A large majority of students would prefer no uniform at Steinmetz, a Star survey of 366 freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors shows. Of survey takers, 93 percent chose no uniform to the 7 percent that prefer having a uniform.

Freshmen chose the uniform more than other students, with 14 percent preferring the uniform.

Nearly 100 survey-takers shared signed comments for publication. Most wrote about the lack of comfort and creative expression, as well as the cost. [See www.steinmetzstar.com.] Some noted that Steinmetz is different from other area schools.

“It’s not fair that we have a uniform when other schools don’t,” sophomore Brian Gonzalez said.

The best schools don’t require uniforms

Of non-charter, non-military public high schools on the north side, only Steinmetz and Kelvyn Park require uniforms.

Unlike Steinmetz, most of the schools that require uniforms have high levels of poverty. Most are located on the west side and south side of Chicago.

Very few of the uniform-required schools are rated 1 or 1+. Steinmetz moved up to a 2+ rating this year. [See www.steinmetzstar.com for a comparison of the public high schools in Chicago.]

Students from other schools don’t understand

Students from schools without uniforms don’t understand why Steinmetz requires one.

“It’s a limit on teenagers’ creativity,” Kenwood Academy senior Jackson Fabiyi said.

“I think it’s f___ing dumb that you guys have to wear khakis, as if you’re in a charter school,” Jada McGarry from  Prosser Career Academy said. “You’re not. Aren’t you supposed to have more freedom?”

While some students like to wear khakis once in awhile, they can’t fathom wearing them everyday.

“Khakis are horrible; I can’t image how girls feel on that time of the month,” Jones College Prep senior Morgan Pearlman said.

The students said they would not choose to attend a school with a Steinmetz-like uniform. Jackson said, “I wouldn’t go to a school with such a strict uniform policy.” •

Of non-charter, non-military public high schools on the north side of Chicago, only Steinmetz and Kelvyn Park require uniforms. Most schools at a level 1 or 1+, by the CPS School Quality Rating Policy (SQRP), do not require uniforms.

The following, divided by grade level, are some of the signed comments, transcribed by the 8th period journalism class.

Freshmen

“The uniforms make the school depressing.”

Cesar Escamila, freshman

“I hate getting in trouble for it.”

Anthony Martinez, freshman

“Because who wears uniforms?”

Giovanni Anaya, freshman

“Wearing our own clothes lets us be us.”

Omar Hasayeh, freshman

“I say no uniform ‘cause some people don’t have money to buy gym clothes, a $13 uniform shirt and pants.”

Keana Smith, freshman

“No uniforms because I want to show people what I wear.”

Krystian, freshman

“I don’t like wearing the same green colored shirt.”

Iverson Amparan, freshman

“My reason is because wearing uniforms are part of our school grade.”

Nathaniel Kndx, freshman

“No uniforms hold less restriction on students and it helps us express ourselves as people through fashion.”

Tamia Martinez, freshman

“To be honest, the uniforms aren’t too outrageous and the reason for their existence in the first place is because people abused their freedom. I doubt our demographic will be more responsible than the last one.”

Seth Kline, freshman

“I choose no uniforms because I want to dress up the way I want to dress up and not being forced to to wear something I don’t want to wear.”

Mark Jimenez, freshman

“My family can’t afford the clothing and plus I don’t like them.”

Clonde Gutierrez, freshman

“Uniform is lame, no one likes it. People like to be in their own clothes. My whole life it’s been uniforms. When it gets dirty we need to wash it.”

Rafael Garcia, freshman

“No because I’m tired of wasting money for more clothes.”

Fernando Paredes, freshman

“What we wear lets us be who we are.”

Jaden Melendez, freshman

“I feel students should have the freedom to choose what they want to wear.”

Jonathan Mendez, freshman

“No, because I don’t like uniform that’s the whole purpose of the ID’s and temps.”

Victor Diaz, freshman

“Uniforms prevent bullying based on what someone wears, and takes up less time to decide what to wear! You can definitely express yourself in other ways!”

Aleksandra Walediak, freshman

“It would stress me out to look for different clothes everyday”.

Ashley Palacios, freshman

Sophomores

“There should not be any uniform because most people feel weird with their uniform.”

Davion White, sophomore

“I want to be able to come to school with joggers and a t-shirt instead of khakis.”

Jalina Garay, sophomore

“I think we should at least be able to wear jeans.”

Fernando Arroyo, sophomore

“We should express ourselves freely. No rules.“

Karime Ramirez, sophomore

“ We shouldn’t have uniform. Uniform doesn’t come as an obstacle when i’m trying to get an A in my math class nor in any other subject.”

Kristal Gomez, sophomore

“We should not wear uniforms because to be honest I just don’t like them and I would rather wear clothes I like.”

Zamzam Dalis, sophomore

“I don’t really like the uniform because people should express the way they like dressing.”

Luis Sosa, sophomore

“Uniform is ugly and cost extra money like for what.”

Mia Villamil, sophomore

“I believe that everyone is unique. They deserve to voice themselves in any way, shape or form.”

Alyssa Smith, sophomore

“I think the uniform just makes the school look more boring than it actually is. We should showcase how interesting and unique the students and school really are.”

Angelina Villarreal, sophomore

“I don’t like the uniforms.”

