By Cindy Kranz
Enquirer staff writer

Lauren Beachy, 15, left, a Sophmore to be at Winton Woods High School shops at Kohl's department store in Forest Park with her friend Molly Snyder, 14, an incoming freshman at Cincinnati Christian Academy. (Craig Ruttle/The Enquirer)

The crop tops, low-rise jeans and ruffled miniskirts of summer will soon give way to another fashion statement: school uniforms and stricter dress codes.

More schools sign on this year to a growing trend of uniform dress in public schools, or will shore up their dress codes.

In the Winton Woods City Schools, Lakeside and Beechwoods elementary schools will require students to wear solid-colored tops with a collar, and tan, navy blue or black slacks, shorts, capris, skirts, skorts or jumpers. Gone are oversized, baggy clothing, denim and T-shirts.

The district polled parents in each of its schools, but support was only lukewarm in most of them. The program was piloted in Lakeside and Beechwoods, where support was stronger.

"A lot of people think public schools shouldn't go that direction," said Jamie Beachy, parent of two Lakeside students and a Winton Woods High School student.

"I think it kind of evens out the kids. You don't worry too much about designer whatever. This is what you wear to go to work in, and this is what you wear to go to school and learn in. You can be yourself when you get home and with your friends, outside the school setting."

School uniforms are usually a hot topic among parents and students across many school districts. Just ask John Pennycuff, president of the Winton Woods Board of Education, who presided over discussions about uniforms in that district.

"Bringing up the topic of uniforms is like talking about religion or abortion. People are so polarized," Pennycuff said. "We had people at board meetings pointing their fingers and saying, 'Don't you dare put uniforms in school. You'll be trampling on my kids' constitutional rights to express themselves.'"

On the other hand, he said some parents liked the idea of uniforms, saying they're cheaper and promote a better learning environment.

"They're there to learn," Pennycuff said. "They're not there to show off their jewelry or their rear end."

Students vary in their opinions, as well.

Lauren Beachy, a 15-year-old Winton Woods High School sophomore, wouldn't mind uniform dress at her school.

"I just think it would be so much easier on everybody. I don't think they're as bad as people think they are," Lauren said. "You'd wear the same thing every day and wouldn't have to care about clothes so much."

Bailey Richards, a New Richmond High School junior, isn't as receptive to uniforms.

"If you have a strict enough dress code, then you don't really need uniforms. I don't know if I like the idea of uniforms. I guess it would make it easier to get ready in the morning," said Bailey, who turns 16 next month.

New Richmond isn't initiating uniforms, but there are some dress code changes this year. Students can't wear skirts above the knee, but they will be allowed to wear capris for the first time.

"None of the changes really affect me that much, but I know a lot of girls in my school were wearing really short shorts," Bailey said. "There were kids definitely pushing the envelope."

E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com