THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511160720
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: TEENS AT LARGE
SOURCE: BY DeANNE BRADLEY, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
During the last few years dozens of studies have been published that say that students are learning less in school.
One recent report found that American students spend more time watching television than they do attending school. And anyone who has been in a school lately knows that for many teens and pre-teens, learning is a second priority to appearance and image.
But some schools - public and private - are finding that uniforms can make a difference.
The students at St. Pius X School in Norfolk have worn uniforms for years. Girls wear blue-and-white plaid, pleated skirts, white shirts, navy blue vests, navy blue knee socks and regulation shoes. The only jewelry permitted are post earrings and necklaces with cross pendants. Hair must be off of the shoulders, and nail polish and makeup are not permitted.
Boys wear navy blue pants, white shirts and ties.
On Tuesdays the students may wear name-brand tennis shoes because the students wear their gym uniforms to school. Occasionally, students may dress out of uniform, but some restrictions still apply. Girls must wear dresses, and the boys must wear a tie.
Theresa Maedler, 13, an eighth-grader at St. Pius, has no hang-ups with the strict policy. The uniforms make her life much easier because she doesn't have to slave over finding name-brand clothes, she said. And because everyone is dressed alike, it relieves peer pressure.
``I think (uniforms) are cool. I like them a lot,'' Theresa said.
April Cullen, 13, also an eighth-grade student, said that uniforms cut down on stress when she is getting ready for school in the morning. She added that the uniforms allow more emphasis on education. It's an idea that public schools should consider, she said.
``In public high schools uniforms could cause some controversy,'' April said, ``but with the right approach they could possibly be a success.''
Sister Anne T. Carol, principal at St. Pius, is pleased with the effects of uniforms. She holds the uniform policy partially responsible for the minimal behavior problems and an environment that is conducive to education.
Teachers at St. Pius have similar opinions. Teacher Mary Ryan says she believes that uniforms have formed a bond of unity between the students.
Because uniforms have been linked to outstanding educational surroundings, students at Ruffner Middle School in Norfolk began wearing uniforms this school year.
Linda J. Dennis, a teacher for the emotionally disturbed at Ruffner, is very pleased with the results. She said that it has led to a sense of community in the building.
At Ruffner, color variations in the uniforms identify the students by grade level. Sixth-graders wear navy blue bottoms and sky blue shirts. Navy blue bottoms and pale yellow shirts are worn by the seventh-graders. Eighth-graders dress in navy blue bottoms and white shirts.
``Behavior is better, academics are better and the lunch rooms are a lot quieter'' than last year, Dennis said.
Michael Stewart, 11, a sixth-grade student at Ruffner, likes the policy.
``My first reaction was, `Oh well, I have no choice,' '' Michael said.
Now he says there is less peer pressure and there has been considerably less teasing. The number of physical confrontations also have dropped dramatically, he said.
Delano Odom, 13, an eighth-grader at Ruffner, also is pleased with the results. Even though he says he believes there was not enough student input during the decision-making process, Delano says that the change is not as bad as many students think it is.
So what would high school students think if they were made to wear uniforms?
Jessica Lawrence, 14, a freshman at Maury High School, said she would be delighted if the policy were to be put into effect. And even if students protested, an acceptable compromise would be to dress out of uniform at least one day out of the week, she said.
But Jason Dean, 14, also a freshman at Maury, is not so optimistic.
``Teenagers,'' Jason said, ``will always find a way to put pressure on others.'' ILLUSTRATION: ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DeAnne Bradley is a Maury High School freshman.
by CNB