PLEASANT GROVE -- Stan Butler has witnessed a change in his school since uniforms came between students and their Calvin Kleins.
Butler, principal of Manila Elementary School, freely admits there is no hard data that proves students learn better without Lucky jeans -- but he's glad parents at his school voted to take the chance."We told parents from the beginning that this wasn't going to be a panacea," said Butler. "But it has been a positive thing for our school."
Manila is the only elementary school in the Alpine School District, and one of just a few across the Wasatch Front, that has enacted a school-uniform policy.
But largely because of recent interest in uniforms by parents and slight changes in state law, Alpine and Nebo districts are turning attention to school-uniform policies.
Both districts are looking at streamlining procedures for parents if they want to raise the issue.
And both districts will be addressing those policies at school-board meetings this week.
Alpine meets Tuesday, April 11, at 6 p.m. at district headquarters, 400 E. 300 North in American Fork.
Nebo meets Wednesday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at 350 S. Main in Spanish Fork.
For example, if the boards in the districts approve the proposed policies, a majority is required for the uniform policy to be enacted.
"We didn't have a uniform policy in place," said Karl Bowman, an Alpine administrator. "Instead of having varied ways of schools (to enact a uniform policy) we wanted to standardized way for the district."
Frances Larsen, Nebo's spokeswoman, said no schools in the south Utah County district currently dress in uniform.
"There are a few schools looking at it, but nothing is started as of yet," she said. "The board just wants a policy in place if any school wants to have them."
Two years ago at Manila, parents followed the district's rules to adopt the dress code. After some public meetings during which parents were informed of the proposal to have school uniforms, each household was allowed one vote.
Some 60 percent embraced the idea of sending their children to school in uniforms. Since the uniform code was enacted, about 20 percent of the students, have opted not wear the uniforms, donning jeans and T-shirts instead.
But they can't wear anything they want. According to policy, students still are bound by dress and grooming standards.
As for the uniforms, Butler says, some parents have been converted to the dress policy.
"Parents have said it is much easier to shop," he said.
Students ranging in ages from 5 to 12 can wear either blue, green or khaki pants or skirts and white or blue collared shirts.
"We really should have called it an enhanced dress code," Butler said. "We just wanted to get away from the baggy pants, T-shirts and logos."