school uniforms growing in favor in california
by:Collarblend Uniform
2020-02-22
SEPT.
1994 this is a digital version of an article from The Times Print Archive, before it starts online in 1996.
To keep these articles as they appear initially, the Times will not change, edit, or update them.
There are occasional copywriting errors or other problems during the digitization process.
Please send a report of such issues to archid_feedback @ nytimes. com.
A new department store specializing in school uniforms in a local department store, surrounded by white shirts and dark blue shorts, 7-year-
Old Sean Smith shakes from his shopping cart, proudly holds his chest and shows his favorite T-shirt.
\"I want to wear my own clothes,\" he said, as his mother pulled out a white shirt from a row in front of him.
\"These clothes look strange. They\'re ugly.
\"Sean is not lucky.
He\'s in the public school district here, tired of loose jeans, oversized T-
Shirts, headscarves and other gang costumes have become the first urban system in the United States to require students to wear school uniforms.
And the new Long Beach policy, which applies to 57,000 children in primary and secondary schools in the district, has now led the country to enact a law that encourages school boards elsewhere to pass similar regulations.
Across the country, the impact of the Long Beach model does not stop at the state line.
All over the country, other urban areas are closely watched.
Dick van der LA, spokesman for the Long Beach United School District, noted that Baltimore is already experimenting with school uniform requirements, as are Los Angeles and San Diego, who added that, he also received phone calls from interested principals and school boards in New York City, Miami, El Paso and Seattle.
The advertisement \"we are really the prototype of this kind of thing \".
Van der la said.
\"Every big city in AmericaS.
Have been focusing on gangs.
Their clothes are really an unofficial uniform of intimidation.
\"Advertising campaigns need more traditional uniforms ---
White shirt or shirt, black or navy trousers or skirt--
Since five years ago, the Long Beach district has given principals the option to adopt this requirement in individual schools.
Those who do so quickly find that their students are doing better, performing better, and absent less often than before, the area said.
So nine months ago, the region decided to enforce uniforms this fall.
The requirement now applies only to primary and secondary schools, where parents have the greatest need for it, and the region wants to influence the youngest students to nip their fantasies about gang costumes in the bud.
But if the project proves to be effective, it may be extended to Long Beach high school.
National action the region\'s initiative has spurred action by California\'s Legislature
In August, a measure signed by the government into law was adopted.
Pete Wilson last week developed a program for the school boards elsewhere in the state to adopt their own code.
It is hoped that the provisions of the new law will help protect the commission from the challenge of civil liberties.
One of the provisions requires school districts to seek advice from parents, teachers and principals before adopting a uniform code.
The second requirement is to notify parents six months before any such code comes into force.
There is also a reason why parents have the opportunity to prove to the board that their children should not be required to wear uniforms for good reasons and thus opt out.
In Long Beach, the precise appearance of any school uniform is mostly left to the principal, although regulations in the area explicitly allow students of any kind to wear shorts and polo shirts (
Color specified by School)
As a substitute for trousers and dress shirts or skirts and shirts.
The code generally does not apply to jackets or other coats.
Because some parents told the region that they could not afford a uniform of $30 or $40, the school system is now working with retailers and public interest groups to help low-income people
In this way, there will be no income families without a child.
The area is also looking at the possibility of establishing a unified recycling center where pants, shirts, shorts, shirts and skirts will be passed on by older students to younger students.
While most parents seem enthusiastic, this code is not accepted by everyone.
The American Civil Liberties Union says the program is \"meaningless\" to combat gang intimidation \".
\"A local lawyer for a child who is a student in the region sued the school system on the grounds that the code restricts freedom of expression.
Some even pulled their children out of schools in the area.
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George Simmons, who works at a local gas station, said he will now have his 13-year-
Her sister, shamella, attends a nearby school.
\"Uniforms can\'t solve any problems,\" he said . \"
\"The gang will still be there;
They only wear loose uniforms.
The ad and Susan Kelsey bought a uniform for her at the age of 13. year-
The old daughter of Target department store here the other day said that if all the students wear school uniforms, then
Children who perform well may not be able to find trouble makers so easily.