Jesus Manzanares, sophomore

“I’d like to come to school in my own clothes that are comfortable and make me feel confident.”

Abigail Lacrosse, sophomore

“No uniforms because other Chicago public schools don’t wear uniforms. It’s not fair that we have to do it when other schools don’t have to wear uniforms.”

Brian Gonzalez, sophomore

“People should be able to express themselves freely and wear what they want.”

Kari Garcia, sophomore

“I don’t like the school uniforms, why not bring our normal clothes.”

Marvin DeLeon, sophomore

“The uniforms are ugly and I don’t like it.”

Christopher Torres, sophomore

“I hate the khakis.”

Christian Honorable, sophomore

“Hate uniform.”

George Lopez, sophomore

“I think we shouldn’t be using uniforms because there are some who can’t buy uniforms at the time or only have 3 or 4 shirts, but that isn’t enough”

Giovanni Saldado,sophomore

“I don’t like the school uniform and I would like to see some color in Steinmetz.”

Kevin Delgado, sophomore

“People like me do not have a lot of money for new clothes or clean clothes so it’s better with no uniform.”

JoseAngel Carreno, sophomore

“No one likes uniforms.”

Jesse Zetina, sophomore

“I think uniforms are stupid. Why do we need to wear uniforms? I feel that wearing uniforms don’t let us express ourselves and people don’t get to know our personality we should be able to express who we really are.”

Leslie Jimenez, sophomore

“Why would we wear uniforms? It’s hard getting these pants to match this uniform.”

Terryiana Jones, sophomore

“It would be better to remove the uniform.”

Angeluz Carreno, senior

“I don’t like matching with others and I don’t like the uniforms.”

Brian Garcia, sophomore

“I think that wearing uniforms is not for high school. Wearing uniform makes us feel that we are still in middle school, it makes us feel childish.”

Geovonnie Boyd, sophomore

“I feel we shouldn’t wear uniforms because it would be more easier for kids to go to school and if people knew how to dress it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Makalah Leach, sophomore

“I don’t mind wearing uniforms.”

Iris, sophomore

“I think we should keep our uniforms because maybe not a lot of kids have clothes to wear or if they do I feel like kids might take it too far. I think they should change the khakis though to whatever pants.”

Autumn Silcox, sophomore

“High school is about expressing yourself. Whether it’s through your work, clothes, what you do, or just whatever involves your interests”

Trinity Garcia, sophomore

Juniors

“The uniform policy is a hassle. I would rather wear something comfortable instead of khakis and the green polo. It is also a waste of money for families because I know I won’t wear it out of school or after. Students should be able to express themselves.”

Jay Ann Perez, junior

“Some people cannot afford multiple uniforms. If you wear two polo shirts everyday you would need to wash your clothes too much. Khakis get dirty so easily and are hard to find.”

Valeriia Lytrak, junior

“It decreases discrimination and it makes all of us equal.”

Jocelyn Lopez, junior

“No uniform because it allows self expression. Anything is better than khakis. They care more about the pants than our grades. We want to be comfy at school.”

Diana Paramo, junior

“Some of us feel more comfortable without the uniform. We should be able to wear our sweaters that are not from Steinmetz.”

Alexis Diaz, junior

“I feel uncomfortable using uniform.”

Lara Banez, junior

“I hate wearing uniform.”

Angie Melchor, junior

“No uniform.”

Berenice Jerez, junior

“My khaki’s are short and look ridiculous on me, I’m having trouble getting new ones my size. Very bad for my self image.”

Hassan Daniel, junior

“Uniforms are quite expensive due to most high schools having no uniforms, so khakis are expensive.”

Keyla Garcia, junior

“Uniforms benefits us in no way. It doesn’t stop bullying like they say it does. It makes us look bad because schools with uniforms have “bad” students. It’s expensive, ugly, uncomfortable, not in my size. The uniforms hurts us.”

Sammie Chafa, junior

Seniors

“It doesn’t really matter anymore because there’s always gonna be people who break the rules. So I’m neutral.”
Leslie Sequeira, senior

“It’s more comfortable wearing our own jeans. We’re just wasting money on pants only used for school. I don’t mind the Steinmetz shirts but I want jeans back like freshman year.”

Noe Lagunas, senior

“Our school has moved up and gotten better, so we should be rewarded with no uniform.”

Lia Cruz, senior

“Uniforms are too much.”

Bree M., senior

“Uniforms don’t stop the dumb, wannabe gangster kids from grouping together. There’s no point in having uniforms anymore. There are zero to none gang fights.”

Gustavo Carmona, senior

Uniform at Steinmetz is disgusting. Having to see everyone wearing the same thing is sad. Style is a great way of expressing who you are, and sadly that was taken away from us. We look like one big depressed school. No wonder why no one wants to come here.

Vinnie Rivera, senior

“I honestly think our school has gotten really good. I think the upperclassmen should be privileged with no uniform.”

Natalie Velasco, senior

“I am a young lady, therefore I get my menstrual cycle every month. I hate having to wear khakis in fear that I’ll stain myself. I would rather be in comfy clothes such as joggers and a warm sweater.”

Yuridia Galavis, senior

“It would be better off not to have uniform, students should feel comfortable. It also shows other schools that Steinmetz isn’t a bad school which may persuade others to visit this school.”

