Policy

Gangs which initiate, advocate, or promote activities which threaten the safety or well-being of persons or property on school grounds or which disrupt the school environment are harmful to the educational process. They are contrary to the school environment and educational objectives and create an atmosphere where unlawful acts or violations of school regulations may occur. The use of hand signals or graffiti, or presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, or manner of grooming which, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, symbol, or any other attribute which indicates or implies membership or affiliation with such a group is prohibited. Initiations, hazing, intimidations, and/or related activities of such group affiliations are prohibited.

Read more: Board Policy 5410: Gang Activity

Regulation

The type of dress, apparel, activities, acts, behavior or manner of grooming displayed, reflected, or participated in by the student shall not:

• lead school officials to reasonably believe that such behavior, apparel, activities, acts, or other attributes are gang related and would disrupt or interfere with the school environment or activity and / or educational objectives;
• present a physical safety hazard to self, students, staff, and other employees;
• create an atmosphere in which a student, staff, or other person’s well-being is hindered by undue pressure, behavior, intimidation,
• overt gesture, or threat of violence; or
• imply gang membership or affiliation by written communication, marks, drawing, painting, design, emblem upon any school or personal property or on one’s person.

Therefore, no student on or about school property or at any school activity:

1. Shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign, or other item which is evidence of membership or affiliation in any gang;
2. Shall commit any act, or use any communication, either verbal or, nonverbal (gestures, handshakes, etc.) showing membership or affiliation in a gang;
3. Shall commit any action to further the interests of gangs or gang activity, including but not limited to the following:
   1. Solicitation of others for membership in any gang.
   2. Intimidating, threatening, or initiating physical violence on any person.
   3. Committing any other illegal act or other violation of school district policies.
4. Shall draw gang-related graffiti or distribute gang related literature.
5. Shall be involved in any other activity in furtherance of a gang.

If the student’s behavior or other attribute is in violation of these provisions, the principal or designee will direct the student to make the appropriate correction. The parent/guardian will be notified. The principal will take appropriate corrective and disciplinary action which may include suspension. Subsequent violations of the Policy may subject the student to additional disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

All violations of the “Electronic Signaling Devices” policy shall be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency and the Superintendent who will be responsible for keeping a District file of such violations.

Students identified as being gang involved, influenced, or affiliated will be provided assistance, and/or programs which discourage gang involvement or affiliation, enhance self-esteem, encourage interest and participation in school or other positive activities and promote membership in authorized organizations.

Regulation 5410

Administrative Adoption: October 25, 1999