Class action suits
Edward Uniforms store in Woburn, with its floor to ceiling racks of plaids, you might think you're at the cleaners' the day after a bagpipers' convention. At both its Woburn and Roslindale stores, the company sells uniforms to 150 schools, primarily parochial ones. They carry 40 plaids used for jumpers, skirts, ties, and accessories.
Vice President Jeff Markowitz said the most popular uniform chosen by schools consists of a jumper and blouse for girls in grades K 5; skirt and Oxford shirt for girls in grades 6 12; navy or beige khakis (no flare, cargo, or wide legged pants), belt, Oxford shirt and tie, or polo shirt for boys.
A school logo on the uniform is also becoming very popular. It ensures conformity, since the embroidered or screen printed logo is sold by a school approved vendor. Markowitz said accessories are huge sellers as well.
They include fleece vests and jackets, nylon jackets, and sweaters, referred to as School Spirit Wear. Girls love the plaid hair accessories and backpacks.
The store sells dark shoes with nonmarking soles. "It's one stop shopping," adds Markowitz; the cost to outfit a child for a school year runs from $1 to $250. Kids usually outgrow the clothes before they wear out, so hand me downs and fund raising sales are standard.
Schools don't like to change their plaid, but styles and fabrics change. "Kids love the knitknit
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John Clark, principal of the Edward W. Brooke Charter School forfor
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A simple nonplaid uniform was chosen (khaki dress pants with belt, tan skirt, blue Oxford shirt, brown or black dress shoes) so parents could buy affordable clothes at a variety of stores.
Student council candidates tend to lobby for "more dress down days" (jeans, sneakers, and T shirts). Clark laughs and says: "I can't remember a kid saying, Gosh, I'm so glad we have uniforms,' but on many levels kids appreciate it. A dress code serves an educational purpose."
Michael Joseph, age 12 and soon to be a 7th grader at the Brooke school, says he getsgets
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Kara Hollis is going into the 9th grade at Austin Preparatory School in Reading and likes wearingwearing
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In Hollis's opinion, violations are infrequent because of her school's flexibility in allowing colorcolor
Los Angeles Kings Blue nhl teams jerseys and style options. The assistant headmistress is "always on lookout at lunch," though she "sometimes gives up on the seniors at the end of the year," Hollis, 14, says.
Infractions, which can lead to detention, are untucked shirts and short skirts. Kids get to express themselves withwith
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