Michelle Hernandez, senior

“School uniforms limit our self confidence and our creativity to be ourselves. People are beautiful and diverse, so by wearing the uniform we are being stripped away from that. We should be trusted to act responsibly with no uniforms. I know not all people are responsible, but punish them, not the others whom actually want to do this.”

Leticia Perez, senior

“Without uniform we can be more comfortable”

Fatima Andrea Aguilar, senior

“No because it is our last year, we wanna enjoy it.“

Zaid, senior

“Spirit week was one of the best weeks of school, simply because students were able to express themselves. Faculty members don’t understand that students feel more comfortable being able to wear whatever they want.”

Yahaira Villatoro, senior

“Let the students express themselves and find themselves.”

Tyrek Gates, senior

“I feel like there shouldn’t be any uniform because majority of Chicago public schools have no uniform.”

Kyiah Morris, senior

“I can’t express myself when I’m in uniform.”

Alma Carmona, senior

“I think it would be better if we didn’t have uniform because we could wear comfy clothes.”

Katherine Garcia, senior

“Be free to wear what we want.”

Marcelo Roa, senior

“No we shouldn’t because this isn’t a private school to be wearing uniform, they don’t even wear uniform.”

Angela Perez, senior

“We should be able to wear what we want. What we wear to school doesn’t affect the way we learn.”

Sofia Velagas, senior

“I have a lot of clothes I’d like to wear.”

Aja Williams, senior

“I feel like there is no originality in the school. The schools surrounding such as Prosser and Chicago Academy have no uniforms. Why should we?”

Daria Velazquez, senior

“I don’t like the khaki pants.”

Miguel Lopez, senior

“No uniform allows us to come comfortable, express ourselves and be unique. All in one uniforms just make us one.”

Jada N. Briggs, senior

“Less problems and you don’t have to think about what to wear.”

Chiya Loyd, senior

“It keeps the students more focused and they don’t have to worry about being bullied about what he or she wears.”

Jazmyne Evans, senior

After I spoke at the Dec. 14, 2016, Local School Council meeting about disliking the uniform, one of the parents on the council, Edeau Long-Oden, responded that the uniforms are for safety. I emailed her, asking her what she meant. Her reply follows:

Hi Jamara,

When we say safety… we, being parents and staff, mean we know who belongs to the Steinmetz family and who doesn’t. When I drop off my children in the morning and everyone looks consistent with the Steinmetz colors and uniforms I know who belongs to our school community. That’s how I know our children who are coming to school to be educated from the vagrant rouges who may be at the school to pose a threat. Example, if I see a group of children being harassed, jumped, bullied etc. with our uniform on I feel more privy to intervene.

Another example: people freely roaming the building to either cause mass harm or ruckus in the building…well, if there is no uniform, no ID, they’d tend to stick out just a little more as opposed to blending in with the student body and causing mass destruction, without it.

Nothing is 100% fool-proof, but if it saves lives and makes it easier for our children to be identified, I’m all for it. Not to mention the distraction and senseless bullying of whose wearing what. This provides an even advantage for all children to come to school and focus on your education and future.

I hope this helps with clarity on how we want our students safe.

The following article, with additional rationale for the Steinmetz uniform policy other LSC members, was published Nov. 3, 2016

By Agape Alfaro, Elise Guillen, Alina Qureshy, Jade Aguilar and Erika Carrasco

In an attempt to communicate the decision-making process and the rationale for the new uniform requirement, the Star interviewed the Steinmetz principal, current Local School Council (LSC) president and teachers on the Professional Personnel Leadership Committee (PPLC)

Interview with Principal Stephen Ngo on Sept. 26

Newspaper club students interviewed Principal Stephen Ngo in August (above) and September. The August interview was for a feature in the Star’s Sept. 2016 issue.  (Photo by Ms. Sharon Schmidt.)

Star: Why did the uniform policy change?

Mr. Ngo: Because there was a feeling that old policy had become too lax and students weren’t adhering to it and adults weren’t enforcing it.

Star: Why was the uniform policy implemented in the first place?

Mr. Ngo: The old uniform policy was a topic among LSC members and they wanted a more stringent and clear cut policy, because the old one was confusing.

Star: Why not drop it?

Mr. Ngo: You shouldn’t just drop it because it’s not working. An overwhelming number of students are complying with the new policy. There are no complaints from teachers. Numerous teachers told me that they like the policy.

Star: What is your feeling?

Mr. Ngo: There’s a higher level of attention among the students.

Star Why is Santana the vendor selling the shirts?

Mr. Ngo: I don’t want to be in the shirt selling business, I want to be in the education businesses. We lost $1.6 million from the school budget this year.

Star: What if a girl is on her period and stains her khakis?

Mr. Ngo: We’ve been taking it by a case by case basis so students can come to us about concerns.

LSC president Vanessa Valentin responds to student concerns at the Sept. 14 meeting. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

Interview with LSC President Vanessa Valentin

The Star interviewed Ms. Valentin a few weeks after the September LSC meeting, where she had responded to students who spoke during public participation about the uniform.

In the interview with the Star she said the decision to change the uniform was made by previous LSC during the 2015-16 school year. She said she doesn’t know why they decided on khaki pants.

