Midwest Freelancer archive article
Attitudes mixed on St. Peter uniform policy
(Published Wednesday, April 5, 2006) 
Image Courtesy French Toast School Uniforms
By Chris Post/Midwest Freelancer
In a move that has received mixed reviews from parents, the St. Peter School Board of Education voted recently to institute a uniform policy.
Under the policy, which takes effect at the start of the next school year, male students will be required to wear pants or shorts that are navy or khaki while female students will have the additional options of skits and jumpers. The uniforms also include button down or polo style shirts in white, navy or red, as well as sweaters, sweater vests and crewneck sweatshirts in navy and turtlenecks in white.
Gary Littrell, principal at St. Peter, said the issue of uniforms has come up several times during his three-year tenure. The first time, the issue did not have strong support and was allowed to drop. However, he said, the most recent drive had stronger backing and a survey completed by 70 percent of the school’s parents showed 67 percent were in favor of uniforms.
Littrell said the move to uniforms brings St. Peter in line with the majority of parochial schools in Missouri.
“I don't believe there are many, if any elementary schools in the Jefferson City diocese that do not have uniforms,” he said. “I know for sure that Pilot Grove, Glasgow, Tipton, Sacred Heart and Booneville (the other 5 schools in our region) do.”
Littrell said it is hoped that the uniform policy will promote school identity and a sense of belonging in students, enhance the school’s identity in the community, improve student behavior, reduce distractions in the classroom, help students resist peer pressure, reduce social differences, ease the identification of non-students and intruders and increase the convenience of parents and students in getting ready in the morning.
Many parents agree with Littrell’s assessment and are looking forward to the change. Sarah Haug is among those who like the ease of uniforms. She said when her children attended Catholic school in Independence, mornings were different.
“There were no arguments about what to wear,” she said. “Our mornings with uniforms were calmer and hassle-free from clothing issues.”
Mark Adderley also remembers the convenience of uniforms.
“I've been sending my kids to Catholic schools for over ten years, and St. Peter is the first that didn't insist on a uniform policy,” he said. “I've been held up countless times because one of my kids wanted to wear something that was scruffy or unacceptable to school.”
There are other reasons parents are in favor of the uniforms as well. Ron Renard said that in addition to fostering a team spirit among students it also lets them know that more is being expected of them.
“I believe it presents an environment of learning that is a put to a higher standard,” he said. “Isn't that one of the reasons we send our children to a private school, to put them in a situation which is better than what is offered at public school?”
Adderley also believes student performance will improve with the new policy.
“All the studies I've seen indicate that, when kids aren't concentrating on what they're wearing, they can use their minds for studying,” he said. “There is a correlation between uniforms and higher grades.”
Virginia Sprigg, who attended both St. Peter and Mercy Academy, is now the grandmother of St. Peter students. She said that in her day, uniforms were required and she remembers them being a positive part of the education process.
“We had school uniforms for all 12 grades,” Sprigg said. “I remember the uniforms gave distinction to our school and we were proud to wear them.”
Sprigg, Adderley and Haug all expressed their belief that the uniforms will also help to ease the social burdens of students.
“Uniforms are a great leveler--the rich kids and the poor kids don't look significantly different,” Adderley said.
“Sure wearing uniforms will not completely put everyone on the same level economically, but at least when everyone arrives at school they are all dressed the same,” Haug said. “No one has to feel uncomfortable that they do not fit in because they cannot afford a certain type of clothing. School uniforms will never solve the social issues in our schools. However, I feel uniforms can help our children focus their attention on learning rather than focusing on who is wearing what.”
Not everyone is happy with the new policy, however. The cost, restricted availability and overall necessity of the uniforms were questioned by parents opposed to the policy.
Andrea Henke, who has three children enrolled at St. Peter, cited an eight-year study by David Brunsma that found many of the schools that adopt a uniform policy are poorer schools and that it does not improve the education of the students.
“This policy was railroaded through by the few members who want to place uniforms (straight jackets) on their children so they don't have to argue with their children on what to wear to school,” she said. “What has happened to the parents doing their job?”
Henke also argued against the idea that St. Peter should try to set itself apart from the community with uniforms.
