The Rosa Parks Elementary School and Monroe Clark Middle School administration, in partnership with the Rosa Parks/Monroe Clark Joint Planning Committee, has developed a student uniform program which will be implemented in the Fall of 1997. This program is a proactive measure designed to make our schools safer and our students more productive and successful. The Rosa Parks Elementary/Monroe Clark Middle School Joint Planning Committee members believe that a prescribed student uniform is in the best interests of children and learning for the following reasons:

1. Campus Safety and Security: A uniform helps make the campus safer and more secure by eliminating the wearing of gang clothing which can also be used to intimidate or conceal contraband. Moreover, outsiders or non-students are easily recognized on campus.

2. Climate for Learning: A uniform helps students focus on learning. It sets the tone for a proper work attitude in the classroom, reducing behavior problems and improving performance.

3. School Unity and Pride: An attractive student uniform promotes school spirit, good self-image, and school unity. Just as an athletic teams' uniforms promote unity and spirit, so can a school uniform.

4. Economics: A uniform is economical. Comparisons show that the uniform costs significantly less than what most parents pay for unregulated school clothing. Durability, reusability, and the year-to-year consistency also cut costs.

5. Homogeneity and Opportunity for Self-Expression: A uniform removes the status that clothing labels give to some children and serves to externally equalize all students. This provides impetus for students to find more productive outlets for expressions of individualism such as wit, intelligence, and creativity. Teachers offer many opportunities for self-expression and creativity in the academic realm ranging from creative assignments to after-school clubs.

6. Modesty Standards Upheld: A uniform meets widely accepted standards of modesty thus eliminating the conflicting interpretations of dress codes and the embarrassment that often is associated with "violations" of dress code.

7. Dressing Simplified: Parents cite simplification of selection as an important advantage. Even though several selections are available within the uniform, each meets the standards of the school and the approval of the home. Parents of students attending schools with a uniform program report that they have saved hundreds of dollars and eliminated the morning tug-of-war with children over what to wear.

Schools all over the country have adopted similar policies and Long Beach Unified School District has adopted a policy that is district wide. In San Diego Unified School District, many elementary, and several middle schools, have had uniforms for a year or more. More schools are establishing a uniform policy beginning in the 1997-98 school year.

The administration, parents and community members of Rosa Parks Elementary and Monroe Clark Middle schools began discussing the possibility of school uniforms in November of 1996. In March 1997, the Rosa Parks/Monroe Clark Joint Planning Committee had a final discussion regarding this issue. A decision was made to establish a uniform policy for both schools sites beginning in September of 1997 when both schools open their doors for the first time to students.

In the March 1997 issue of a neighborhood publication (The Fairmont Villager), parents were notified that students attending Rosa Parks Elementary and Monroe Clark Middle schools would be required to wear uniforms. Other neighborhood newsletters were also asked to include this information in their publications. Additionally, in April 1997, parents were informed by mail that beginning in September 1997, Rosa Parks Elementary School and Monroe Clark Middle School students would be asked to wear school uniforms.

Rosa Parks Elementary and Monroe Clark Middle schools have implemented a policy of school uniforms for all students. The first six weeks of school will be used as a phase-in period so that students without uniforms will have time to obtain them. As of October 20, 1997, all students will be expected to be in uniform.

Guidelines for uniforms:

1. Colors: Dark Blue and White. Bottoms will be dark blue, tops white.

2. No sweat pants, overalls, or jeans will be allowed. Uniform shorts (above the knee) will be acceptable.

3. Shirts must have a collar. (T-shirts may be worn if bearing a school logo or a school club logo.)

4. Girls' skirts or boys' or girls' Bermuda shorts cannot be worn more than 2" above the knee.

5. Pant hems may not extend beyond the heel of the shoe.

6. Sneakers and leather shoes are both acceptable, but must be black, dark brown, dark blue, or white. Only black or white shoe laces will be allowed.

7. Socks must be dark blue or white and may not extend above the calf.

8. Boys and girls must wear belts if pants have belt loops, and no sagging will be allowed. (No hanging belts, no military web belts and no large buckles will be permitted.)

9. Jackets, sweat shirts, and sweaters are permitted if they are dark blue or white. They must be free of all logos, except school logos. No trench coats will be allowed. Student's name may be printed on a jacket, but only in blue or white block letters. No "Starter" jackets will be allowed.

10. Back Packs must be of a dark color with no logos or graphics, except school or school club logos.

11. Students who participate in a nationally recognized youth organization will be allowed to wear the organizational uniforms on days that the organization has a scheduled meeting.

12. Uniforms are available from many retail stores in San Diego. Target, K-Mart, WalMart and the School Uniform Store at 43rd and University all offer uniform items which conform to the guidelines.

13. Parents seeking a waiver in regard to this uniform policy must meet with the administration. No pupil shall be penalized academically or otherwise discriminated against, or denied attendance to school if the pupil's parents choose to execute this waiver.

Dress Code

All Students Are Expected to Wear uniforms Within Two Weeks of Enrollment.

Guidelines for Uniforms:

1.Bottoms will be dark blue, tops white.
2.No sweat pants, overalls, or jeans will be allowed. Uniform shorts will be acceptable.3.Shirts must have a collar.
4.Skirts or shorts cannot be worn more than 2" above the knee.
5.Pant hems may not extend beyond the heel of the shoe.
6.Sneakers and leather shoes are both acceptable, but must be black, dark brown, dark blue, or white.
7.Socks must be dark blue or white.
8. Belts must be worn if pants have belt loops.

Uniforme

Se Espera Que Para La Segunda Semana De Clases Todos Los Alumnos Tengan Su Uniforme

1.Pantalon, falda o "short" azul marino y camisas y blusas blancas.
2.No se permiten pants, overoles o mezclilla.
3.Las camisas y blusas deben tener cuello.
4.Faldas y "shorts" deben usarse a no más de dos pulgadas arriba de la rodilla.
5. La bastilla de los pantalones no debe quedar más abajo de los zapatos.
6.Zapatos de goma y piel son permitidos, pero deben ser negros, café oscuro, azul marino o blanco.
7. Calcetines azules o blancos .
8. Cinturones cuando sean necesarios.