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Volume 84 No. 1
Grimsley High School
SOJ Westover Terrace
Greensboro, NC 27408
September 28, 2007
Uniformity aims to boost academics
■BY RACHEL WEINSTOCK
Co-Editor-in-Chief
uilford County stu
dents at 31 schools are fill
ing their closets with more
than "Back to School" gear
from the local mall because
of a new "Sfandard Mode of
Dress." In ofher words, Cone
Elemenfary, Bluford
Elemenfary, Allen Middle,
Aycock Middle, Dudley
High, and High Point
Central High, among others,
are adopting school
uniforms as policy.
"Research shows fhat sfu-
dents perform better when
dressed in a uniform or a
SMOD. This would be our
main reason behind it," said
High Point Central Assistant
Principal James Johnson.
However, research con
ducted at Michigan State
University concluded that
the effectiveness of uniforms
in controlling student
behavior and promoting
academic performance
varies from school to school;
it does not have an over
whelmingly positive or
negative effect.
Typically, an outfit for a
male in compliance with a
Standard Mode of Dress
policy consisfs of a fucked-
in polo shirf, khaki panfs,
and a belf. Kiser Middle
School's website states
that shirts must be
in white, yellow, dark green
or light gray and must be
free of trim and logo. Bot
toms must be black, navy,
khaki, or white. Logos may
be no larger than a credit
card, although many options
are available emblazoned
with school logos.
Although some students
may be unhappy with
the lack of creativity
in their wardrobes, a
uniform often reduces the
amount , of money spenf
on clothing.
"I have priced many
and find them to be cheaper
than 'regular' clothing.
We help those who cannot af
ford one," said Johnson.
According fo Kiser's
policy; failure fo adhere
fo SMOD guidelines leads
to a student missing class
and waiting for a parenf fo
bring an appropriate outfit.
Those adolescents who
repeatedly rebel will be
subject to disciplinary
action similar in nature to
that given for any other
noncompliant behavior. For
High Point Central, however,
students seem to accept
SMOD with little resistance.
"Parents have been
very supportive, and the
students have complied with
really no issues to speak of,"
said Johnson.
Despite this acceptance,
many students are relieved
that uniforms are not
required in all Guilford
County Schools.
Kiser Guidelines
Shirts must remain
tucked in at the waist at
all times.
-Only the top two buttons
on any shirt maybe un
buttoned.
-Undershirts must be in
SMOD colors and shirts
must be shorter than
outer shirtsleeves.
-Waistbands must rest
no lower than one inch
below the elbow with
arms bent.
-Hemlines must be no
shorter than two inches
above the knee and
no longer than 1 inch
below the ankle.
-No flip flops and no open
toed shoes.
"I'm glad we don't have to inappropriate dress. Teach-
wear uniforms," said fresh- ing colleagues at other el-
man Rachel WieselquNt.^^'^^Wrentary, middle, and high
"They infringe upon our
right to express ourselves."
Teachers, however, often
waver in their opinions.
"The pros of uniforms
are that they help to
eliminate some of the prob
lems associated with fashion.
It would greatly reduce
issues of busting kids for
schools have reported
some positive observations
regarding behavior, and
after initial cost, it could
save money. However, even
though I am obviously not a
fashion queen, I do not like
being limited in what I can
wear," said biology teacher
Ruth Moss.
Whirlies welcome new administrators
■BY COURTNEY BROWN
News Editor
Replacing Interim Prin
cipal John Eldridge, Kevin F.
Fleming left Maryland to join
the administrative staff as
principal in July. Joining him
as an assistant principal
is Kevin S. Miller from
Connecticut, who started in
early September.
Adding Miller to the staff
increased the number of
assistant principals from
three to four.
Before coming to North
Carolina, Fleming served as
Principal at Fallston High, a
public school in Fallston,
Maryland. Miller worked for
the District of New Haven,
Connecticut for twenty
years, where he served
as principal or assistant
principal for elementary
schools, middle schools,
and high schools. Many of
these schools have been
low-performing schools
with atirisk students. There
fore, his new position in a
school that ranked in
Newsweek's "Top 100 High
Schools of the Nation"
awards him with several
new challenges.
Fleming and Miller have
already exchanged new
ideas and set goals for the
upcoming year. Fleming
hopes to continue reaching
new standards of excellence.
He intends to implement
some new programs,
including senior projects,
and master tutors.
Miller's goals comple
ment Fleming's plans.
"It is my aspiration to
support the development of
a professional learning com
munity under Principal
Fleming's leadership," said
Miller. "Also, to establish a
school of excellence based on
the following five pillars:
rigor, high expectations,
data-driven decision mak
ing, collaboration, and safety
opinion
Jena 6 incites
strong reaction
both locally and
nationally page 2
features
Up Close and
personal with new
principal Kevin
Fleming page 4
sports
Beckham takes
spotlight as new
American sports
icon page 12
for students and staff, as well
as maintaining the school's
outstanding traditions."
Both Fleming and Miller
have already been engaging
with students and faculty
What Fleming noticed
first was the fun, friendly
people who populate
the grounds.
Milter has also
noted similar qualities of
his new workplace.
"I am very impressed
with the students and
civil culture of the South,"
said Miller.
The "civil culture of the
south" is one of the many
reasons Miller chose North
Carolina as his new home.
"I chose North Carolina to
give my family a better qu^-
ity of life within a spiritually-
based community that con
tinues to respect the need for
values," said Miller.
Miller attended the Uni
versity of Connecticut for his
undergraduate degree, a
Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science. He then continued
his schooling by earning his
master's degree in education
from the University
of Bridgeport, also located
in Connecticut. Finally,
Miller received his
Administrative Certificate
from Southern Connecticut
State University.
Miller has other career
aspirations that do
. not relate to his administra
tive position.
"It is my goal to be an
author and consultant,"
said Miller.
As the new year
begins, both Fleming and
Miller will be working
hard to improve upon
past administrations and
excelling within their
own tenure. School stake
holders willwait to see if
these gentlemen's efforts
prove effective.