The Grand Rapids Times

No More Name Brands, Why Plaids?
GRPS School Board Has Not Voted On Uniform Policy

The Grand Rapids Times
7-25-2008
By Grand Rapids Times Summer Interns

If a select group of students get their way, the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) will institute a district wide policy to require students to wear uniforms.

The suggestion for the uniform policy was brought up for consideration by the Student Advisory council (SAC), a group of students that consists of two representatives from each high school, and one student from each K-8 school.

The students suggested that school uniforms would be required at the middle and high schools unless certain performance standards are met, such as, grade point average, attendance rate, suspension rate and MME participation rate.

According to GRPS Board President Catherine Mueller, the board has not yet acted as a body on the proposal of the uniforms.

“The uniform policy will not be instated at all of the district schools, and the choice to introduce uniforms is up to each school’s discretion”, Mueller said. She went on to add, “The student [current] dress code is still in effect.”

The current dress code for GRPS prohibits sagging pants, houseshoes/ slippers, caps, hats or do-rags, mini-skirts, t-shirts that have offensive pictures, designs, words, ect, tank, halter, see-through or bare mid-riff tops.

Although the board has not acted on the SAC proposal, “The board is impressed,” Muller said, “that they would want the adults to consider the uniform policy.”

There is strong support and reason for why schools should adopt the uniform policy.

According to the recommendations the SAC proposed to the board, the institution of the uniform policy would promote a better school environment.

One of the main arguments for uniforms is that students would be in a “worry free” environment, in the words of Jerry McComb, outgoing principal of Martin Luther King Leadership Academy.

McComb went on to add that “[there] is a since of comfort knowing they are dressed like me.”

Students would not have to worry about being mocked about the clothes they are wearing compared to that of their fellow classmates.

Jose Capelas, a student representive on the board of education, echoed this sentiment saying, “School is not a fashion show. It’s about getting an education.”

Martin Luther King Leadership Academy is one of seven elementary and middle schools that already require uniforms.

The others are: Alexander Elementary School, Burton Elementary School, Mulick Park Elementary, Southeast Academic Center, and Burton Middle.

Central High School is the first of the GRPS high schools to adopt a uniform policy.

Beginning this fall, students at Central High School, after taking a school wide survey among parents and students, decided that they would be wearing uniforms for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year.

Central is not a pilot school for the SAC proposal.

According to reports, Central’s administration was considering uniforms before the student advisory committee brought the proposal to the board.

The uniforms may not be the cure all to the challenges of education among today’s secondary education students, but may be a step in the right direction.

According to John Helmholdt, the school district’s Director of Communications and External Affairs, studies throughout the nation have demonstrated that school uniforms may have a positive impact on academic achievement, student behavior, school safety, and overall school unity.

One of the reasons that Central instituted uniforms was the safety of their students.

“Safety is a issue, when it comes to our students,” according to Art Gardner, principal of Central High School.

With the uniforms, students of their respective schools are easily identified when they are going to and from school.

Also, with the increasing gang activity, wearing uniforms will eliminate wearing gang paraphernalia.

Although academic standards are expected to increase with the institution of uniforms, both Gardner and McComb do not see a direct correlation between uniforms and the improvement of academics.
Another issue is cost.

Rumor has it that the cost of the uniforms may be out of the price range for some families.
That may not be true.

With the poor economy, uniforms are becoming a reasonable alternative for families struggling to feed and clothe their families.

According to Educational Outfitters, the shop supplying the uniforms, the average cost for an entire uniform purchased would be $86 dollars. This includes a polo shirt, the optional sweater vest, a skirt or Khaki pants.

This price seems more reasonable than the average cost of one new back to school outfit, with designer gym shoes starting at $150.

There may be ways for parents to work around the cost.

MLK Academy has developed a uniform closet where students can donate uniforms as they outgrow them.

If a family cannot afford a uniform, uniforms will be provided for them.

MLK is also grateful for the donations they have received, according to Principal McComb.

McComb believes that uniforms are “one of the best things done to the school.”

Whether or not the board acts in favor on a district wide uniform policy, one thing is for sure – they are very proud of the members of SAC.

GRPS Superintendent Dr. Bernard Taylor said, “I want to commend the Student Advisory council for their bold leadership on the dress code issue,” Board President Mueller went on to add.” We are proud they (Student Advisory Committee) have taken the imitative to care about their schools.”

Participants in Jubilee Jobs Yes –4–You Program who are Grand Rapids Times summer interns, ages 14 to 18, grades 9 through college freshman, contributed to this article: Kenneth Cason, Marcel Gamble, Storee Harris, Jalynn Lassic, Asia Shipp, and Donshae Vance.