A Uniform Look for Rumson Schools?

It doesn't mean it's happening. The notion of it is just being gauged in Rumson's K-8 district— school uniforms.

It all came about due to what Rumson school officials said wasn't a pounding down of administrative doors by any means, but more an influx of concern over appropriate school attire that has "filtered" back to them from parents in the past four years or so.

They have heard — specifically from a couple of vocal parents at board meetings who were carrying the message from contingents — that "parents felt that kids were too lax in their dress," Rumson Board of President Colleen O'Connor said outside of Wednesday night's board meeting.

So, parents' perennial question has been, "Should there be some uniform way of dressing?"

In response to that feeling conveyed, the dress code was tightened up, she said.

With the question lingering, however, officials felt they should respond and conduct the "research-based survey" in a more official capacity to put the question out there and see if there really is a majority need to go to uniforms at all and why.

"We just want to get a real idea of how the families in the district feel about it," Superintendent Maryrose Caulfield-Sloan said. "So, we sent a survey to each of the nearly 700 families (comprising about 1,000 students) on Monday. They're due back on Friday."

In order for the survey results to be considered valid, 80 percent of those surveyed must respond and return it. So, if parents have a strong opinion on the matter, one way or another, officials advise that they turn in their responses.

Should it come to fruition, the uniforms would be something along the lines of the Rumson Country Day School uniforms — khaki pants, shorts and skirt options with a solid colored shirt.

Patch will keep you posted on the results, which officials said they'd have rounded up on Monday. In the meantime, feel free to weigh in on the subject in the comments section below.