Is Long Beach Unified School District’s Uniform Program Making the Grade?

When Long Beach Unified School District implemented a precedent-setting experiment with the launch of mandatory uniforms for its students back in 1994, it received kudos not only from parents but from the national media as well.  Heck, even Bill Clinton made a pilgrimage to our fine town to give praise to the idea and lend his personal support to what was then deemed as the “new national cause.”  It’s been some 17 years since LBUSD made the switch from allowing its students to wear street clothes to enforcing a dress code of uniforms for most of its schools. 

Q.  So, is the idea of school uniforms still producing an honor-roll performance or is it failing to allow our kids the opportunity to express their individualism?

Elizabeth Borsting

As a parent of two LBUSD students, one a 2^nd grader and the other a 7^th grader, I applaud the school uniform policy.  There is no decision of “what should I wear to school today” because the decision has been made for you.  In our case it’s a white or navy blue polo shirt paired with a navy blue skirt or pants for my daughter .  My son wears black shorts or pants with a white polo (and Rogers Red if he chooses to wear a sweatshirt).  I might be the only parent that says this, but I wish the dress code was even more strict.  I think that shirts need to have collars, skirts should be at a decent length, skinny jeans should be banned (sorry, they don’t flatter anyone's behind), and tights and socks should be white or navy blue.  Perhaps we should even have a designated store or shop where we purchase our uniforms so that the kids look more “uniform” on their campuses.  I love how the Catholic schools are able to better enforce their dress codes.  Having a uniform policy also eliminates status with no role for designer labels; although many get around this by wearing certain styles of shoes.  I remember when I was a kid and how important it was to wear Dittos to school (the side saddle-style was ultra cool) and Chemin de Fer jeans.  In high school, nothing came between us and our Calvins except a lot of money that our parents how to shell out.  My 8-year-old daughter said to me the other day that she wished she didn’t have to wear a uniform to school. She’s been a clotheshorse since age 3, and I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to get her dressed every morning if there wasn’t a uniform policy (she does about three wardrobe changes a day on the weekend).   Do I like LBUSD’s uniform policy?  No – I love it!

Patricia Tsoiasue

I like the consistency of a school uniform.  The schools are permitted to set their own policies, so that gives the affected community an opportunity for feedback.  This year, we saw an adjustment in the Lowell uniform, to permit navy shirts as well as white.  From the practical view, I know that as long as I have soft white shirts that are one size too big and blue elastic waist cargo pants with at least six pockets (and no buckle to tighten the waist)... I'm set!  I could see how the clothing focus could be a bit distracting for the kids if uniforms were not required.  I don't think that the kids really need a dress-up competition at school.  Also, there is so much hidden meaning in what some clothes and logos represent, that us unaware adults could be totally missing the signals that our child's or child's friends' clothes represent.

Susie Ridgeway

I absolutely love LBUSD uniforms.  I think the kids as a whole look great in the uniforms.   The kids look very put together, even if their hair isn’t combed!  On the practical side, I love being able to go shopping and buy 5 or more white or navy blue shirts and 5 or more pants/skirts/shorts, etc.  I also love being able to do one white load of shirts (bleach a must!) and one dark load and I am done!  I like the fact that the children have school clothes and play clothes- that there is a differentiation between work and play via clothes.  I also think the children are able to be creative in their choices of socks and shoes, etc, so if you have a child with an artsy fartsy flair like my daughter, the children can wear a headband, mismatch their socks or wear funky shoelaces, etc.