Ms. Valentin’s father, Jose Quiles, was the LSC president last year.

“As a parent I support the uniform,” Ms. Valentin said. She has a son who is a sophomore at Steinmetz. She graduated from Lincoln Park High School.

Ms. Valentin said that the uniform feels safer because of the identification with other students. She said it saves money because it’s cheaper than buying designer clothes. It makes no fashion statement and there are no arguments with her son, she said.

She said having a uniform policy is not a big deal because other schools have uniforms.

Students buy uniform shirts from Santana’s in the first week of school.

She said students’ voices matter and that the LSC needs connection with students. She said that she sees “students owning the uniform policy.” She said that students look great.

Ms. Valentin said that it hurts that students are so upset about uniform. A student called her a name one morning, she said.

“I’m supporting it to be a mom, not a bad person,” she said.

The Star asked Ms. Valentin about the Belmont Cragin business Santana selling the shirts.

Ms. Valentin said that it costs the school no money to require a uniform because Steinmetz is using a third party. She said she didn’t know how much money Santana makes selling the uniforms.

She said, “After 13 shirts are bought, Santana gives back one to the school.”

Second interview with Ms. Valentin includes gift of uniform for reporter

Ms. Valentin talked with reporter Jade Aguilar again on Oct. 20, after Ms. Valentin texted, suggesting an additional meeting.

When they met she gave Jade a long-sleeved Steinmetz uniform polo, a regular short sleeve polo, a Steinmetz sweater and joggers, which Jade felt was very kind.

Ms. Valentin said she is here to work for the students, that students are her first priority. She said she wanted to meet with students who had responded to the Star survey that they did not like the uniform. (The Star surveyed 690 students, 665 indicated that it isn’t their first choice.) She said she was willing to meet with students in Room 122.

“I am not the uniform Nazi,” Ms. Valentin said. “I want to hear kids.”

LSC president Vanessa Valentin holds up a sweatshirt created by Santana. For a while, students were told that the Steinmetz hoodies they bought last year were not allowed. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

She said she wants to get student involvement. She wants to “change the narrative,” the way that we see this school, she said.

Ms. Valentin also said that she would like to showcase the diversity of the school in an assembly to promote pride in individual’s heritage.

Interview with Joe Santana

The owner of Santana’s, Joe Santana, told the Star that he doesn’t make that much profit.

He didn’t say how much money he made on each shirt.

“Last week I lost money,” he said. “I don’t always make a profit.”

LSC student representatives spoke out in the past

In both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years, students and teachers raised the issue of ending the school uniform with the principal and at the LSC meetings.

After Taft, Foreman, Clemente, Roosevelt and North Grand High Schools dropped their uniform requirement in 2014, LSC student representative Emily Santiago reported the story for the Star. She also analyzed uniform requirements along with school ratings and found that the best schools (at that time rated Level 1 or 2 on a 3 point scale) did not require uniforms.

Although the story laid out the facts, she said that the LSC was upset at the idea that there was a correlation. In addition, she said that when LSC parent members saw the story they were upset that their views weren’t presented. She invited them to write letters to the editor or to make comments on the online story.

In March 2016, student LSC representative Emony Tate shared student opinions about the uniform policy in her student report, which she published in the March-April 2016 Star.

“Get rid of them,” she said. “Uniforms do not decrease violence. They do not lower the suspension rate.”

Jose Quiles was the LSC president during the 2015-16 school year when Steinmetz gave Santana a contract to be the vendor. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

Teachers take up the issue, advise abolishing the uniform

Professional Personnel Leadership Committee (PPLC) members discussed abolishing uniforms and just having a dress code policy when they met in the March and April of 2016.

Teachers said that having no uniforms would save money, free up discipline team resources, support a positive student climate and lead to better community perception.The group noted that most top rated schools do not have uniforms and uniforms are now perceived to be for the “bad” schools.

Discussion led to the suggestion of a survey. Of 46 responses (teaching, counseling, PSRP, security) 61 percent were in favor of abolishing the uniform requirement. (Last year the uniform was much less narrow than this year. Students could wear jeans or other pants and any Steinmetz related shirt).

At the April 14 LSC meeting teacher Michelle Mottram presented the PPLC information.

Ms. Valentin suggested the Parent Advisory Council could survey parents. Mr. Quiles said that the uniforms do not have to come out of the school budget because they are working with a vendor that would supply uniforms on “consignment”. The vendor would sell uniforms directly to the students at orientation. Mr. Quiles said a contract has already been signed with this vendor.

There was a discussion about who would pay for uniforms for students who could not afford them, forget to wear them, or transferred in.

Another parent on the council, Ms.Garcia, said there should be a zero tolerance policy towards uniform; if you aren’t in uniform at the door you don’t come in. There was much discussion about why the policy was enacted 16 years ago – gangs, bullying, and security issues. Mr. Quiles said the newly elected LSC could revisit the issue.

The uniform policy is the major topic students have been talking about since the beginning of the year, and most of the talk has been negative.

After last year’s less demanding requirement, in which students could wear any Steinmetz-related shirt and pants of their choosing, the stricter policy came as a surprise. This year’s policy – khaki pants and a green uniform polo only – was announced on July 22 by robo-call and told to students at registration.

