School uniforms save time, allow fine-tuning

Emily Mack's day begins at 5:30 each morning.

The sophomore at the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany must shower, dress, and eat breakfast before catching the school bus at 6:15 a.m.

Not having to choose her dress ensemble makes her early mornings a little easier to handle.

"I love wearing a uniform," the parishioner of Sacred Heart in Troy said. "I don't have to worry about what I'm going to wear."

On special occasions when she can dress up instead of wearing her uniform Emily said she picks out her clothes the night before. Waiting until the morning would be too chaotic, she said.

Emily's schedule in addition to school work includes serving as the sophomore class president, a member of the ski club, the school choir, the tennis team, and a participant in the school musicals.

Bridget Dunne, a junior at the Academy of the Holy Names also enjoys wearing school uniforms. "I've worn a uniform since kindergarten," she said. "I love wearing a uniform."

Bridget, a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena in Albany, agreed with Emily on the benefits of school uniforms. Bridget said she has more time to focus on school work since she's not using her time looking for the perfect outfit.

While critics of school uniforms say they prevent students' individuality from coming through, Bridget disagreed. "What you do with your hair and jewelry can express your individuality," she said. "But your personality is what really comes through."

Emily agreed saying, "Your personality is what makes you unique. Your personality comes out through the different activities you're involved in."

Proponents of school uniforms say they help equalize students so that it isn't obvious who comes from wealthy families and who comes from poor families. Other benefits are that uniforms reduce peer pressure and social stigma, help place an emphasis on learning, and make it easier on families to clothe their children.

Mary Anne Vigliante, principal of the upper school at the Academy of the Holy Names said parents at her school like having uniforms. "Parents realize it's a benefit," she said. "They say it's such a savings."

Miss Vigliante said the school has two uniform skirts, one for warmer weather and one for winter weather. Purchasing both skirts costs approximately $100. A polo shirt with the school emblem is part of the uniform. Each shirt costs approximately $25. The school sweater is $30, she said.

According to the National Retail Federation the average family spends $548.72 per child on school clothing and an additional $93.59 on shoes.

At Saratoga Central Catholic High School in Saratoga, principal Steve Lombard said parents appreciate the school uniforms not only for the cost savings but also for reduced arguments about clothing. Mr. Lombard said families report not having battles over what is acceptable to wear to school.

"It makes getting up and out in the morning easier," he said.

The school's uniform is a blue sweater with a white polo shirt for both boys and girls. The girls have a blue and gray plaid skirt and the boys wear a gray pant.

Ryan Kra-mer, a senior at the school has worn both uniforms and street clothes during his school years. He prefers the uniforms for the ease of getting ready for school and for the cost savings. "I do like uniforms," he said. "It makes my parents life easier because it saves money."

Classmate Julia Larson said that while she enjoys wearing outfits that express her own sense of style, wearing a school uniform makes life easier. "I like the uniforms," she said. "It's easier to get ready in the morning and there's no competition about who has name brands."

As Julia has looked at colleges for next year she has started to think about what it would be like to pick out clothes for school. "Sometimes I worry about expanding my wardrobe," she said. "But at the colleges I've looked at most people wear a hoodie [sweatshirt] and sweatpants."

(11-12-09)