementary, a recent parent survey on whether to

implement a school uniform policy received overwhelming support.

“We’re being responsive to parents,” said Jan Homan, R.D. White

principal. If the board votes its approval, the policy will start up

August 1.

IN OTHER ACTION

The Glendale Unified School District Board of Education will meet at

3:30 p.m. today in the administration center at 223 N. Jackson St. for

discussion, information and closed session. The board will meet at 7 p.m.

for acknowledgments, recognitions, consent and action items.

The board will discuss the following items:

* Preparation for school planning meetings that include targets for

the Glendale 2005 Strategic Plan.

* Preliminary results of the Stanford 9 test.

The board will receive information on the following items:

* Resignations.

* City/District Traffic Safety Committee Update.

* Jewel City School update.

The board will take action on the following items:

* Charter School Planning Grant Application.

* Resolution for assistant superintendent to execute documents in the

absence of the superintendent.