School uniforms to be discussed

Carson High School should look at changing the dress code to make students wear uniforms as one way to deal with gangs, according to an anti-gang group in the city.

The Carson City Community Coalition will hold a meeting Wednesday night at the high school to talk about ways to parents can recognize students who are wearing gang colors or clothes. The coalition is a group that teaches people about gangs in Carson City.

Javier Ramirez, head of the coalition, said the discussion about uniforms will be informal, but he wants to see what parents think about the idea.

Many parents don't realize what students are really wearing when they leave the house, he said.

Tony Urrutia, a city juvenile probation officer, will give the main speech.

Katherine Hansen, a sophomore at the high school, said she isn't against uniforms because the policy would be better for the school.

Students wouldn't have to worry about what they wore in the morning, she said, and they wouldn't be judged if they didn't wear fashionable clothes they can't afford.

"It makes everyone equal," she said.

But uniforms wouldn't fix those problems, said Summer Rollenhagen, a freshman at the school.

She wore a uniform for nine years as St. Teresa School and said the clothes can be expensive and students will wear jewelry or shoes to differentiate themselves anyway.

"No matter what, there's still going to be someone saying they're better," she said.

Gang members would also be able to identify themselves even if they had to wear uniforms, said Michael Ramirez, a freshman.

They might wear an earring that is a certain color, for instance, he said, and continue to sag their pants.

He said he's not intimidated by gang members, though, and just ignores them.

Stephanie Carlquist, a freshman, said clothes also help define who a student is and they are a way students express themselves.

She said she would leave the school if the a uniform policy was adopted.

Among the things the school's dress code prohibits now are halter tops, gloves, sunglasses, sheer clothing, bandanas and excessively baggy clothes.

"To put it simply, the priority here is teach and learn, not to be on display," the dress code says.

The last major change in policy was in 1999 when the school district accepted a dress code for teachers and employees.

• Contact reporter Dave Frank at dfrank@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

If you go

WHAT: Discussion on school gangs, dress code and possibility of uniforms

WHERE: Carson High School, 1111 N. Saliman Road

WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday

INFO: Javier Ramirez at 887-2190, ext. 1039.