Vol.11 No.2 February/March 2006 Laurel High SchoolLaurel, MD 25 cents LHS Considers Adopting Uniform Policy for Next Year Overwhelming Favorable Vote by Faculty and Community Meeting Set Uniform Initiative in Motion and Northwestern – uniforms are al- it’s because ninth graders see it as an ies have shown that kids with high self- forms, but how do the teachers feel? By Amber Simmons ready a part of their high school expe- attack on individuality; twelfth graders esteem perform better in school. By “[Uniforms] would cut down on a lot rience. These schools are the only four see that after four years it can help,” eliminating a reason to feel self-con- of unnecessary priorities. Students may Laurel High School is currently tak- of the more than twenty high schools explains Laurel High Principal scious, uniforms can help improve be able to better focus on what they ing steps in the direction of having a which have adopted a uniform policy. DwayneJones. children’s self-confidence and may lead should: academics,” states LHS English uniform policy in place for the upcom- The question of whether a uniform Many students prefer to wear name- to greater class participation. Instructor C. Jackson. ing school year. Although it is not defi- policy would be adopted at Laurel has brand clothing to school, which is an With uniforms, it would be more diffi- Will LHS students be required to wear nite at time of publication, several been a hot one for awhile. The fact idea that is recognized by the cult for students to leave school once uniforms? If so, when? “If I have my events have occurred which indicate the that some local elementary and middle Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing they get off of the school bus because way, it will be within the next two stage is being set. At this month’s fac- schools have a uniform policy in place Company, also referred to as Dickies. they would easily stand out in a mall or ulty meeting on March 1 the faculty encourages even more speculation. The company is one of the many that neighborhood if overwhelmingly voted 126-7 in favor Results of a recent Shield survey manufacture school uniforms. On their they were wear- of uniforms for students. The faculty indicated that 63 percent of LHS stu- website (www.dickies.com) the brand ing a uniform. lists benefits of school uniforms: Those are the [Makes] Students Safer – No more benefits, but “gang colors.” There’s no reason to rob what are the dis- a kid to get his/her expensive clothes. advantages? Ac- Plus, people who don’t belong are easy cording to vari- to spot on school grounds. Do uniforms ous sources, make kids safer? Seventy-five percent there are many. of schools with uniforms say “Yes.” For example, [Influences] Classroom Discipline – Al- forcing students most 80% of schools with uniforms say to follow a uni- classroom discipline has improved. form policy – Uniforms promote good behavior and which, according provide an improved environment for to 66 percent of learning. the LHS students [Curtails] Peer Pressure – Uniforms polled, dimin- usually reduce the competition among ishes their students to wear certain (and nearly al- chances to be ways expensive) brands of clothing. unique and ex- Over 75% of schools in uniform noted pressive – sends reduction in peer pressure among stu- a message to stu- dents after adopting uniforms. dents who praise [Increases] Parental Participation – conformity and The added responsibility of the parents reduces the im- Students protest uniforms at March 7 community meeting. making sure that their children wear portance of cre- their uniforms to school could lead to a ativity. Although (Photos by T.Staffieri) also voted against uniforms for the dents oppose wearing uniforms, and stronger working relationship between uniforms would teachers 84-45. Last week an informa- most of those who oppose it are fresh- school and home. make it easier to Everyone was provided an opportunity to express opinions. tion session was held in the Media Cen- men – a majority of whom were stu- Improves] the Learning Environment identify intruders to the school, it would years,” said Jones. He adds, “[Uniforms ter to address the uniform topic among dents at Eisenhower Middle School, – Teachers surveyed say that uniforms make it harder for parents or faculty to are] becoming more of a necessity.” parents and members of the Laurel one of the fourteen middle schools in promote a “down to business” ap- identify a student because everyone is From the looks at the speed and community. The administration is also the county to implement uniforms. proach. Kids view uniforms as work literally wearing the same thing. Even progress