Waterloo schools consider expanding uniforms to other buildings

Running a second grade classroom and running it well means knocking out the distractions.

At the Cunningham School of Excellence, an elementary school in the Waterloo Community School District, you'll find more polo shirts than a department store at the mall.

Ever since Cunningham opened in 2002, students are required to look good.

“It is an extra layer of politeness but I think it says you are here to do your job,” said principal Elizabeth Crowley.

As Crowley walks the halls of her school, she also pointed out what can happen when the polos and solid-colored tops are left at home.

“The days we have no uniform days, the climate definitely changes,” said Crowley.

This is an issue the School Board is grappling with. Only Cunningham and Carver Academy, one of Waterloo's four middle schools, require uniforms. Yet today, the district held a meeting to look into expanding the uniform policy into other schools.

“Cunningham's experience has been very important to us,” said Sharon Miller of the Waterloo Community School District. “We are seeing the good effect of it.”

Part of the talk is whether to shift uniforms to other middle schools and high schools. Waterloo East High is one mile south of Cunningham.

“That is very different from an elementary school,” said Miller. It could be a restricted dress code instead.

“A lot of schools, especially urban schools and parochial schools have done it for years,” said Crowley. “It's not a new idea.”

The school district is encourage as much feedback as possible, especially from parents.