A uniform look: Many students will be conforming to standard dress codes when school resumes Monday

Shelly Green bought a handful of shirts for her daughter, Tana, at the open house for Eagle Valley Middle School on Thursday evening. With that, her back-to-school shopping was finished.

"That was the quickest school shopping I've ever done," she said. "It was easy. I like it."

Tana, 12, wasn't impressed.

"I don't like it because you don't get to express yourself," she said.

Eagle Valley is one of three schools joining Carson Middle School this year in requiring students to dress in standard attire.

Students attending Eagle Valley Middle School, as well as Seeliger and Bordewich-Bray elementary schools, will choose from red, white or blue polo shirts paired with approved pants or skirts.

Certain school-spirit attire also will be acceptable.

Carson Middle School will continue with navy or light blue polo shirts introduced last year as part of Positive Behavior System, a good-behavior initiative.

The elementary schools surveyed parents last year and reported overwhelming support for the new dress code.

"We had 70 percent approval," said Paula Zona, principal of Seeliger Elementary School. "I'm hoping it will increase school spirit. It's going to be neat to see them all in it on Monday."

Some students are already in favor of the uniform wear.

"I kind of think they're good," said Eddie Wentz, 11, who will be going into the sixth grade at Carson Middle School. "Say that someone's teasing you that you're wearing bad clothes. If you're wearing a uniform, you're both wearing the same thing and they can't tease you for it."

Alexandra Bradley, 9, who will be a fourth-grader at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School, said it will simplify her daily routine.

"You don't have to get up and choose your clothes," she said. "You just put on your uniform."

But others are more reluctant.

"I don't want to look like everyone else," said Adrian Torres, 11, who will be going to Carson Middle School. "I'd rather wear my own clothes."

Aubree Diez, 9, a fourth-grader at Bordewich-Bray Elementary School, worries what this will mean for parents.

"I personally don't like it because almost half of the kids in the town are going to be wearing them," she said. "It's going to be hard to find your child when half the schools are wearing uniforms."

Administrators at each school choose whether to require standard student attire.

Lee Conley, principal of Eagle Valley Middle School, said his staff decided to implement the policy after seeing success last year at Carson Middle School.

"It sends the message that they're here to learn and not for popularity," he said. "We think it will bring more consistency to our behavioral expectations."

Conley said it's part of a schoolwide plan to bring more cohesiveness in a variety of areas, including homework policies, curriculum and discipline.

"We're trying to create very clear expectations so all the kids know exactly how to be successful," Conley said.

Students at Eagle Valley may wear shirts with the school's insignia or plain polo shirts in the appropriate colors.

Fritz Steinle, 14, who will be running for student body president at Eagle Valley, is opting for the plain polo.

"It makes it easier for me to express myself without the logo," he said. "Plus, I'm going to be wearing a tie and some other stuff."

The dress code means he won't be able to wear the lime-green pants he's known for.

"I'm a really bright person, so this kind of takes me aback," he said.

Classmate Clayton Sollberger, 13, isn't excited about the standard attire, but put it into perspective.

"It's not the end of the world."

Standard student attire

For a complete list of acceptable attire, go to carsoncityschools.org.

Bordewich-Bray Elementary School

• Shirts: red, white or blue solid color polo shirts (collared with 2-3 buttons from the neck) or any Bordewich-Bray T-shirt. Shirts must be tucked in.

Undershirts with long sleeves can be worn during colder weather and can be white, blue or black.

• Sweatshirts can be worn with the Bordewich-Bray logo. All other sweatshirts must be taken off before school so the proper attire is visible.

• Pants, shorts and skirts may be blue, black, khaki and/or jeans and must be fitted at the waist with no rips or holes. Shorts and skirts must be 2 inches above the knees or longer.

• Tights/leggings under skirts should be plain or solid.

For more information, call the school at 283-2400.

Seeliger Elementary School

• Pants: Plain, solid colored, fitted at the waist, denim without rips.

• Shorts: Plain, solid colored, dress shorts 2 inches above the knee or longer, fitted at the waist.

• Skirts: Plain, solid colored, dress skirts 2 inches above the knee or longer , fitted at the waist.

• Tights or leggings under skirt: Plain white or black.

