Uniforms for Newport Students?

Newport Public School students won't be required to wear uniforms this fall, but they may have to in the future, if the School Committee continues to move forward with the idea.

At the Aug. 10 School Committee meeting, Chairwoman Jo Eva Gaines announced that she recently contacted Sen. Teresa Paiva-Weed to obtain the enabling legislation that would be required, should the school district decide at some point to try and implement a uniform policy.

Gaines said the parents she's spoken to have expressed a "strong interest" in the idea. Committee Member Patrick Kelly added that he heard "full support" for uniforms while gathering ballot signatures this summer. Other committee members said the key is properly enforcing whatever dress code policy the district decides to use and giving parents enough time to prepare for it.

The idea certainly isn't favored by everyone these days. The Rhode Island chapter of the ACLU filed an appeal on Aug. 18 to challenge the Woonsocket School District's new mandatory uniform policy, which goes into effect this fall and requires students to wear maroon or gray shirts, with no logos, black or khaki pants, and black, brown or white shoes.

The ACLU, in representing four parents and their children, says such policies restrict students freedom of speech and add an unnecessary financial burden onto the parents and guardians who have to buy the new clothing.

"We reject the knee-jerk notion that simplistic policies like mandatory school uniforms can somehow help address the deep-seated academic and financial problems that urban schools like Woonsocket face," ACLU Executive Director Steven Brown said in a release. "Empirical research on school uniforms confirms that skepticism. Uniforms may be useful in prison and the military, but they are totally out of place in our public schools, and a diversion from the more challenging steps that must be taken in an effort to better those schools."

Whether Newport continues to pursue the idea will partly depend on the feedback it gets from residents and parents. Thus, Patch recently spoke to several Newporters to hear their thoughts on the issue.

"I don't mind the idea. It would make things easier on many levels, particularly socially, organizationally, and financially speaking, but my 11-year-old daughter would hate to lose the creative expression that choosing her wardrobe gives her." Karyn Whitaker, parent of children at Cranston-Calvert School and Thompson Middle School

"I don't know. I used to live in New York, and I know how it is when kids see a pair of sneakers and they're like 'I want those sneakers,' and things happen and stuff gets stolen, but it's tough to restrict people's freedom. You go to school and everybody's different and that's what is cool about going to school. Everyone's got different stuff. It's not a social gathering for people. It is school, and education comes first, but you can't hold down freedom." Michael Woodson, Newport resident

"I am not for it. Underwood has offered an optional uniform, khakis and a white/blue polo shirt. It was not successful. I think kids should be comfortable in what they choose to wear. If children are not comfortable it could interfere with their learning. I personally would have a horrible morning trying to get my son to wear what he calls 'Church Clothes' everyday." Megan Jones, parent at Underwood School

"I respect everyone's opinions, but I am opposed to uniforms for Newport Public Schools. One of the reasons I have my kids in public schools is so they can express themselves and exert their independence." Kathy Laviguer, parent of two Underwood School students and one Thompson Middle School student

"I would be all for uniforms in public schools. Anything to help level the playing field is a step in the right direction. School isn't about what you are wearing, and uniforms would help the kids focus more on their studies, and less on their appearance." Jodi Marvelle, parent of two children at Underwood School

"I think that it is probably a good thing because it's an equalizer and it takes out the financial aspect where some kids have the hot new jeans and some don't. I think it's nice because it makes parents' lives easier because they don't have to fight quite as much in the morning. As long as it doesn't cause undue financial burden, but chances are the clothes that the schools want are cheaper than the clothes that the kids want." Catie Benzak, parent of Emmanuel Day School pre-schooler