After nearly 10 weeks of school, students are still talking about it.

“Forcing students to wear this uniform is absurd,” senior Ethan Miranda said. (He and the other seniors, including the group pictured above, wore clothes of their choice for the their panoramic photo on Sept. 27, without incident.)

Ethan Miranda was told on Thursday, Nov. 3, the day after the Chicago Cubs won the World Series, that he could not wear his Cubs shirt. “The uniform policy is absurd,” he said. (Photo by Jesus Cortez.)

Students say they don’t like the uniform for the following reasons:

• It’s costly to buy new shirts and pants.
• Students prefer wearing clothes of their choice.
• The pants get dirty easily; girls feel uncomfortable wearing them on their period.
• The pants and shirts are uncomfortable and difficult to fit right.
• Uniforms take away from self-expression and team/club pride.
• Most public high schools no longer require uniforms.
• Students had no say in the new policy.
• It’s a distraction for teachers and staff to have to enforce it.

[In addition to our report on students’ reactions to wearing the uniform, the Star’s coverage of the changed policy includes several stories that investigate reasons why the policy was enacted, a comparison of north side high schools and results from a survey of Steinmetz students that the Star took during the month of October. Additional student reactions to the uniform may be found in testimonies from Crystal Roman, Christian Perez and Jesse Hernandez, who spoke at the Sept. 14 Local School Council (LSC) meeting.

Expensive

Most students needed to spend money buying the uniform, especially the pants.

“Why make us buy pants when we already have some in our closet?” senior Leinaliz Miranda said.

Most students already owned several pairs of other pants.

“I only owned one pair of khakis before the change, and also I had gone jean shopping in the beginning of the summer for the sole purpose to have new pairs of jeans to wear around school, just to get the news a couple weeks later that we are unable to wear jeans,” senior Vanessa Tamayo said. “My friends and I were really annoyed, for we had to go shopping once again to buy khakis. I found that khakis were almost $10 more than a pair of jeans.”

Many sophomores, juniors and seniors had spent money on gray Steinmetz shirts and joggers in the past that now they are unable to wear.

Two weeks after wearing the new uniform, several students spoke about the problems listed in this article at the Sept. 14 Local School Council meeting. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

“The old Steinmetz shirts are no longer any use to us and we spent a lot of money for them,” senior Jose Sevilla said.

“We are going to be out of school and all that money that we wasted on the uniform will not come back when we graduate,” senior Odaliz Renteria said. “If we use clothes that we have we could use them every day. It is a waste of money and hard for those who don’t have enough money.”

Clothes don’t fit or feel right

For many people, the uniform doesn’t fit right. It’s a challenge to find pants that fit and look as good as jeans.

“People struggle to find khakis that they can actually fit, such as me,” senior Ahmari Owens said.

Some people also don’t like the size and feel of the polo shirts, preferring t-shirts: “The polos are too big and uncomfy,” junior Jane Nero said.

Most people would prefer to wear clothes they like and that fit better.

“We as students need to feel comfortable to learn,” senior Izabella Kulik

When students only own a few pairs of pants and shirts, they have to do a lot of laundry: “The uniform is stupid and ugly,” Jane said. “Khakis cost a lot so some students can’t afford multiple pairs.”

Light colored pants are problematic

Emily Mercado spoke at the October 12 LSC meeting about how uncomfortable it is for girls to wear khaki pants when they’re having their period. (Photo by Mauricio Huerta.)

Khaki pants are a light material, which can be dirtied easier and can be a hassle, especially when you are a girl and have to deal with a menstrual cycle.

It is hard to get a stain off something light such as khakis.

“We all have lunch and sometimes we just can’t avoid some stains of ketchup or any sauce, also chocolate milk,” Vanessa said. “Yes, it does leave a permanent stain and I have my khakis to prove it.”

Other students said ink stains show up more on khakis than on jeans.

Another reason girls don’t like wearing khakis is the possibility of bloodstains.

“We get our menstrual flow every month and if it’s heavy we have to be worried the whole entire day, checking if we aren’t stained,” senior Jennifer Cruz said. “It’s really frustrating and embarrassing for us.”

Many female students mentioned this worry.

“It has even lead me to think I’m better off not going to school for a few days each month to avoid this predicament,” Vanessa said.

Students are not allowed to express themselves

Many students told the Star that they wish they had more self-expression.

“The uniform policy eliminates my freedom of being able to express my personality,” sophomore Jay Ann Perez said. “I like wearing vibrant or neutral colors like bright yellow or maroon instead of boring green and beige khakis.”

While there was a requirement last year to wear a Steinmetz shirt, there was variety.

“The school lost its sense of originality,” Vanessa said. “Though before we had to wear uniform shirts, we were more free. Not everyone had the exact same clothes. It just feels like we are being held by the neck with this uniform thing and I like to be free; everyone likes to be free to express themselves.”

This year Steinmetz does not allow athletes and club members to wear their shirts.

“I was proud to be a student at Steinmetz,” senior Evelyn Antolino said. “I play soccer. When we got our shirts and jackets, I wore them all the time. I was happy to show my shirt and say I’m from Steinmetz.”

