Finding the right formula: Uniforms, same sex classrooms seem to be working for Kanawha County schools

DAILY MAIL STAFF

From same-sex classes to uniforms, new programs launched this yearin Kanawha County Schools are getting good reviews.

At the beginning of the school year, Stonewall Jackson MiddleSchool began having separate classes for boys and girls in math,science, English and social studies. Teachers have since reportedmore class participation and fewer behavioral problems.

"I came on board January 2 and was extremely surprised by theamount of focus in the classrooms by girls and boys," said PrincipalGeorge Aulenbacher. "I am definitely doing it next year. I hope toadd gym and health classes."

Stonewall has about 600 students with a fairly equal split amongboys and girls.

He said discipline problems have decreased by more than 30 percentwhile seventh-grade writing assessment scores have increased. TheWESTEST was administered last week and Aulenbacher is looking forwardto seeing those scores in the fall.

Meanwhile, East Bank Middle School jumped aboard with same-sexclasses during the second semester this school year. Boys and girlswere separated in core classes of math, science, English and socialstudies. East Bank has 487 students in grades six through eight.

Principal Candace Strader said pluses have been better academicperformance, more class participation and fewer discipline problems.Next school year, it will be necessary to mix boys and girls in acouple of algebra classes due to class size in those cases.Otherwise, boys and girls will again be separated in core classes.

While some schools launched same-sex classes this year, othersfocused on uniforms.

J.E. Robins Elementary required uniforms for the first time thisschool year. Robins, located at 915 Beech Ave., joined fellow WestSide school Glenwood Elementary, where students began wearinguniforms three years ago.

"We have about 80 percent of children who participate," saidMargaret Bays, J.E. Robins principal. "Some parents question why wedo it and others are very supportive. That is what our (Local SchoolImprovement Council) and PTO decided. We will continue next year."

This year each child was supplied with a shirt through a $2,500character education grant through the state Board of Education. J.E.Robins enrolls 230 students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Students may wear pants, shorts, skirts and jumpers in khaki,black or navy. Polo-style shirts are red or white. Parents havereported saving money on school clothes as well as time in themornings.

"It takes the stress out of getting ready for school," Bays said."Name brands don't stand out."

She has also noted fewer discipline problems among students whoadhere to the uniform policy.

Meanwhile, Hayes Middle School will implement a uniform policy inthe fall, said Principal Scott Monty.

Plans call for students to wear jeans or khakis along with a poloshirt in yellow or black because those are school colors. Studentsmay wear any shoes with the exception of flip-flops.

Monty said research shows students who wear uniforms do betteracademically, take more pride in school and have fewer disciplineproblems. He said it is also cheaper for parents who would no longerfeel pressured to purchase expensive name brands.

Contact writer Charlotte Ferrell Smith at charlotte@dailymail.com.