WHAT’S UP -- steve smith

If you tinker with a zero-tolerance policy, do you still have “zero”

tolerance? No. So let’s stop kidding ourselves, let’s stop the tough guy

act and fix a very bad system that has dragged dolphins in with the fish

the zero-tolerance net was set to catch. Finally, it appears as though

the school board may do just that.

When they’re all through, the school board will need a new name for the

policy since it will no longer be “zero tolerance.”

You know how bureaucrats are -- they have to label everything or give it

some three-letter acronym to puff it up to make it sound as though it’s

much more important than it is. So, in order to stop the endless meetings

they’ll no doubt have to have about what to call a zero-tolerance policy

that’s no longer zero tolerance, I submit the following name: “Behavior

policy.” I know it’s not pretty and it doesn’t roll off the tongue like

“ZT” or “Just Read,” but it’s clear and direct and it also will save a

lot of time and trouble. The new name can include not only drugs, alcohol

and weapons, but all school behavior policies, including dress codes.

Ah, dress codes. Remember those? Dress codes mandated that girls dress

modestly, without spaghetti straps or tube tops and that boys pull their

not-so-baggy pants above the area where only a plumber would not be

concerned about revealing any body parts.

Something tells me that stricter enforcement of a dress code would not

bother Newport Beach resident Susan Tobiessen at all. Tobiessen, you may

recall, was instrumental in getting a school uniform policy for the new

Eastbluff Elementary School. And although I am firmly against uniforms

except in the face of a compelling reason such as an overwhelming gang

influence, I can’t help but applaud Tobiessen for her concern and her

involvement. My wife, Cay, would call Tobiessen an “action person” and we

need many more of them around the twin cities.

“The respect level isn’t there anymore,” Tobiessen told me. “We need to

send the message to kids that school is their job right now and that they

have to dress appropriately for their job.” Applause, applause.

Tobiessen’s reasons for wanting uniforms went far beyond the usual gang

influence or distraction problems. “I want people to be treated for who

they are,” she said. “I want my daughter to have an open mind to be

anyone’s friend, not just because of someone’s clothes or shoes.” While

she was working for the uniform policy, Tobiessen had her own battles at

home. “My daughter hated me,” she said, “and she didn’t talk to me for a

week.”

Things are not only better at home, but her daughter has actually come

around to the uniform idea, too. “I got her to imagine how she’d feel if

she were all dressed up for the prom, with a nice prom dress and her hair

and nails done. You feel differently and it makes a difference in how you

act.”

Tobiessen is correct and although I believe that the novelty will wear

off of kids after awhile, there is no mistaking her motives or her

concern. This is one good parent. When I asked Tobiessen about enforcing

a dress code instead of mandating uniforms, she was understanding but

stood her ground. Still, I believe Tobiessen would agree that with or

without uniforms, something has to change.

Tobiessen and I are in complete agreement on one key issue. We agree that

if kids are going to have a strict dress code or be required to wear

uniforms, teachers must do the same. In their case, the “uniform” is

similar to the style of clothing you’d see at most banks. Men and women

should be required to wear business attire. Men, that means neckties and

neatly pressed shirts and pants.

Parents and school officials are always busy telling kids what to do. And

most of the time that’s a good thing; kids need rules and boundaries. But

many of these mandates are much more effective if the enforcers are

walking the walk. When it comes to improving the attire of our kids,

Tobiessen said it best: “Parents, teachers and the Newport-Mesa Unified

School District have to be in agreement on this.”

Clear and direct. Just like an action person.

* STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and freelance writer. He can be

reached at (949) 642-6086 or by e-mail at o7 dailypilot@latimes.comf7 .