Students at the LSC meeting in September talked about the variety of Steinmetz shirts students were no longer allowed to wear. Some students asked that they be allowed to wear their sport or club shirt every Friday. Other students think that compromise doesn’t offer enough. Last year students wore these shirts any day they wanted to wear them. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

While some school officials have asserted that students look good in the uniform, many students disagree.

“I feel it looks unappealing,” Izabella said. “I feel uncomfortable, like I’m in a prison. In prison everyone dresses the same; they committed a crime so they have a punishment.”

Students have only been allowed out of uniform a few times during the first quarter – for the senior panoramic photo, spirit week and two special Friday celebrations of the Cubs and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Students were happy to wear clothing of their choice.

“Spirit Week was the first time I could breathe,” sophomore Jesus Cortez said.

Students had no say in this

The new uniform policy change surprised and angered many students. Over the summer students posted their reactions on Facebook.

“I got a call yesterday on my home phone saying that students are only allowed to wear polo shirts and khaki pants,” a junior wrote on July 22. “I was fine with last year’s uniform policy, but the fact that they’re making it more strict, along with no explanation, is what’s getting under my skin.”

Another student posted a GIF of one person attacking another. She wrote: “This will happen to every security and faculty member when they come at me enforcing the new school uniform policy.”

The frustration students felt about Steinmetz moving backward on its uniform policy in September, shown by the large number of students who spoke out at the Sept. 14 LSC meeting, continued in October and through November. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

Uniform enforcement is unequal and a waste of time and effort for staff

Students don’t like being told what to do all the time. It’s also distraction for teachers and staff to have to enforce it.

In addition, teachers can’t enforce the policy equally because some students are less compliant than others. Some will not change when they are told.

“It’s unfair how they let some people get away with not wearing uniforms,” Leina said. “If they let people get away with not wearing the uniform, why even enforce it?”

Arguments in favor of the uniform are not coming from students, have been rejected by other schools

Most students didn’t see a problem with the old uniform policy. In a Star survey given to students in October, only a small group of students said they preferred wearing the uniform. The Star wasn’t able to find students to interview who had good reasons why the school should have a uniform policy.

Principal Stephen Ngo shared his reasons for the uniform in interviews with Star reporters. In a meeting with the 3rd period journalism class, he said the old policy was “too loosey goosey.” He also said without a uniform policy, students would dress inappropriately.

LSC president Vanessa Valentin shared her opinion during interviews with Star reporters and at the LSC meetings in response to students who spoke at the meetings. (See testimonies from Crystal Roman, Christian Perez, Jesse Hernandez).

At the LSC meeting in September, Ms. Valentin said the reason for the change is to benefit our security. Uniforms make it easier to identify kids from Steinmetz on the streets, so if we’re being harassed the idea is that someone from the community will come help.

Some school officials say the students look clean and organized, and it makes the less fortunate feel equal with the other students. Another argument for uniforms is that gang members can’t wear gang colors when they’re in uniform.

But most other schools on the north side of Chicago have rejected these old arguments. Steinmetz is one of the few non-charter, non-military public school to still require a uniform.

Unlike Steinmetz students, most north side students attending public high school are not required to wear school uniforms.

Schurz High School (pictured at right) dropped its uniform requirement last year.

The Star researched all the non-charter, non-military public high schools in Chicago located north of the Eisenhower Expressway, I 290.

No uniforms required

The following 31 high schools do not require uniforms:

Alcott, 2957 N. Hoyne

Amundsen, 5110 N. Damen

Crane Medical, 2245 W. Jackson

Chicago Academy, 3400 N. Austin

Chicago Arts, 2714 W. Augusta

Clemente, 1147 N. Western

DeVry, 3300 N. Campbell

Disney II, 3900 N. Lawndale

Foreman, 3235 N. LeClaire

Jones, 700 S. State

Lake View, 4015 N. Ashland

Lane, 2501 W. Addison

Lincoln Park, 2001 N. Orchard

Mather, 5835 N. Lincoln

North-Grand, 4338 W. Wabansia

Northside Learning Center, 3730 W. Bryn Mawr

Northside College Prep, 5501 N. Kedzie

Ogden, 1250 W. Erie, neighborhood

Payton, 1034 N. Wells

Prosser, 2148 N. Long

Roosevelt, 3436 W. Wilson

Schurz, 3601 N. Milwaukee

Senn, 5900 N. Glenwood

Sullivan, 6631 N. Bosworth

Taft, 6530 W. Bryn Mawr

Uplift, 900 W. Wilson

Vaughn, 4355 N. Linder

Von Steuben, 5039 N. Kimball

Westinghouse, 3223 W. Franklin

Wells, 936 N. Ashland

Whitney Young, 211 S. Laflin

Uniforms required

There are only six non-charter, non-military public high schools north of the Eisenhower Expressway that require uniforms.

Austin, 231 N. Pine

Kelvyn Park, 4343 W. Wrightwood

Marshall, 3250 W. Adams

Orr, 730 N. Pulaski,

Al Raby, 3545 W. Fulton

Steinmetz, 3030 N. Mobile

Steinmetz College Prep High School has a uniform policy more in line with charter schools and Catholic schools than with regular public schools in Chicago. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

* Star reporters who contributed to this story include Jasmin Milan, Ahmari Owens, Evelyn Antolino, Ryan Allibone, Jennifer Cloud, Aaron Borda, Ariel Garcia, Jade Aguilar, Erika Carrasco, Jose Plaza, Antonio Sanchez, Yesenia Pliego, Lexi Rosch, Vanessa Tamayo, Izabella Kulik, Daysi Posadas, Lizeth Lopez, Nathalie Rojas, Taylor Montero, Ronald Evans, David Delgado.

