School District Has Dress Code, and Is Buying the Uniforms, Too


In Elizabeth, N.J., Eddie Sanchez, a third grader, takes a look at his new school uniform

By WINNIE HU
Published: September 4, 2007
The New York Times


ELIZABETH, N.J., Aug. 30 — Many public schools are supplying their students with an ever-growing list of essentials that go far beyond textbooks to include scientific calculators, personal laptops and free breakfast.

Now they are dressing them, too.

The Elizabeth school district has spent more than $2 million since January 2006 to buy navy blazers, khaki pants, polo shirts, gym shorts and even socks as part of a new policy to put all its students in uniforms.

The district, which serves mostly poor and minority families, has outfitted more than 9,000 students — nearly half its enrollment — so far as it phases in the uniforms a few schools at a time over five years to spread out the cost.

“They’re just getting another school supply; that’s how we see it,â€