\"Must it be good that a child can\'t know gang members on his own campus? \" Mrs. Kelsey said.
\"I don\'t think so.
But the general view is that school uniforms will only improve the atmosphere in the classroom.
\"Of course, the children will hate this because it takes away their personality,\" said another customer, Melanie Valls, accompanied by her daughter . \".
\"But it\'s time for them to understand that the school is doing their homework.
Valentino le weiov, who went shopping with his two sons, said: \"My family doesn\'t have low-hanging jeans.
I think the dress code will also help to exclude gang elements from school.
\"There is some evidence that, most of it is anecdotal, there has been a decline in violence and a rise in performance in schools that have tried school uniforms.
For example, after A primary and secondary school Newcomb Academy in the Long Beach district chose school uniforms last year, disciplinary issues dropped, A and B rose by 17%, said school colleague Joseph palambo, F down 9%director.
The school now has the highest attendance rate in the region.
A survey by the school this year found that all teachers and 80% of parents in the school supported standardized student dress.
\"We advocate academics and children want to be involved . \"Palumbo said.
\"They prove that people will always rise to your level of expectation if expectations are true.
\"Many parents have asked Long Beach to extend its program to high school.
\"This is definitely in the discussion,\" he said . \"
District spokesman Van der Lahn.
\"We find that the most chilling effect on the personality of students is not wearing uniforms;
It\'s surrounded by other kids in gang attire.
Whether it\'s a fluffy bag or a red banner, it\'s daunting.
Alma liken, 16year-
She said she and most of her friends won\'t object to giving up their loose jeans, doublesized T-Shirts and premium
Top sneakers with wool laces.
She points to her sister, Ms. Malena, who is proudly wearing school uniforms and is shopping for a new model
Liken said the uniform helped her sister avoid trouble.
\"I think it\'s good for her . \"
\"Said Levis, who looked down at himself.
\"Sometimes people mistake me for being a gang member and I get harassed.
But she won\'t.
\"A version of this article appeared on page 1001008 of the National edition in September 3, 1994, titled: School uniforms in California are becoming more and more popular.
1994 this is a digital version of an article from The Times Print Archive, before it starts online in 1996.
To keep these articles as they appear initially, the Times will not change, edit, or update them.
There are occasional copywriting errors or other problems during the digitization process.
Please send a report of such issues to archid_feedback @ nytimes. com.
A new department store specializing in school uniforms in a local department store, surrounded by white shirts and dark blue shorts, 7-year-
Old Sean Smith shakes from his shopping cart, proudly holds his chest and shows his favorite T-shirt.
\"I want to wear my own clothes,\" he said, as his mother pulled out a white shirt from a row in front of him.
\"These clothes look strange. They\'re ugly.
\"Sean is not lucky.
He\'s in the public school district here, tired of loose jeans, oversized T-
Shirts, headscarves and other gang costumes have become the first urban system in the United States to require students to wear school uniforms.
And the new Long Beach policy, which applies to 57,000 children in primary and secondary schools in the district, has now led the country to enact a law that encourages school boards elsewhere to pass similar regulations.
Across the country, the impact of the Long Beach model does not stop at the state line.
All over the country, other urban areas are closely watched.
Dick van der LA, spokesman for the Long Beach United School District, noted that Baltimore is already experimenting with school uniform requirements, as are Los Angeles and San Diego, who added that, he also received phone calls from interested principals and school boards in New York City, Miami, El Paso and Seattle.
The advertisement \"we are really the prototype of this kind of thing \".
Van der la said.
\"Every big city in AmericaS.
Have been focusing on gangs.
Their clothes are really an unofficial uniform of intimidation.
\"Advertising campaigns need more traditional uniforms ---
White shirt or shirt, black or navy trousers or skirt--
Since five years ago, the Long Beach district has given principals the option to adopt this requirement in individual schools.
Those who do so quickly find that their students are doing better, performing better, and absent less often than before, the area said.
So nine months ago, the region decided to enforce uniforms this fall.
The requirement now applies only to primary and secondary schools, where parents have the greatest need for it, and the region wants to influence the youngest students to nip their fantasies about gang costumes in the bud.
But if the project proves to be effective, it may be extended to Long Beach high school.