Of 690 students surveyed by the Steinmetz Star, only 25 said that the green polo and khaki pants uniform is their preference (four percent of those surveyed). Ninety-six percent would prefer last year’s policy or no uniform requirement at all.

Star reporters distributed the Star uniform survey in dozens of English classes (including in the sophomore class pictured at right) during the months of October. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors were asked their opinion.

The survey asked students which option they preferred from three choices:

• The current uniform of green polo and khakis
• Last year’s uniform of any Steinmetz-themed shirt with any pant
• No uniform requirement

More than half of Steinmetz’ 1,361 students were surveyed. (Source for enrollment: CPS’ “find a school” website – http://cps.edu/schools/find_a_school/Pages/findaschool.aspx).

One of the surveys taken by seniors, preferring the uniform, had the comment: “Except on Fridays.”

* Students in the newspaper club and in the 2nd and 3rd period journalism classes helped survey students and/or tabulate the survey responses.

I went to the Local School Council (LSC) meeting on September 14, 2016, as a photographer. I wasn’t planning on speaking, but after I heard the other students and the council members speaking, I decided to speak up and express what I was feeling inside.

I had wanted to stay quiet for I was only a photographer covering that meeting for my journalism class. I tried to pay attention and understand the reasons why the school would change the uniform in the first place. I thought the LSC would prove me wrong; unfortunately, that didn’t happen. 

Before the meeting was over I had to speak up. I said, “Before the meeting ends I would like to talk for the people who have concerns and who couldn’t make it to today’s meeting.”

Principal Stephen Ngo said, “Go ahead. There was a time limit, but go on, we’ll hear you out.”

I said the following:

If  I can be honest, I feel that you guys are just making decisions without thinking about the students.

I had trouble getting the uniform together. Some of us support ourselves. We don’t have mommy and daddy buying stuff for us.

I also know a lot of people who wanted to come  to Steinmetz, but heard about the new policy and decided not to. They wanted a school with  more freedom and apparently Steinmetz doesn’t offer that and it’s an issue. I heard that our school is missing students and that is an effect of this policy.

I do not agree with the uniform. We aren’t able to wear our club or program shirts. We should be able to express ourselves. It’s high school. We aren’t in middle school and we aren’t a charter school. Many schools around the neighborhood don’t have uniforms.

Then I honestly got mad and walked out.

Star photographer Jesse Martinez in Room 333, the Steinmetz Star office and Journalism classroom.

Several other people and I went to the September 14, 2016, Local School Council (LSC) meeting because we had a problem about the uniform. We had talked about the uniform everyday in class. Everyone (including junior David Delgado, pictured with this reporter) was upset.

I went to the meeting because they needed to hear my voice about this. I had started a petition on the uniform to get students to sign their names to show the LSC members that there are so many students that don’t like this policy.

When you come in to the meeting you need to sign in to speak about the problems going on in school. There was this lady that spoke first. She said that she loves the new uniform policy going on, that we look great and that if she was a freshman she would come to this school because of this uniform.

When it was my turn to speak I said, “Here at Steinmetz College Prep we have a tradition of the senior hoodie. Now that we are going to  have this uniform we are not going to have that anymore. I hope that changes because this has been something special.”

Senior Christian Perez talks about the new uniform policy ending traditions. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

I sat down and heard other students talk about the same issue that I was talking about.

We started to hear what the LSC members had to say. The LSC president Vanessa Valentin said that if we wear this uniform it protects us from gangs and we are her children.

I was surprised about what she said. It didn’t make a sense. I left the meeting.    

At the September 14 Local School Council (LSC) meeting, student representative Crystal Roman spoke out on behalf of students who dislike the new uniform policy and asked for a compromise.

“I joined the LSC for one reason and one reason only – for my voice to be heard, as well as my fellow classmates,” she said. “What I am hearing is that we don’t like the new uniform policy for many different reasons.

“But I’m willing to compromise to have a free Friday day to wear our jerseys, baseball shirts, volleyball shirts, sports teams shirts in general, OneGoal shirts, and our shirts that we’re proud to be wearing that represent Steinmetz.

“I understand that it will take time for this to happen but that’s all that I ask for because we want to be able to represent what we like to do, to be proud of what we do here at Steinmetz.”

Junior Crystal Roman speaks at the LSC meeting in September. The LSC is made up of one student, two teachers, two community members, six parents and Principal Stephen Ngo. (Photo by Jesse Martinez.)

Uniforms are no longer required at Taft, Foreman, North Grand, Clemente, Lake View, and Roosevelt.

These neighborhood high schools – similar in size, academic performance, socioeconomic and geographic demographics to Steinmetz – have recently joined other schools that never required uniforms. The schools that don’t require uniforms are among the best in the city.

