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Show ft ft 500 VOLUME 88 NO. 34 THURSDAY. JULY r MAGNA. UTAH 84044 4. 1996 Proposed at Pleasant Green Elementary Magna group opposes uniform school dress policy by GARY R. BLODGETT EDITOR A group of Magna parents whose children attend Pleasant Green Elementary School spoke out this week against that schools proposal to enforce a dress alike policy for its students. Pleasant Green in Magna and Monroe Elementary in West Valley City are the only two schools in Granite District to make such a proposal although most schools enforce a restricted wear policy for its students. Spokespersons for both schools said a voluntary program of dress-alik- e uniforms would do much to reduce the influence of juvenile gang involvement while improving the academic standards and selfesteem of the students. At least one parental group in Magna disagrees. Shelli who leads the Magna opposition group, said a change of clothing to make everyone dress alike will not solve the juvenile crime program, nor will it substantially increase the of a student. She noted that a part of a childs comes from the ability of that child to make decisions, to trust that judgement when its made, and be responsible for that decision . A uniform will not promote this practice. The message that such a policy will bring forth is that the student is being punished for the actions of others that he or she can not be trusted to wear what clothing they feel appropriate to wear, said Poulson. She also maintains that a childs behavior does not drastically change simply because you, as a parent, change that students wardrobe. A school uniform will not solve the problems or pressures t. which cause a child to She stressed that a troubled student or gang member may not be as readily identified if all students are wearing look-alik- e clothing, but these troubled students will continue to be members and other Hutto-Poulso- n, self-estee- m self-estee- m act-ou- students will know their affiliation. Poulson said opponents of the policy agree that juvenile crime is on the increase countywide, but asks, does this warrant Pleasant Green to adopt a dress-alik- e policy in an attempt to reduce this crime accepted by gang members. Pertaining to the issue of safety in numbers, opponents question how teachers distinguish a child creating a problem from the other 849 children around them? Opponents also argue that a uniform will not make a child more respectful toward adults; will not stop property from being defaced; or end physical violence. The program proposes that those families who can not finance the cost of uniforms for their children will be subsidized the cost, or partial cost, from a proposed $30,000 spree? Uniforms will present an additional financial and for parents. problem Currently, children can wear the same clothes after school as they wear to school, but this will not be acceptable to most students. They will want to get out of their uniforms and into play clothes. grant from the Granite School This also pertains to clothing they District. I will be paying tax dollars to wear socially, and the double set of clothing will just add to the cost and time of maintaining these clothes, she said. We have not been given any factual data to support the assumption that the (gang) problem is any more widespread at Pleasant Green to merit a measure so drastic as to code adopt a uniform-dres- s She also noted that problems are much more prevalent in junior and senior high school yet these are not the children being ... targeted for school uniforms Pleasant Green, Poulson explained, has a dress code with the restriction of hats and bandanas. School officials maintain than when the restrictions were enforced, student academic performance increased and violence nt subsidize the program, and will end up paying for my childrens uniforms as well, said Poulson. Opponents challenged the figures presented by the proponents regarding favoritism of the uniform proposal. Opponents argue that of the 450 ballots sent to parents of Pleasant Green students, 136 were returned. That is a response of 30 percent. or Of the number returned, 74 16 percent of the 450 families voted in favor of the uniforms. to 24 percent Sixty-tw- o voted against the proposal. Thats a margin of 2 percent making the decision to adopt a uninot an over form dress code whelming Poulson majority, argued. Pleasant Green school officials stressed that the voluntary uniform code will go into effect at the openschool year. ing of the 1996-9- 7 and substantiatIt is obvious that the majority ed by our polls of parents are in favor of the proposal, and we want to do what the majority desire, said Mary Ann chairman of the schools Advisory Committee. Pleasant Greens proposal is for students to have a choice of wearing look-alik- e clothing of Navy blue slacks, skirts or walking shorts, and white shirts and blouses. Shoes must be closed-to- Wren, e. gang-relat- decreased. This is just a part of the dress If the entire code were routinely enforced, would there not be thus even more improvements uniform for a need the negating dress code? she asked. Opponents also allege that a voluntary program, as proposed by the school, will be ineffective. What will happen to children who choose not to wear the uniform? Will there be pressure to conform? If so, they say, this pressure would be as wrong as the peer pressure which drives children to believe they must either join a gang, or to wear a brand of clothing to be code. July 4th will be good day to stay home, enjoy Magnas celebration by GARY R. BLODGETT EDITOR Dont fight the holiday crowds on Utahs highways and in nearby stay home and enjoy July 4th at Magnas traditional holicanyons day celebration. Theres something happening all day. Be an early riser and enjoy the traditional Magna Lions Club breakfast beginning at 6:30 a.m. in Copper Park. There will be ham and eggs, hot cakes and drink at a price the entire family can afford. Breakfast will be served until 1 1 a.m., but to beat the crowd get an early start. City of Fun Carnival and Rides will be available at the park, providing games and entertainment for all age groups. Races and sports events will be staged throughout the day, beginning at 1:30 p.m. A variety show will be on stage at the park from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. to be followed by an American Legion Post 38 baseball game at the diamond adjacent (east) of the park beginning at 5:30 p.m. Live music, singing and dancing will be on stage from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., and Miss Magna and her attendants will be honored at 9:30 p.m. Highlights of the days events will include a parade down Magnas Historic Main Street (from 8400 West to Webster Elementary School) beginning at noon; and a gigantic fireworks show at Copper Park beginning at dark (about 10 p.m.). Copper Park is located at 8900 W. 2600 South, Magna. Volunteers sort through some of the many items available at the annual Magna Senior Citizens Center garage sale, slated for July 4 at the center (8952 West 2700 South). Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Dont miss it! 3-- Salt Lake County Commission to act July 3 on Master Plan regarding 3500 South project by GARY R. BLODGETT EDITOR Salt Lake County Commission will attempt again to act on a proposal to revise the Cobnty Master Plan allowing for a commercial development on 3500 South in Magna. The existing Master Plan would have to be revised since the proposed project is not in a designated area of Magna zoned for commercial development, it was explained. Tlie Commission decided on June its decision until July 3. Earlier, the Salt Lake 19 to postpone County Planning and Zoning Advisory Commission postponed its recommendation to the County Commission until they had more input and study in the proposal. Magna businessman John Gust filed the petition for revising the Master Plan to allow a strip of property on the south side of 3500 South west of 8000 West to be developed commercially. Gust said he is ready to begin development, which includes plans a for Albertsons Store and two or three smaller retail outlets. 50,000-square-fo- ot Its a planned development which will benefit the entire Magna area, giving grocery shoppers another supermarket, Gust said. As it is, nearly half the Magna population shops elsewhere for groceries. The existing Master Plan, adopted for a 10 to period in of areas 1988, specifies zoning in the unincorporated area of Salt ar Lake County. It designates only three areas, in addition to Magnas Historic Main Street, as commercial. They are: Downtown Magna, west of 8400 West and south of 2600 South. Arbor Park, located east of 8400 West and south of 3500 South. Area of Reams Food Store, 7200 West and 3500 South. |