By Julie A. Miller
Catholic Herald

Cathedral School takes uniform approach for dress code

SUPERIOR -- A better environment for learning, cost savings and school pride are just some of the reasons parents and school administrators have cited as the benefits of school uniforms. When school started this week, students at Cathedral School in Superior were wearing uniforms. Almost half of the Catholic schools in the diocese currently require students to wear uniforms, while others have dress codes for students.

According to principal Roy Hamlin, Cathedral School considered uniforms three years ago and did a survey of parents. "The first survey indicated uniforms were a popular thing to do. However, there was some anxiety on the part of some people that (unhappy) parents might pull their kids out (of school)," Hamlin said. The idea was temporarily dropped.

"Since then we did another survey that reconfirmed that there was a groundswell of support (65 percent in favor) to implement uniforms. A committee was formed. We made the decision to go ahead in January or February of this year," Hamlin said.

The committee, made up of parents, teachers and administrators, also developed the dress code and selected Donalds Uniform Company of St. Paul as the primary vendor. Parents can also buy uniforms from some local vendors if the garments meet color and length requirements and don't have any visible labels or logos, Hamlin said.

"Back in May, Donalds Company came here and they (parents) had the opportunity to purchase anything (uniforms) they wanted at the time. Parents were told, 'Don't put it on (the students) until two weeks before school starts ... so you can send them back if they don't fit," Hamlin said.

"Some of those (parents) who were against it (uniforms) have decided it's not too bad a deal," Hamlin said. All of the parents he talked to at school registration indicated support, he said.

Three mothers, who are enthusiastic supporters of the uniforms, are Judy Reder, Kay Sitek and Britt DeVinck. Between them they have eight children at Cathedral School."I really haven't heard any negatives. Everything I've heard has been real positive," DeVinck said. She has three children in the school, Eric in seventh grade, Jessica in fifth grade and Sara who is in first grade.

Uniforms are not a new experience for Sitek's children, Sean and Steven. Although Superior natives, the Siteks lived in Indiana for three years where the children wore uniforms. "My kids are all for it," Sitek said, including Spencer who just started kindergarten. "It's so hassle free in the morning for parents," she said.

Reder has two children at Cathedral School, Alyssa in fourth grade and Kelsey in kindergarten. "The ease in getting them dressed," Reder said, was a real advantage.

Cost is another factor. According to Sitek, "It's much more economical. They can often wear the same uniforms next year." Sitek added that Cathedral School plans to hold a resale event at the end of each year to give parents an opportunity to sell uniforms their children have out-grown or no longer need.

"I just think it (a uniform) helps take away the competition to wear the 'in' clothing," Sitek said. "It (a uniform) instills pride and community in the school," Sitek added.

"It puts everyone on the same level. I especially think it's great in the middle school, where there is such peer pressure to have the right brands," DeVinck said.

"I think even their attitude when they're all dressed the same changes. There's not any conflict between them. They're all at the same level," Reder said. "They have more pride in their school. They look so nice and I just feel like the kids walk different in their uniforms," she added.

Phyllis Schlagel, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, strongly supports uniforms. She sees many advantages, including those mentioned by the parents. "Research indicates that children learn better in uniforms. That's what educational institutions are all about," she said.

Schlagel also sees financial benefits to uniforms. "Economically it makes sense. Initially your expense is higher but in the end, it costs less," she said.

Uniforms also involve Catholic school identity, according to Schlagel. Does (the uniform) set them apart so others will make fun of them? I think it sets them apart for what they believe in," she said.

When asked about objections to uniforms because children have no freedom to chose what they wear, Schlagel said, "Even when they have uniforms, they'll find things to make them unique." Some objections come from people who don't realize how popular uniforms are in large metropolitan areas, she said. "Here as a rural diocese, people don't realize how common it is (to wear uniforms)."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2000