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They're not required and students won't be graded on them, but there will be something new in store for K.T. Murphy pupils this fall. A uniform dress code is being introduced at the school, and parents hope it will become a fashion statement of pride and achievement.
"I'm a huge supporter of uniforms," said Danette Melchionne, co-president of the school's PTO. "My children attended a uniform-based preschool, and it makes life much less complicated." She added that 70 percent of parents responded positively to a survey about implementing a dress code.
Tops for the mix-and-match separates come in Kelly green, white or navy, and bottoms are navy or khaki.
The color choices "make it more adaptable for all," said Melchionne. "We went with green and white, which are our school colors, and we had a vote with the third- and fourth-graders, and the majority voted for navy."
The school embraced the idea of a uniform dress code when it applied for a federal grant to become a magnet school, said Melchionne, adding that uniforms were a common element of all magnet schools visited during the application process.
"We felt it would make it a more inclusive community initiative, less distracting for students and make it more cost effective for parents," Melchionne said.
For similar reasons, Superintendent of Schools Joshua Starr said he's a "big believer" in uniform student dress. "I would never impose it from the superintendent's chair," he said, "but if a school wants school uniforms, that's great."
Wearing uniform dress is strictly voluntary. K.T. Murphy School will receive a credit for all purchases through vendor www.frenchtoast.com. Access K.T. Murphy's page by entering school source code QS5KDEX. Parents also may purchase clothing items at Sears, JCPenney, Kmart, Wal-Mart and Land's End, among others.
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