“To stand out in the community, let's have our graduates stand out in the high school with a better education,” she said.” Let’s produce children who are not afraid to stand up and speak in public behind a podium, on a stage or in class. Let's take the top percentage of the graduating class.”
Haskell Reynolds, Shirley Bosley and Brenda Castle all challenged the notion that students will concentrate more on their work if they wear a uniform.
“I do not feel that what a person wears is going to make their grades any better, or make them smarter,” Castle said.
Bosley agreed, saying, “I feel that our kids are genuinely good kids already. Uniforms don't make someone become a better person.”
Reynolds also called into question the security benefits of have students dressing similarly. “It would also help identify a child who did not belong there because they would not be in uniform?” he said. “Is St. Peter such a large school that the teachers and staff do not know each and every student there?”
Parents like Bosley, Castle and Bretta Colindres are among those concerned about the expense of the uniforms, which must originate from French Toast or Parker School Uniforms to ensure color matching.
“The school is offering $30 to help with this, but that won't buy much these days,” Castle said, noting that the jumpers from Parker School Uniforms cost $50 each.
“I feel also that this will be a huge expense to most people, and not everyone will be able to afford such stringent guidelines,” Bosley said. “Sometimes something that could be a good thing can end up a bad thing when carried too far.”
French Toast uniforms are available online and through the store’s catalog, but can also be found in retail stores. According to the company’s Web site, its uniforms are available at Target, Sears and Big Kmart locations in Independence, Jefferson City and Kansas City. These stores are between 60 and 75 miles from Marshall. One local store, Too Good To Be Through, will also offer the uniforms. Store owner Tracey Hartley, was a member of the committee that recommended the uniform policy, but stepped down prior to the announcement that her shop would stock the uniforms.
In an effort to help parents offset the cost of buying their child’s initial uniforms, arrangements have been made to receive donated uniforms from Nativity of Mary School of Independence. These clothes are free of charge to anyone and will be set up on tables in one corner of the St. Peter gym from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the April 10 and 11 and from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 12.
On Tuesday, April 25, representatives from Parker School Uniforms will be at the school from 2:30 to 7 p.m. with samples for students to try on.
Image Courtesy French Toast School Uniforms
By Chris Post/Midwest Freelancer
In a move that has received mixed reviews from parents, the St. Peter School Board of Education voted recently to institute a uniform policy.
Under the policy, which takes effect at the start of the next school year, male students will be required to wear pants or shorts that are navy or khaki while female students will have the additional options of skits and jumpers. The uniforms also include button down or polo style shirts in white, navy or red, as well as sweaters, sweater vests and crewneck sweatshirts in navy and turtlenecks in white.
Gary Littrell, principal at St. Peter, said the issue of uniforms has come up several times during his three-year tenure. The first time, the issue did not have strong support and was allowed to drop. However, he said, the most recent drive had stronger backing and a survey completed by 70 percent of the school’s parents showed 67 percent were in favor of uniforms.
Littrell said the move to uniforms brings St. Peter in line with the majority of parochial schools in Missouri.
“I don't believe there are many, if any elementary schools in the Jefferson City diocese that do not have uniforms,” he said. “I know for sure that Pilot Grove, Glasgow, Tipton, Sacred Heart and Booneville (the other 5 schools in our region) do.”
Littrell said it is hoped that the uniform policy will promote school identity and a sense of belonging in students, enhance the school’s identity in the community, improve student behavior, reduce distractions in the classroom, help students resist peer pressure, reduce social differences, ease the identification of non-students and intruders and increase the convenience of parents and students in getting ready in the morning.
Many parents agree with Littrell’s assessment and are looking forward to the change. Sarah Haug is among those who like the ease of uniforms. She said when her children attended Catholic school in Independence, mornings were different.
“There were no arguments about what to wear,” she said. “Our mornings with uniforms were calmer and hassle-free from clothing issues.”
Mark Adderley also remembers the convenience of uniforms.
“I've been sending my kids to Catholic schools for over ten years, and St. Peter is the first that didn't insist on a uniform policy,” he said. “I've been held up countless times because one of my kids wanted to wear something that was scruffy or unacceptable to school.”
