Navy Blue The Color Of Choice For Kent Junior High Uniforms

So long baggy jeans, brand-name shirts and boot-leg pants. This year students at Kent Junior High will be seeing blue - navy blue, to be exact.

After nearly two years of rigorous meetings, questionnaires and much discussion, the school was to be the first in the Kent School District to implement a student-uniform policy as classes began today.

"Parents want school personnel focusing on those activities which focus on students' learning," not on what they are wearing, said Colleen Nelson, the school's principal.

School officials hope the uniforms will enhance academic achievement, increase safety and ease the school-to-work transition.

"Uniforms are an attempt to (focus on) students' achievements because we are taking care of who is wearing what and what brand," Nelson said.

In February President Clinton issued a school-uniform manual in support of uniforms, and several schools throughout the area are following the trend.

Students at Whittier Elementary School in Everett, Madrona Elementary School in the Highline School District and Meany Middle School in Seattle began wearing uniforms last year.

They joined Seattle's African American Academy, South Shore Middle School, and Colman and Brighton elementary schools.

Renee Penman, an administrative assistant for the Kent School District, said that of the expected 800 students at the junior high, 79 percent of the parents approved of the uniforms, while 72 percent of the students voted against.

Despite the students' disapproval, seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders will be required to wear navy-blue slacks, skirts or skorts (a cross between a skirt and shorts), with a polo-style shirt - white, navy blue or forest green - and athletic or dress shoes.

"Our expectation is that kids are in uniform the first day," Nelson said.

For those students who want to savor their individualism or cannot afford uniforms, which are to be purchased by parents at a local clothing store, Nelson said some uniforms will be available on campus through the PTSA.

"We have several initiatives in place to help parents get on board," Nelson said.

Why navy blue?

"We felt it was a neat, clean-looking color. . . . We wanted something that was an enduring, classic look," Nelson said.

For at least the next year it appears that Kent Junior High will be the only school in the district to require uniforms. But Gwen Dupree, the assistant superintendent for secondary schools, said that could change.

"There has been some discussion, but it hasn't advanced too far yet," Dupree said. Antoinette Alexander's phone message number is 206-464-3140. Her e-mail address is: aale-new@seatimes.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- School begins

The first day of classes came early to two area public-school districts, with Marysville and Renton both starting last Wednesday. And it comes late to Seattle, where students don't have to return to school until Monday.

All the other districts are starting either today or tomorrow:

Today: Arlington, Auburn, Bellevue, Darrington, Edmonds, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Lake Stevens, Lake Washington, Northshore, Riverview, Shoreline, Stanwood, Sultan and Tahoma.

Tomorrow: Everett, Granite Falls, Highline, Issaquah, Lakewood, Mercer Island, Monroe, Mukilteo, Snohomish, Snoqualmie Valley and South Central.