Newport Elementary students get new look

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT BEACH--Parents voted last week that students at Newport

Elementary School should sport new uniforms when they return to campus in

the fall.

An overwhelming majority of parents believed the new dress standard

dictating the color and style of students’ clothes was for the best.

For the next school year, the students will have the option of wearing

various blue, white or khaki pants, shorts, skirts and shirts. One style

gives the option of wearing a Hawaiian print.

“I think a lot of the parents showed a concern because ofour location on

the beach,” said Virginia Osadche, the parent volunteer who organized the

uniform vote. “Our kids are mixed with the public with our playground on

the beach. So to be able to clearly see them is important.”

With a 74% turnout of parent voters, 71% of those parents favored the

dress code, said Principal Denise Knutsen.

Parents still have the option of waiving the uniform policy for their

children. A team of parents, students and staff will be working on the

guidelines for the uniforms and the waiver process to distribute before

the close of the school year, Knutsen said.

Just as parents’ feelings are mixed on the issue, so are the pupils’.

Even among the 10 children who have been modeling the possible outfits

for students and parents there is disagreement.

“I don’t like them. I hate them, I hate them, I hate them,” said Taylor

Stevenson, 10.

“How are we going to play soccer in these?” asked Spencer Barratto.

Several of the girls, however, thought the uniforms were a marvelous

idea.

“I think they look good,” said 5-year-old Cristina Sclafani.

“I like the color,” classmate Madison Ridgway said.

Some of the older students thought they were a good idea because they

would even the playing field.

“I think they’ll make a big difference in the school because everyone

will be treated the same,” said 11-year-old Brittany Sitzer. “Sometimes

people here don’t have the cool stuff, like Roxy, and they’re not treated

the same.”

Although not all the students or parents agree on the issue, Newport

Elementary will join the ranks of parents at Eastbluff, Lincoln and

several other elementary schools in putting their children in school

uniforms.