Throughout Chicago, these schools academically out-perform schools that do require uniforms, according to CPS’ levels of performance.*

The following schools do not require uniforms:

• “Level 1” Northside, Lane, Lincoln Park, Von Steuben, Jones, Payton, Westinghouse, Whitney Young, King, Lindblom, Chicago Agricultural, and Brooks;

• “Level 2” Prosser, Chicago Academy, Mather, Sullivan, Amundsen, Lake View, Alcott, Uplift, Disney II, Ogden International, Taft, Foreman, North Grand, Clemente, Roosevelt, Bogan, Curie, Kennedy, Kenwood, Juarez, Kelly, and Morgan Park.

• Nearly all the “Level 3” high schools and charter schools require uniforms. On the northwest side, uniforms are required at Schurz and Kelvyn Park, schools that are weaker academically than Steinmetz.

(*Source: CPS school locator 2014-2015, http://schoolinfo.cps.edu/schoolprofile/FindaSchool.aspx.)

In her piece supporting Taft’s new, no-uniform policy, Taft editorial writer Kyra Buenaventura quotes Taft principal Mark Grishaber, who said: “Places with uniforms include Catholic schools, post offices, and McDonalds.” Star reporters Leslie Carmona (back to camera), Felisha Cordero, and Rayna Albelo interview Jones College Prep students Samantha O’Brien and Alex Behle about Jones’ non-uniform policy. Alex said he had previously worn a uniform (while a 7th and 8th grader at Taft), and that it was a relief go to school wearing what he wants to wear. Sam said she didn’t worry about clothes too much and that she has her “bum” days.

IIt is becoming rare for a “Level 2” school like Steinmetz to require its students to wear uniforms.

With Steinmetz’ move last year off probation, many wonder if the uniform policy should change, too.

Principal Stephen Ngo said he isn’t comparing schools.

“I don’t think about the other schools,” he said. “I’m just focusing on Steinmetz. Every school is different.”

The reason most large, diverse Chicago neighborhood high schools required uniforms (many beginning their policies, like Steinmetz, in the 1990s) was to create a safer, more academic environment. Administrators hoped gang representation and bullying would diminish if students were dressed the same, and that the uniformed look would create a more orderly, academic environment.

For these reasons, Steinmetz still has the uniform.

 “Without uniforms, gang violence might increase,” Mr. Ngo said. “There’s a group of students who won’t wear appropriate clothing if uniforms aren’t required.”

Mr. Ngo and disciplinarian Dr. Lorraine Frierson also addressed economic inequality, bullying, and anxiety as additional reasons to enforce a uniform.

“Uniforms take away a lot of peer pressure,” Mr. Ngo said. “It’s not fair for students who don’t have expensive items like other students. Uniforms take away the anxiety for students who don’t have as much as others.”

Dr. Frierson said she saw bullying about clothes before Steinmetz adopted the uniform policy.

“I wouldn’t have an issue if there weren’t bullying,” she said. “In the past, girls were bullied because of what they wore. For example, some girl would be bullied if she didn’t wear Gucci. One girl could buy name brands, when the other couldn’t afford it. Since there have been uniforms, there has been no bullying over clothes.”

But the many neighboring schools that have dropped uniforms are reporting no increased violence, bullying, or safety issues.

No problems related to the new non-uniform status

Teachers at Roosevelt, North-Grand, Chicago Academy and Foreman told the Star that there are no problems with students not wearing uniforms.

“We got rid of the uniform this school year,” Roosevelt teacher Tim Meegan said. “There are no problems related to non-uniforms.”

Foreman teacher Marty Lombardo said, “There is no added violence or rampant wearing of inappropriate wear.” In addition, he told the Star that the problem of “selective enforcement” of the uniform is now gone.

Without uniforms, teachers and other school staff no longer have to spend time on uniform policy enforcement which, Mr. Lombardo notes, is impossible to do equally.

North Grand, a newer school in the area, opened its doors requiring uniforms. After the original principal left, the current principal made the change.

 “The principal decided to end the uniform policy this year,” North Grand teacher Phil Cantor said. “When I started eight years ago is was super strict. We looked like a charter school. I think that was the point. Now we look more like a selective enrollment school, where kids wear what kids wear.”

At Chicago Academy, when the school was forming, teachers “fought to keep out uniforms,” said teacher Jim Cavallerro. “We’ve never had them and it’s fine.”

Happier students

High school students who now wear what they want to wear to school report no problems, and say they are feeling much happier.

Taft junior Anthony Heatherly said: “I think taking the uniform away was a good idea because we finally get to wear what we want and don’t get in trouble for wearing comfortable clothing. Not as many kids get in trouble. It also makes the students happy because we are comfortable and don’t have to wear ugly clothes.”

While some students worry about what to wear to school, the positives for them of not wearing a uniform outweigh the negative.

“Not wearing a uniform is harder because it’s more time consuming. You need to figure out what you’re gonna wear and not everyone has time in the morning,” North Grand senior Crystal Cuevas said. “But it feels good to be able to dress how you like.”

Foreman senior Darius Soward agrees that the students feel good.

“Having no uniforms has changed our school because we are more comfortable with wearing whatever we want to wear,” he said. “Students dress very appropriate. If students are dressed inappropriately there are consequences. We love the no uniform policy and it is much better.” •

Reporters Lexi Bamber, Aaliyah Collins, Felisha Cordero, Angelica Lopez and Rosemary McGurn also contributed to this story.