of the uniform initiative, in the process forming a uniform Oddly enough, the percentage of stu- clothes and take school more seriously. though disadvantages do exist, “The changes may occur much sooner. Our policy committee. dents opposing uniforms decreases by Fifty-two percent of principals sur- positives outweigh the negatives,” ac- next issue will feature updates and re- For students at four Prince George’s grade: 94 percent of freshmen, 69 per- veyed said that uniforms had a positive cording to Jones. sults of voting as well as an in-depth County High Schools – Charles Herbert cent of sophomores, 65 percent of jun- effect on student achievement. look at student opinion on this contro- Flowers, Forestville Military, Suitland, iors and 63 percent of seniors. “I think [Bolsters] Self Confidence – Many stud- Students feel one way about uni- versial topic. New York Background Helps Mr. Dinkins Acclimate to LHS New Assistant Principal Who Loves LHS Students Recently Becomes a Proud Father Masters Degree in Education. When stressful, Dinkins contributes his suc- Dinkins enjoys weightlifting, fishing, but constraints as the vice-principal, By William Asiedu asked why he decided to become a cess as vice-principal to his back- golfing, and also football. He coached produces a conflict.” Michael Dinkins. That’s exactly teacher, Dinkins explains, “I always ground as well as the neighborhood in a high school football team in New When asked where he could see what the nameplate reads on the desk had a desire to educate…teaching was which he grew up. York and was also a former assistant himself in 10 years, he answered, “I of Laurel High’s new vice-principal. just a natural progression for me.” “Growing up in Brooklyn, I had One would suspect that the vice-prin- Although he is new to the Laurel seen a lot of negative things in which cipal of the school would be able to High staff, Dinkins is not unfamiliar many others have not even dreamed enjoy the luxury of his brand new of- with Prince George’s County. He has of,” he explains. “I can relate to every fice, but not in the case of Mr. been in P.G. County for five years; he aspect, from those who have nothing, Dinkins. He smiles as he describes his worked as a math instructor at to those who have it all. I have seen job as “constant.” He is constantly Thurgood Marshall Middle School and and dealt with both sides of the fence.” on the go. served as the math chairperson. How Although his job is strenuous, This man of action was born in did Dinkins end up at LHS? He re- Dinkins loves the students at Laurel Brooklyn, New York, where he expe- ceived many offers to become vice- High. He explains that the “staff wel- rienced the “best of both worlds,” as principal from many schools because comed me with open arms.” Dinkins he describes. “It was great growing he appeared to have the necessary cre- understands that there are a lot of dy- up. I enjoyed every bit of it. There dentials. Along with being impressed namic youth coming out of LHS and was nothing but love in the house.” by the LHS administrative team, he is looking forward to directing them Dinkins attended college at Vir- Dinkins was also influenced by two as well as all Laurel students in the ginia State University, where he ma- of his principal friends to accept the right direction. jored in and received a degree in Busi- position at Laurel. Dinkins describes Although he is the vice-principal, his first week as being “interesting be- that doesn’t necessarily mean he ness Information Systems. He later coach at C.H. Flowers here in Prince imagine myself being the principal of cause it was about establishing re- doesn’t have a life. Dinkins has a wife, went on to graduate school at Cam- George’s County.He explains, “I a middle or high school, in P.G. spect, being the new guy with such a as well as a newborn baby son who bridge University where he earned a would like to help the football team, County.” high title.” Although the job is often arrived in January. In his free time, What are the dangers? IN THE NEXT ISSUE::: The MYSPACE, XANGA & FACEBOOK ADDICTION ! What are the benefits? PAGE 2 The Shield February / March 2006 VVoiceoice ofof thethe StudentsStudents TheThe ShieldShield February/March 2006. Volume 11, Number 2. don’t have time to eat breakfast, you are willing to put in the effort or have The Shield is published by the students of YOU’RE EITHER Laurel High School, 8000 Cherry Lane, Lau- are happy when lunch comes around the eligible GPA. Laurel has many rel, MD 20707. It is sold at the price of twenty- COMPREHENSIVE OR AP because you know you’ll have a long athletes who are gifted but don’t have five cents per issue.