Honor students say no to uniforms

By Andy Gates — Argus Observer
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 10:10 AM PDT

ONTARIO — Two of Ontario Middle School honor roll students hopped off the bus Monday on their first day of eighth grade, excited and ready to learn.

Their school day stopped, though, when the students walked off the bus.

That is because they refused to wear specific clothing outfits in accordance with the new Ontario Middle School uniform policy.

Amidst warnings of suspension and even expulsion, the two 13-year-old girls said they stand by their decisions not to dress in uniform, and, with parental support, they are planning to transfer today to Vale Middle School.

The straight-A students, Hailee Turner and Angela Monroe, share more than an impressive grade point average — ranking in OMS’ highest honor roll category with GPAs between 3.75 to 4.0 — they also live on the same street, and they have been friends since the third grade.

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“I really didn’t get to class. I walked off the bus and a teacher said ‘come with me and change your clothes.’ It was crazy,” Monroe said.

Ontario Middle School administrators called the girls’ parents Monday into the school to discuss the girls’ refusal to wear uniforms, the honor students said.

“All she would say is this is the policy, this is the policy, this is the policy, and our parents were like fine, we’re taking them to Vale,” Turner said.

Public school uniforms impinge on students’ rights, and are flat out wrong, the girls said.

“I think it was a good thing to stand up for. All these people are walking in and being told they need to change, with threatening tactics. I stood up for myself and didn’t let them scare me. I’m trying to be a leader, not a follower, and it’s hard when they (school officials) try to force you into something,” Turner said.

Monroe, too, said she felt it was correct to stand up for what she feels is right.

“I went in there and they told me to change my clothes. I told them I didn’t want to, and they tried to talk me into it. I told them I wasn’t going to. I feel comfortable and confident in my clothes, not in the uniform. I think they look stupid and sloppy. And so then they were trying to intimidate me by saying I would get expelled or suspended. They’re trying to scare people ... That’s not right.”

Monroe’s mother, Shelli Monroe, supports her daughter and said she is proud of her.

“They decided they weren’t going to wear uniforms because they shouldn’t be punished for those students who don’t know how to dress appropriately for success ... She (Angela Monroe) feels she shouldn’t have to dress in a uniform to set an example for students who don’t care,” Shelli Monroe said. “I, as a parent, am very upset about this. It’s a public school and they are supposed to provide education to my daughter. My daughter would be isolated, suspended or expelled if she doesn’t wear a uniform.”

Turner, already a strong student, said she does not understand how wearing a uniform will help her learn more effectively.

“I don’t see how dressing differently will make our education better,” Turner said. “I think we should be free to express ourselves.”

Ontario School District officials said they cannot comment specifically about individual, confidential student matters. However, they said they are pleased with the uniform policy.

The Ontario School District implemented the uniform policy this year for the middle school. Sixth-graders had their first day of school Friday, and the other grades started school Monday.

In time uniforms lead to stronger academic performance, Ontario School District Superintendent Dennis Carter said.

“If you look better, you act better,” Carter said.

Ontario Middle School Principal LaVelle Cornwell said the children look great, and the new policy is being met, overall, with patient students and few problems.

“I’ve got to tell you the kids look wonderful. They really look sharp ... We missed them over the summer and we’re glad to have them back,” the middle school principal said.

The middle school’s commons area was converted Monday into a uniform arsenal, equipped with dressing areas.

Students who came to school not wearing the proper uniform were given correct attire and their prohibited clothes were bagged and named. About 29 students Monday underwent uniform assistance and adjustments — mostly involving belts, shirts that were not tucked in and incorrect colors, Cornwell said.

That is a hassle that Monroe and Turner said they should not be subjected to.

“One friend of mine was wearing dark gray, and they made her change her pants because they were too colored. She bought those pants especially for school, and now she can’t wear them,” Monroe said.

Ontario School District policy lets students wear solid khaki or black colored slacks, shorts, capris or skirts.

So, Monday at OMS, students were not wearing spaghetti straps, belly- bearing shirts, sagging pants and other distracting styles of dress, Cornwell said.

Most students were patient and did not argue about uniform requirements, and no discipline issues have resulted from the dress code, Cornwell said.

However, that was not the impression Turner received Monday at school.

“This lady was cutting logos off of pants and shirts and things ... Students did seem kind of unhappy they had to change. They seemed grumpy about it,” Turner said.

Uniforms promote security, school officials said.

“When kids are wearing uniforms, it’s pretty easy to spot someone who isn’t part of the school,” Carter said.

And, Cornwell said, children in uniforms come to school with a learning attitude.

Turner, however, said she came Monday to school ready for class in her name brand clothes. She also said uniform clothing is expensive and uncomfortable.

Shelli Monroe said she is not convinced uniforms even increase safety at the school.

“I’ve always checked in for my daughter in the past. This morning (Monday) I walked through the (middle) school and no one stopped me. I feel if I can do that, then anyone can walk into a classroom. Having kids in uniforms doesn’t provide a safe environment,” Angela Monroe’s mother said. “The focus should be on education and keeping kids challenged, rather than on how kids are dressing.”

Unlike the middle school, the Ontario High School does not have a uniform policy, and its principal, Bret Uptmor, said last year in September during a public school safety presentation, high school students probably would not like uniforms.

He had said for high school adolescents, clothing can be part of their expression while they explore their individuality.

Monroe and Turner said they want to attend high school in Ontario, and they will miss their Ontario Middle School friends when they transfer to Vale Middle School.

“We’ve already been to the superintendent’s office and got the paperwork. We’re in contact with the Vale (school) district office, and they’re excited to get straight-A students to help with their test scores. They’re willing to work with us,” Monroe’s mother said.

Carter said it would be unfortunate to lose talented students, but policies and rules apply to all students.

Children have to follow the rules — it doesn’t matter if they’re great students, poor students or good athletes, Carter said. “We’re sorry to lose really good students, but if they feel they can be more comfortable with rules in another school that’s their prerogative.”

Shelli Monroe said she likes the teachers and OMS, but school district officials are upholding absurd priorities.

“Their focus should lie in educating students, and keeping them challenged and keeping them in the right direction. How to dress — that to me is irrelevant,” Shelli Monroe said. “Kids explore their creativity (in school), and with the right guidance, expression can be there in an appropriate way.”

Cornwell said the middle school is short on uniform belts, “we’ve kind of cleaned out Ontario on belts,” she said.

The Ontario Middle School is accepting belt donations, in black or brown, with plain buckles. They can be dropped off at the school, or call (541) 889-5377.