As a result of various complaints from teachers regarding difficulties faced in enforcing our current uniform code and parents regarding difficulties in interpreting our current uniform code, the School Council and School Administration assembled a Uniform Task Force to review the current uniform code. This committee was asked to make suggestions that would improve the code and make it more easily enforceable and more clearly defined. Infraction procedures were also reviewed. The last time the code was reviewed: 1996.

A total of nine parents, two teachers and Dave Fink were desired. A flyer was sent out and a request was made in School Council minutes for volunteers to participate. Seven parents either volunteered or were asked to participate. 

Maggie Towle volunteered to chair the committee; she is also on School Council.

Dave Fink, along with three teachers volunteered to participate: Karen Gilray(middle school); Michelle Mechtel and Katie Selden (elementary school).

Parent volunteers: Robin Asleson (also on School Council), Ann Heller, HopeScannell, Deanna Turcotte, Anne Weiss (also on School Council), Carole Wroble, Suzanne Zobitz

Collection process
• Concerns and comments were collected via the survey – Fall 2004.
• On February 10th an open forum was held to hear parent concerns or comments.
     • Parents were invited to email concerns and comments to Maggie or Robin (Open Forum flyer).
     • Each participant brought concerns and comments through conversations with others
(teachers, administrators and parents).

Concerns Identified
     • Inconsistency in uniform pant styles and color.
     • Some pieces too hot during certain times of the year i.e., heavy sweatshirts,  
        jumpers are hot.
     • Difficulty enforcing a code that was too broadly defined.
     • Sloppy appearance of the school children compared with other schools. 

     • The traditional red plaid and Crosier Cross/logo would remain.
     • The school uniform is a visual sign of our school community.
     • Students in uniform gain a sense of pride in themselves and their school.
     • The uniform provides a sense of equality and directs the focus to learning.
     • The uniform is an expectation and privilege when attending St. Odilia School.
     • Parents are ultimately responsible for enforcement of the School Uniform Code.

The committee met several times to discuss options that would address concerns raised. In addition, St. Jude of the Lake provided us with an extensive review of area Catholic Schools’ Uniform Codes and a review of various vendors. We met with the two largest vendors, Dennis and Donalds and visited Dennis Uniform.

 A revised uniform code was developed (see attached).

Highlights:

     • Recommend only one approved vendor: Dennis
     • Change middle school culottes to new skort style.
     • Middle School girls are no longer required to wear vest.
     • K – 5 girls will wear the plaid skort; jumper will be discontinued.
     • K – 5 girls will wear yellow polo or oxford with logo.
     • Girls are allowed to remove their sweatshirts whenever they need. Shirt
       under sweatshirt must have logo.
     • ALL SHIRTS must have monogrammed logo – boys and girls.

The committee felt this was really the only way to control the pant and short styles, guarantee consistency in colors, eliminate fading issues and provide a true uniform look. It provides ease in enforcement. 

In the end, we felt Dennis could pro vide us with the best overall service. They offer variety for all shapes and sizes and also have a “custom fit” uniform service if need be. All Dennis does is make and sell uniforms, which is not the case with any of the other vendors. Dennis seems to be truly a customer driven company.

Here is a bit more about Dennis.
     • For over 80 years, Dennis has been in the business of selling school uniforms.
     • Dennis manufactures over 80% of their uniforms in Portland, Oregon. (Made in America)
     • The manufacturing plant matches garment color to an international pantone chip color, ensuring
consistent color year after year.
     • Less than 3% shrinkage on 95% of garments.
     • Small joker tags are on all pants, providing, at a glance, identification for parents and teachers
ensuring the students are in the correct uniform.

Getting the Correct Uniform:

     • Dennis has computerized programs and personal documentation in place ensuring everything
purchased is specific to the school.
     • Dennis provides a school specific flyer identifying all official uniform pieces.

Shopping at Dennis: 

     • The Dennis store is in a convenient location. It is impressive, clean, orderly and easy to shop with children.
     • There are four choices in purchasing: a local Dennis store located in Oakdale (Junction of 94 and 694),
secure internet site, Toll Free National Customer Service, and Mail Order.
     • Dennis will have a uniform sale at the school prior to the start of the school year (usually in July or
August – school’s choice).

Financial Benefits: 

     • 6% of all gross sales are donated back to the school through the Academic Fund Program.
     • $5.00 Uniform coupons are distributed to the incoming kindergarten class.
     • Families in need can benefit from the Scholarship Uniform Program.
     • Dennis strongly believes in supporting the schools with which it partners.
        They participate in numerous school fundraisers with donations. 

Dennis Promotions:

     • Dennis offers a 10% Early Bird Promotion in June of each year.
     • Dennis has a polo sale every July. Buy 3 polos, get 1 at 50% off. Buy 6 polos, get 1 free.
     • DENNIS Advantage cards – A card stamped for each $10.00 in purchases. When filled (15 stamps),
the customer receives $10.00 off their next purchase.
     • DENNIS Rally – The Rally division of DENNIS supplies customized apparel to teams, clubs and school
bookstores including jackets, gym bags, blankets, hats, sweats, t-shirts and polo shirts as a fundraising
        opportunity.

We are replacing the jumper with the skort largely because of the warmth of the building. Overall the children will be more comfortable. When the girls get warm, the jumpers are coming off and the girls are out of uniform with knit pants, leggings or non-uniform shorts and a top without a logo. Sometimes, the children are coming to school with the knit pants and are forgetting the jumper altogether.

Because, with all the girls in skorts, we felt it was important to differentiate between the middle school and the elementary school. Besides white, yellow looks the best with our plaid. The polo and the oxford are both available in yellow. 

Just about.

      • Current polos with the mongrammed logo from Lands’ End or Donalds are fine. New purchases from
Dennis only.
     • All monogrammed girls’ shirts must be purchased from Dennis.
     • All skorts must be purchased from Dennis.
     • All pants and shorts must be purchased from Dennis.
     • Socks/Tights – preferred resource is Dennis – but not required as long as they adhere to the code.
     • Undergarments/shoes – not purchased at Dennis. 

Absolutely. Ten of us are parents here. But, we also realize that having a uniform in general saves us money every year. According to two surveys, back to school clothing costs per child not in uniform are $300 - $350 – excluding shoes. Dennis estimates about $250 per child. (That would be approximately four polos, three pants, one sweater vest and two sweatshirts (boys) or four polos, two skorts, two sweatshirts and one pant (girls).)

This year, current school families may have to make a larger investment in their back to school purchases. After that, we are back to quality hand-me-downs.

A large part of the problem with enforcement was that the uniform code was too broadly defined. By clearly defining uniform expectations and allowing only one vendor for our primary items, it will be much easier for parents to purchase acceptable clothing and for teachers to identify infractions.

The committee has also reviewed the infraction procedures and has proposed a revised Infraction Notice (see attached).

The current policy/enforcement allows FASHION to play too big a part in the choices families are making. Colors and styles are inconsistent and fit is sometimes sloppy and in poor taste. We have chosen to have a uniform, thus we should look uniform in appearance.

A great deal of thought has gone into these recommendations. No decisions were taken lightly and we really tried to look at the policy from every angle. We came to realize that like most things in life, there is no perfect solution, but based on our work we felt this solution was the best. We are a diversified group of parents with children of varied ages and of different sizes and shapes; teachers of different age groups.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve on this committee.