• Shirt: Plain polo in red, white or navy blue.

• Undershirts: Plain white or black may be worn under the polo.

• Sweatshirt: Plain red, white, or navy blue; no hoodies.

• Shoes: Choices will remain the discretion of students and their parents; however the CCSD dress code guidelines remain intact. Shoes with soles must be worn. All shoes requiring shoelaces must be laced and tied appropriately.

• With the exception of school-purchased clothing, garments may not display slogans or logos.

For more information, call the school at 283-2200.

Carson Middle School

• Pants: Plain black or tan/khaki fitted at the waist.

• Shorts: Plain/solid black or tan/khaki shorts 2 inches above the knee or longer, fitted at the waist.

• Skirts: Plain/solid black or tan/khaki skirts 2 inches above the knee or longer, fitted at the waist.

• Tights or leggings under skirt: Plain or solid white or black.

• Shirt: Light blue or navy, three-button polo (long or short sleeve). Shirt may have the CMS logo or be plain, solid, logo-free polo in navy or light blue. Shirt must be tucked in. Approved spirit wear may be worn on approved days. Outermost layer worn is the approved polo shirt or approved spirit wear.

• Sweatshirt: The crewneck CMS sweatshirt may be worn over a navy or light blue polo shirt. Polo shirt must be tucked in and collar out and visible.

• Undershirt: Plain or solid white or black may be worn under the polo. Any visible part of the undershirt must be solid or plain white or black.

• Belt: If a belt is worn, it must be appropriate for school. Belts must be free of gang insignias, spikes, chains or inappropriate messages. Belts must have less than a 3-inch tail extending from the buckle.

• Shoe choices will remain the discretion of students and their parents; however, the CCSD/CMS dress code guidelines remain intact. Shoes with soles must be worn. All shoes requiring shoelaces must be laced and tied appropriately.

• If socks are visible, they must be black, khaki or white.

• Accessories such as jewelry and makeup will still be allowed in accordance with CCSD/CMS dress code policy.

Scarves shall be treated as an accessory if they are lightweight, decorative scarves. Heavy, oversize winter scarves are considered outerwear.

• All clothing with the exception of school-purchased clothing must be free of slogans, logos, insignias, brand names, trademarks, messages, gang insignias, wording, pictures, studs, jewels and chains.

For more information, call the school at 283-2800.

Eagle Valley Middle School

• Pants: Plain black or tan/khaki fitted at the waist.

• Shorts: Plain or solid black or tan/khaki shorts 2 inches above the knee or longer, fitted at the waist.

• Skirts: Plain or solid black or tan/khaki skirts 2 inches above the knee or longer, fitted at the waist.

• Tights or leggings under skirt: Plain or solid white or black.

• Shirt: Navy blue, red or white three-button polo. Shirt must be either EVMS logo or plain, solid, logo-free polo in navy blue, red or white without a pocket. Shirt must be tucked in. Approved spirit wear may be worn on approved days. Outermost layer worn is the approved polo shirt or approved spirit wear.

• Sweatshirt: The crewneck EVMS sweatshirt may be worn over a navy blue, red or white polo shirt. Polo shirt must be tucked in and collar out and visible.

• Undershirt: Plain or solid white or black may be worn under the polo. Any visible part of the undershirt must be solid or plain white or black.

• Belt: If a belt is worn, it must be appropriate for school. Belts must be free of gang insignias, spikes, chains or inappropriate messages. Belts must have less than a three-inch tail extending from the buckle.

• Shoe choices will remain the discretion of students and their parents; however, the CCSD/CMS dress code guidelines remain intact. Shoes with soles must be worn. All shoes requiring shoelaces must be laced and tied appropriately.

• If socks are visible, they must be black, khaki or white in color.

• Accessories such as jewelry and make-up will still be allowed, again in accordance with CCSD/CMS dress code policy.

Scarves shall be treated as an accessory if they are lightweight, decorative scarves. Heavy, oversize, winter scarves are considered outerwear.

• All clothing with the exception of school-purchased clothing must be free of slogans, logos, insignias, brand names, trademarks, messages, gang insignias, wording, pictures, studs, jewels and chains.

For more information, call the school at 283-2600.