Uniforms in School: It’s not just for the students

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While attending the National Catholic Education Association conference at the Philadelphia Convention Center in March, I observed that educators and administrators were looking for uniforms not only for their students but for themselves and other members of their staff as well.

Adults wearing uniforms in schools is not something new. From maintenance to janitorial to cafeteria staff, professionals at school have been wearing uniforms, and companies such as Red Kap, the Garment Corporation of America and Dickies have been servicing them. With more and more staff looking at different types of uniforms, more options are now available to them.

While schools have always encouraged teachers and administrators to participate in their uniform programs as a way of improving school unity, the number of teachers and other school staff now asking about uniform options is something that cannot be ignored.

In Classroom School Uniforms booth, the company also displayed items from its Cherokee medical uniform line. While the two Cherokee tops were merely for display purposes and not the focus of the booth, the reaction from the attendees was surprising. They wanted to use the tops for adults in their school uniform programs, not only for themselves but also for their entire school district. These educators also saw that these items could cut down on teachers’ expenses and make them clearly identifiable to the student body.

While parents, school administrators and teachers were interested in our school uniform program for students, the reaction from teachers and school nurses has been amazing. Many commented how they would like to wear components of both our medical and school uniform programs to work, says Andy Beattie, general manager of Classroom School Uniforms. We have always had adult sizing and products available, but the reaction from nurses and elementary school teachers has been wonderful. Its a natural synergy for both of our product lines, adds Beattie.

Morris Kassab, president of Ideal Department Store in Brooklyn, New York, agrees that uniform programs are not just for kids anymore. We sell skirts, fleece jackets and lots of golf shirts to teachers who want to be part of their schools uniform program, says Kassab. While Ideal Department Store has not seen school nurses purchasing its medical tops yet, Kassab says he services many nursing schools in his area.

With many school administrators stressing that both students and the community need to see teachers and other school staff as professionals, uniforms help reinforce professionalism. The California School Boards Association has an optional policy for local boards to adopt. It states: The governing board believes that since teachers serve as role models, they should maintain professional standards of dress and grooming. Just as overall attitude and instructional competency contribute to a productive learning environment, so do appropriate dress and grooming. The board encourages staff during school hours to wear clothing that demonstrates their high regard for education and presents an image consistent with their job responsibilities. Clothes that may be appropriate for shop instructors or gym teachers may not be appropriate for classroom teachers.

Dickies, a global workwear brand known for durable and functional clothing, manufactures clothing for all people who work, says Kristen Kauffman, a spokeswoman for Dickies. Since 1922, we have been manufacturing clothes for working people at every level. In schools, this includes the maintenance staff, teachers and our students where the focus is working in school. For our teachers who wear pieces from our school uniform program, our sizing is to mens and juniors size 15. We cover a lot of adult sizes and our styles, such as the carpenter pant and top with the hidden zipper, are not childish, adds Kauffman.

According to Beattie, We have pieces from our line geared for adults which are more sophisticated in styling and comfort. For the school staff, these adult-sized products are made from the same durable StainSmart treated fabrics and are easy care, wash-and-wear. With a wide range of styles and sizes extending to unisex 3XL, mens 48 waist and womens 24W, we can fit almost any faculty member or service employee. Its a great way to show school unity and spirit by having the certificated as well as classified staff members supporting the students uniform program.

Kristen Kauffman agrees. Dickies is worn by so many people, its everywhere. That is why Dickies makes sense for so many parents and teachers.

In the upcoming years, I look forward to seeing the many changes uniforms are having in schools with both children and adults. If nurses and elementary school teachers look to uniforms, will arts and crafts smocks for students be far behind? We will have to wait and see. Until next year!

Above story first appeared in MADE TO MEASURE Magazine, Fall & Winter 2005 issue. All rights reserved. Photos appear by special permission.
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