By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Should Lawrence Middle School students be required to wear a school uniform?
That’s the question that a newly formed study group is pondering. About 35 people — parents, staff and students from the middle school — attended the initial meeting last week, LMS Principal Andrew Zuckerman said.
“Early in the year — I don’t know whether it was a new fashion — scarves became popular for girls. We thought it was a safety issue,” Mr. Zuckerman said, because some students were putting the scarves in their mouths.
Then in December, LMS students attended the school’s annual “dress-up dance,” Mr. Zuckerman said. Students could not wear jeans or sneakers to the dance — and the change in students’ attitude was dramatic, he said.
“You could tell, the perception they had about themselves was high because of the way they looked and the way they were dressed,” he said.
In informal conversations with parents at the dance, there were many comments about how nice the children looked, he said.
Mr. Zuckerman said he also spoke informally to some parents at the dance about the possibility of forming a school uniform study group, and there was some interest from a few of the parents.
And thus the school uniform policy study group was formed, Mr. Zuckerman said. The first meeting was held Feb. 9, and two more meetings are set for Feb. 23 and March 12. Meetings start at 7 p.m. in the LMS library and are open to the public.
The middle school already has a dress code. Students are not permitted to wear clothing that makes reference to gangs, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes or violence. They may not wear halter-tops, tank tops or clothing with spaghetti straps.
Students may not wear baggy pants and clothing that exposes underwear. They may not wear headgear unless it is for medical or religious reasons. They may not wear ripped or torn clothing, or oversized sweatshirts or jackets. There is a ban on wearing safety pins, needles, spiked collars, dog collars and chains in school.
But the study group is considering whether to implement a school uniform policy, Mr. Zuckerman said. The members are mulling over the pros and cons of a school uniform policy, reviewing research and studies on the issue, plus school uniform policies from other school districts, he said.
The argument for a school uniform is that it is more affordable to have specific clothing to wear in difficult economic times, he said. The counter-argument is that it costs more for a school uniform and it also means children have two sets of clothing — one for school and one for the weekend, he said.
“We will have to determine what is most appropriate for us,” Mr. Zuckerman said.
The principal noted students tend to wear less clothing in the warmer months — and what they wear often presents a distraction to other students. A school uniform would help keep students focused on academic matters, and not on what others are wearing, he said.
“Some research says a (school uniform) has led to a reduction in discipline problems. However, I think the findings are more inconclusive (as to) whether it increases academic achievement,” Mr. Zuckerman said.
The principal said he intends to send a survey to parents and students, seeking their input. Some parents would like to attend the study group meetings, but they cannot do so. He said the survey would allow them to voice their opinions and reaction.
Once the study group completes its task — which could take additional meetings — it will offer its recommendation to the LMS administration, Mr. Zuckerman said. He will forward the results to Superintendent of Schools Philip Meara for possible action by the school board.