There are other reasons parents are in favor of the uniforms as well. Ron Renard said that in addition to fostering a team spirit among students it also lets them know that more is being expected of them.
“I believe it presents an environment of learning that is a put to a higher standard,” he said. “Isn't that one of the reasons we send our children to a private school, to put them in a situation which is better than what is offered at public school?”
Adderley also believes student performance will improve with the new policy.
“All the studies I've seen indicate that, when kids aren't concentrating on what they're wearing, they can use their minds for studying,” he said. “There is a correlation between uniforms and higher grades.”
Virginia Sprigg, who attended both St. Peter and Mercy Academy, is now the grandmother of St. Peter students. She said that in her day, uniforms were required and she remembers them being a positive part of the education process.
“We had school uniforms for all 12 grades,” Sprigg said. “I remember the uniforms gave distinction to our school and we were proud to wear them.”
Sprigg, Adderley and Haug all expressed their belief that the uniforms will also help to ease the social burdens of students.
“Uniforms are a great leveler--the rich kids and the poor kids don't look significantly different,” Adderley said.
“Sure wearing uniforms will not completely put everyone on the same level economically, but at least when everyone arrives at school they are all dressed the same,” Haug said. “No one has to feel uncomfortable that they do not fit in because they cannot afford a certain type of clothing. School uniforms will never solve the social issues in our schools. However, I feel uniforms can help our children focus their attention on learning rather than focusing on who is wearing what.”
Not everyone is happy with the new policy, however. The cost, restricted availability and overall necessity of the uniforms were questioned by parents opposed to the policy.
Andrea Henke, who has three children enrolled at St. Peter, cited an eight-year study by David Brunsma that found many of the schools that adopt a uniform policy are poorer schools and that it does not improve the education of the students.
“This policy was railroaded through by the few members who want to place uniforms (straight jackets) on their children so they don't have to argue with their children on what to wear to school,” she said. “What has happened to the parents doing their job?”
Henke also argued against the idea that St. Peter should try to set itself apart from the community with uniforms.
“To stand out in the community, let's have our graduates stand out in the high school with a better education,” she said.” Let’s produce children who are not afraid to stand up and speak in public behind a podium, on a stage or in class. Let's take the top percentage of the graduating class.”
Haskell Reynolds, Shirley Bosley and Brenda Castle all challenged the notion that students will concentrate more on their work if they wear a uniform.
“I do not feel that what a person wears is going to make their grades any better, or make them smarter,” Castle said.
Bosley agreed, saying, “I feel that our kids are genuinely good kids already. Uniforms don't make someone become a better person.”
Reynolds also called into question the security benefits of have students dressing similarly. “It would also help identify a child who did not belong there because they would not be in uniform?” he said. “Is St. Peter such a large school that the teachers and staff do not know each and every student there?”
Parents like Bosley, Castle and Bretta Colindres are among those concerned about the expense of the uniforms, which must originate from French Toast or Parker School Uniforms to ensure color matching.
“The school is offering $30 to help with this, but that won't buy much these days,” Castle said, noting that the jumpers from Parker School Uniforms cost $50 each.
“I feel also that this will be a huge expense to most people, and not everyone will be able to afford such stringent guidelines,” Bosley said. “Sometimes something that could be a good thing can end up a bad thing when carried too far.”
French Toast uniforms are available online and through the store’s catalog, but can also be found in retail stores. According to the company’s Web site, its uniforms are available at Target, Sears and Big Kmart locations in Independence, Jefferson City and Kansas City. These stores are between 60 and 75 miles from Marshall. One local store, Too Good To Be Through, will also offer the uniforms. Store owner Tracey Hartley, was a member of the committee that recommended the uniform policy, but stepped down prior to the announcement that her shop would stock the uniforms.
In an effort to help parents offset the cost of buying their child’s initial uniforms, arrangements have been made to receive donated uniforms from Nativity of Mary School of Independence. These clothes are free of charge to anyone and will be set up on tables in one corner of the St. Peter gym from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the April 10 and 11 and from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 12.
On Tuesday, April 25, representatives from Parker School Uniforms will be at the school from 2:30 to 7 p.m. with samples for students to try on.