School starts policy, but state requires a voluntary
participation in schools
R.O. Hardin Elementary School on Wednesday became the first
campus in the Hollister district to have a uniform policy, though
voluntary because California bars public institutions from
enforcing the rules or penalizing those who decline
participation.
School starts policy, but state requires a voluntary participation in schools
R.O. Hardin Elementary School on Wednesday became the first campus in the Hollister district to have a uniform policy, though voluntary because California bars public institutions from enforcing the rules or penalizing those who decline participation.
Wednesday was the first day of school in the district. Students at the K-6 school on Line Street in Hollister were asked to wear khaki or navy-blue pants or skirts, along with white shirts.
Principal Aggie Obeso-Bradley spurred the school’s change. She had been thinking of developing uniform guidelines since she arrived three years ago. She pointed out there is a relatively high Hispanic population at the school – noting how uniforms are more common at schools in Mexico and that some parents had asked about the prospect.
“I had to get to know the culture and the community before I made a decision,” she said.
The principal also had to get support from the Hollister School District Board of Trustees. She started the process in February or March, she said, getting approval from the school board and moving ahead with a survey of parents, which showed that about 95 percent of them were supportive of the change. Such policies need approval at least six months before the affected school year, according to the education code.
The school held a few meetings with parents and sent notices home before a parental vote in April.
Obeso-Bradley said she thought the uniforms are “a neat changeover” that will make learning the focus.
“Our main concern for everyone, whether you wear a uniform or not, is learning,” she said.
R.O. Hardin teacher Gina Munoz noted that even in second grade where she teaches, students wear low-cut pants and short shirts.
“It’s hard to tell the parents they can’t wear that,” she said.
Supporters saw the “results” of the initiative Wednesday, when they find out how many students are in uniform, Munoz said.
“For the kids, I think it keeps them more focused on the curriculum and what they’re here for, than on style and dress and the gang thing,” Munoz said.
Chuck Spandri is parent at the school and said he voted for the uniforms.
“It wasn’t like there was a big gang presence here, but it made sure it wouldn’t start. It made sure kids wouldn’t be embarrassed not to have the latest clothes.
R.O. Hardin will ensure all students have opportunities to wear the standard school outfits by providing clothes to those who want them, for financial or other reasons. It received some clothing donations from Sacred Heart School in Hollister as well.
Excerpts from Education Code section 35183:
(d) A dress code policy that requires pupils to wear a schoolwide uniform shall not be implemented with less than six months’ notice to parents and the availability of resources to assist economically disadvantaged pupils.
(e) The governing board shall provide a method whereby parents maychoose not to have their children comply with an adopted schooluniform policy.
