By JOHN THOMPSON
Coweta Editor

When students at Ruth Hill Elementary School start school Thursday, Principal Connie Davis hopes the focus is on reading and writing and not Nikes and Reeboks.

In a move that will be watched closely by other schools, the elementary school in Newnan is going to a voluntary school uniform policy this year. Instead of being plastered in designer labels, many students will be wearing simple uniforms of khaki and dark blue.

Students will have the option of matching the pieces such as a blue shirt and khaki skirt or blue pants and a khaki shirt. Davis said the school chose something that was relatively common and inexpensive for the parents to buy.

"The parents and teachers have been talking about this program for two years. We did a lot of research, and everything points to student achievement increasing with the use of uniforms," she said.

Last spring, the school sent out questionnaires to parents, asking if they were in favor of uniforms. The overwhelming majority of the parents voted for the uniforms, and Davis started planning for this school year.

Davis said cost was the biggest factor in trying to pick the uniform and estimated the simple uniform will cost about $20. After news of the uniform program leaked out, the school was overwhelmed with offers of help.

"Within a week, the Newnan Church of Christ had raised $4,000 and Wal-Mart gave us $3,000 to help our families pay for the clothes," she said.

Davis said needy parents will receive vouchers they can use to buy the uniforms. The J.C. Penney Catalog Store in Newnan and the Penney's store at Shannon Mall will carry the clothes. For parents who don't want to drive to the mall, Davis said Wal-Mart is offering a variety of uniform combinations for the students.

The program is being kept voluntary this year, Davis said, because she believes in the independence of her students and parents.

"If they don't believe their kids should be wearing uniforms, they have a right to that opinion," she said.

The teachers are already getting in the spirit by wearing the classic colors, and Davis said sameness of dress should take a huge burden off the parents.

"Instead of worrying about getting the money to buy a $150 pair of shoes, the competition among children will be gone. The kids can now focus on their studies," she said.