we have our answer straight from Arlington...it stands for 21 letters in
the name USA...has become a traditional highest honor salute since wwi 
was interested in comments made in this chat about uniforms.  we did
uniforms at school I was in 10 years ago.  Problem is the students
particularly the older ones figured out ways to create an identity in
uniform.  Then you end up making rules to delete those identities and
become frustrated with another fad.  I'm talking about students in age
bracket from 10 up.  If the reason for uniforms is to work on how kids
look - they still struggle with making the uniforms fit them, if you
know what I mean.  We then went to uniform outfits for teachers and even
though we could use red, white, blue and khaki, we were so sick of those
colors we could hardly wait for summer to come.  The parents loved it
all as they found they were spending less on clothes each year and then
the younger ones coming along could wear the hand me downs without
looking as though they were.  The teachers began wearing jewellry and
scarves to improve the looks of the uniform and the uniformity that the
students picked up on this and that began a whole new set of
difficulties.  If we go the military way, that is, no deviations at all
allowed and have inspections we would make it.  Somehow, now ten years
after uniforms, I have found delight in watching students develop the
ability to look "nice" with their own tastes.  Some never will, and many
do.  I find encouraging the students to look nice through chances to
represent me as a courier around the campus, or well-placed and sincere
compliments, the students try hard to present themselves well.  A
teacher needs to support looking good also.  After 21 years teaching
experience has shown me students basically want to please and notice
teachers who try to set the example.  Modelling was not my choice of a
career, but we do:  both unwittingly andc and consciously.
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