Survey finds broad support for uniforms at Carson City middle school
CARSON CITY — A telephone survey of Carson Middle School parents conducted this weekend shows broad support for the concept of school uniforms, reports Principal Sam Santillo.
A presentation of the survey findings, which shows 66 percent support among CMS parents, will be discussed tonight during the regular meeting of the Carson City School District board. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William Street. We'll have live coverage of the meeting.
Tonight's presentation and discussion will be on the proposed changes to school district policy regarding dress and behavior code, which would allow for the implementation of the Positive Behavior Support program. A vote on the policy changes is expected later this month.
Right now Carson Middle School is on target to implement the Standard Student Attire (SSA) for next year. If approved by the board, CMS would be the only school in the district to require uniforms. If the program is successful, other schools in the district could implement the standards.
By using existing Nevada laws already in place that allow for school uniforms, Santillo said he has the support of the school community, superintendent Richard Stokes and, he believes, the school board to implement the plan.
The program is part of an overall change in the dress and behavior code at the middle school, Santillo explained.
"We are doing the SSA in cooperation with Positive Behavior Support (PBS), a nationally-recognized program that schools use to promote a positive supported school culture," he said. "Basically it recognizes kids for doing the right thing: For being positive, for following the rules, for being safe and having respectful behavior."
Pine Middle School and Vaughn Middle School in Washoe County have implemented similar SSA and PBS programs and report a noticeable difference in student behavior and school climate, Santillo said.
"They feel they have had success in addressing the school climate and culture there. The data from Pine shows fewer truancies; fighting has gone down as has inappropriate behavior and school violence," he said. "They attribute it to the implementation of SSA and PBS."
Regarding the actual uniforms themselves, students will vote on the color of polo shirts they will be wearing, which will have the CMS school logo, Santillo said. The choices are either a navy blue or a light blue. Already decided would be khaki or black pants, skirts, dress shorts or capris pants.
In other business tonight, the school board will be given an update on the district's Nutrition Services consulting contract.
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