National action the region\'s initiative has spurred action by California\'s Legislature
In August, a measure signed by the government into law was adopted.
Pete Wilson last week developed a program for the school boards elsewhere in the state to adopt their own code.
It is hoped that the provisions of the new law will help protect the commission from the challenge of civil liberties.
One of the provisions requires school districts to seek advice from parents, teachers and principals before adopting a uniform code.
The second requirement is to notify parents six months before any such code comes into force.
There is also a reason why parents have the opportunity to prove to the board that their children should not be required to wear uniforms for good reasons and thus opt out.
In Long Beach, the precise appearance of any school uniform is mostly left to the principal, although regulations in the area explicitly allow students of any kind to wear shorts and polo shirts (
Color specified by School)
As a substitute for trousers and dress shirts or skirts and shirts.
The code generally does not apply to jackets or other coats.
Because some parents told the region that they could not afford a uniform of $30 or $40, the school system is now working with retailers and public interest groups to help low-income people
In this way, there will be no income families without a child.
The area is also looking at the possibility of establishing a unified recycling center where pants, shirts, shorts, shirts and skirts will be passed on by older students to younger students.
While most parents seem enthusiastic, this code is not accepted by everyone.
The American Civil Liberties Union says the program is \"meaningless\" to combat gang intimidation \".
\"A local lawyer for a child who is a student in the region sued the school system on the grounds that the code restricts freedom of expression.
Some even pulled their children out of schools in the area.
Please click on the box to verify that you are not a robot.
The email address is invalid. Please re-enter.
You must select the newsletter you want to subscribe.
View all New York Times newsletters.
George Simmons, who works at a local gas station, said he will now have his 13-year-
Her sister, shamella, attends a nearby school.
\"Uniforms can\'t solve any problems,\" he said . \"
\"The gang will still be there;
They only wear loose uniforms.
The ad and Susan Kelsey bought a uniform for her at the age of 13. year-
The old daughter of Target department store here the other day said that if all the students wear school uniforms, then
Children who perform well may not be able to find trouble makers so easily.
\"Must it be good that a child can\'t know gang members on his own campus? \" Mrs. Kelsey said.
\"I don\'t think so.
But the general view is that school uniforms will only improve the atmosphere in the classroom.
\"Of course, the children will hate this because it takes away their personality,\" said another customer, Melanie Valls, accompanied by her daughter . \".
\"But it\'s time for them to understand that the school is doing their homework.
Valentino le weiov, who went shopping with his two sons, said: \"My family doesn\'t have low-hanging jeans.
I think the dress code will also help to exclude gang elements from school.
\"There is some evidence that, most of it is anecdotal, there has been a decline in violence and a rise in performance in schools that have tried school uniforms.
For example, after A primary and secondary school Newcomb Academy in the Long Beach district chose school uniforms last year, disciplinary issues dropped, A and B rose by 17%, said school colleague Joseph palambo, F down 9%director.
The school now has the highest attendance rate in the region.
A survey by the school this year found that all teachers and 80% of parents in the school supported standardized student dress.
\"We advocate academics and children want to be involved . \"Palumbo said.
\"They prove that people will always rise to your level of expectation if expectations are true.
\"Many parents have asked Long Beach to extend its program to high school.
\"This is definitely in the discussion,\" he said . \"
District spokesman Van der Lahn.
\"We find that the most chilling effect on the personality of students is not wearing uniforms;
It\'s surrounded by other kids in gang attire.
Whether it\'s a fluffy bag or a red banner, it\'s daunting.
Alma liken, 16year-
She said she and most of her friends won\'t object to giving up their loose jeans, doublesized T-Shirts and premium
Top sneakers with wool laces.
She points to her sister, Ms. Malena, who is proudly wearing school uniforms and is shopping for a new model
Liken said the uniform helped her sister avoid trouble.
\"I think it\'s good for her . \"
\"Said Levis, who looked down at himself.
\"Sometimes people mistake me for being a gang member and I get harassed.
But she won\'t.
\"A version of this article appeared on page 1001008 of the National edition in September 3, 1994, titled: School uniforms in California are becoming more and more popular.