By Tamara Huntley

Beginning in Aug. 2003, 20 DeKalb County high schools will initiate the uniform portion of the “Dress for Success” program. Each school has adopted two shirt colors and two pant colors. 

While uniforms have been mandatory in middle and elementary schools since Jan. 2003, many DeKalb high schools chose voluntary compliance for the remainder of the year. Chamblee asked that students wear uniforms on Fridays. 

With the 2003-04 school year approaching, opposition to the mandatory uniform policy is rising. The school board, however, is offering an alternative. 

Parents may submit to the principal a “Dress for Success” waiver form to excuse their child from wearing the set uniform colors. 

The form asks parents and students to explain their reason for opposing the uniforms and to list their proposed alternatives to the respective “colors and styles.”

Principal Cheryl Finke will review CCHS waivers in May, June, and July and will have conferences with applicants to discuss their validity. 

Finke will then decide to accept or reject the applicants requests. 

All students granted a waiver will still be required to adhere to the dress code portion of the “Dress for Success” program. 

“We need to get rid of baggy pants, the midriffs showing, and the low-cut shirts. It’s not conductive of the environment for trying to teach students,” Finke said. 

“I’m very angry. Uniforms take away our individualism,” said junior Chris Fulford. 

Although Fulford does not agree with the uniform policy, he and many other CCHS students will not apply for a waiver. 

Fulford said his parents would not allow him to opt out of wearing uniforms. 

“I really like picking out my clothes the night before,” said sophomore Kait Stanhope, who is applying for a waiver.

Stanhope’s parents support her decision to challenge the new uniform policy.

In addition, all county high schools must now adopt methods to enforce the uniform policy and distinguish between students who must wear uniforms and students who have other

 options. 

Possibilities include posting a list of students with approved waivers and the clothes they have agreed to wear. 

“Dress for Success” waiver forms are currently available in the main office.

Students and teachers can schedule appointments with Finke through her secretary, Carol Sandhagen.