Excelsior's New Uniforms

After 35 years, Excelsior Youth Center now expects each student to wear a uniform during school hours. The matching navy blue polo shirts and pants were purchased through the generosity of the List Family Foundation. The girls may wear their own clothes during evenings and weekends.

Excelsior students Brenna, Kaitlyn and Venessa model the new school uniforms.

"The process of incorporating uniforms for school is a challenging one with our clientele due to their mental health issues, rebelliousness and anti-social behaviors. We know that this will be a strong improvement for our program as it will address gang colors, girls who have fewer/less stylish clothes, revealing/provocative outfits, 'sagging and bagging' pants and graffiti/inappropriate phrases on clothing," says Joan Gabrielson, Excelsior's Executive Director.

"The vast majority of students have embraced the concept and accept wearing Excelsior's new school uniform," explains Jann Clevenger, Excelsior's School Principal. The teaching staff is equally excited about the new uniforms, Clevenger said. "It will increase instructional time in the classroom as it's one less thing the teachers will have to confront the kids about. The Student Government will willingly wear their new uniforms in support of the idea."

Students from Student Government Class responses:

T: "I think it's a great idea because I won't have to choose what to wear every morning. I'm worried that many of the girls will fight the idea and they'll keep fighting until they get tired of the consequences. But eventually they'll cooperate. Also I think some girls will make the uniform UNIQUE in some inappropriate ways. Get ready …"

D: "I had to wear them in elementary school and they're not that bad. It's not like it's a jail uniform! I think the girls can express themselves in other ways like through their jewelry. It won't be too much trouble."

D: "I won't be as late each morning! I just hope they're COMFORTABLE!"

C: "There will be less hassles in classrooms from the teachers having to correct girls' clothing. And I think it'll be good for many of the girls to follow directives."

T and D: "It gives us the opportunity to wear uniforms like you have to wear for many jobs on the out side" and "remember: you have to wear uniforms for most sports!"
"It'll take a while to get use to them but I think it'll be fine."