Uniforms for St. James students being studied by school board

Published 12:00 am Monday, March 29, 1999

By STACEY PLAISANCE / L’Observateur / March 29, 1999

LUTCHER – Final action regarding a mandatory school uniform policy for St. James Parish will likely be taken during the early 1999-2000 school year.Interim Superintendent Walter Landry said he supports the school uniform concept, but he is not yet convinced that school staffs are prepared for the undertaking. Landry’s hunch stems from results of a recent uniform survey which were released at the St. Only 48 percent of parents and students returned the survey, with 41 percent in support of the uniform policy and 10 percent against it. Landry said school principals need to resurvey parents who did not respond, and the board will need to develop commitmIt was mentioned that extensive time will be needed to develop a policy for the board’s approval, which will encompass details such as the type/color of the uniforms, requirements from school to school, district committee, senior questions, transfers fromquestion of schools with two or three grades.

Sufficient time is needed for public awareness and support and for parents to develop a budget, Landry said.

Released with the survey results was information explaining why Landry is in support of a uniform policy in St. James Parish.School uniforms have had positive effects in schools nationwide, reducing violence and crime and raising student self-esteem, Landry said. When students are not being mocked for not having the “right” clothes, fights and arguments are minimized, he said.School uniforms are cheaper than purchasing an entire wardrobe, and they will help end the annual battle over what kind of school clothes to buy and the daily dilemma of deciding what to wear, he said. Also, school pride increases when students wear clothUniforms have also been known to alleviate gang-related activity, as gang members seem less inclined to recruit children wearing school uniforms, Landry said. Gang members are also less likely to harass students about their clothes, he said.The board will continue to evaluate and discuss a uniform policy for the parish school system until members are prepared to take final action, expected next year.

In other business, the board: Approved seven construction projects by Beaullieu & Associates, Inc. involving several parish schools in the amount of $114,723.24. These projects include roof and air conditioning replacements and the installation of kitchen ventilation and fire suppre Granted release time to several teachers and students for upcoming trips and functions. Two teachers and 48 students from Gramercy Elementary will travel to Waveland, Miss., in May to attend a space center program. A coach from St. James High School wil Allowed the Lutcher-Gramercy Jaycees to use Lutcher High School grounds for a fair in early May.

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