UNIFORM POLICY MAY BE CHANGED SCHOOL MAY MAKE COMPLIANCE MANDATORY.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - In an effort to get students' minds off of what they're wearing and on to what they're learning, Marshall Elementary School officials and parents want to implement a mandatory uniform policy.

Ten years after the school adopted its voluntary uniform policy - under which students can choose to wear navy-blue pants, shorts or jumpers and any type of white shirt - participation has waned to less than 20 percent.

But more than 80 percent of the parent population voted to support mandatory uniforms, and the school board said it now will consider changing the policy.

``They wanted to have a mandatory uniform policy so the children can focus in on academics rather than on the most recent trends and styles of clothing,'' said Principal Lynn Marso, who has been meeting with parents of the kindergarten to sixth grade students for more than a year to discuss their concerns and ideas.

``We want to have an academic community so children don't have to think about, worry about or deal with what the clothing is they'll be wearing on a daily basis,'' Marso said.

If the board approves, the policy would take effect in January. Parents still would be able to opt their children out of the policy if they are opposed to the requirement.

Twelve of the district's 20 elementary schools have some form of uniform requirement, said Alice Petrossian, assistant superintendent of educational services.

``Principals feel strongly that it helps take the pressure away from clothing and any sort of competition on wearing name brands and labels and brings the focus back to school instructional programs and other factors such as discipline,'' said Petrossian.

Mark Keppel Elementary instituted its uniform policy in 1994 with the overwhelming support of its parents.

``We talk to the children about how, in a lot of different professions, folks like doctors and nurses wear uniforms, so that by wearing a uniform, students show that they are part of Mark Keppel School, that they are students and that is their job,'' said Principal Mary Mason. ``And parents tell us all the time how easy it is to get their kids dressed in the morning.''

Board president Mary Boger said that, if having uniforms is what the parents and teachers of Marshall Elementary want, she would be happy to support them.

Although detractors say uniforms diminish student individuality, Boger said she believes it could do the opposite.

``I hope that what happens is you see each child for who they are, not just for their more obvious socioeconomic background, which is sometimes the case,'' she said. ``It's too easy for all of us to look at someone and think, 'Oh, gee, that person is wealthy or needy,' as opposed to seeing this wonderful, fresh-faced child.''

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

--The Glendale Unified School District board will discuss the dress policy at 4 p.m. today at 223 N. Jackson St.

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