CECmisc.78


TITLE:  BULLETS, BOOZE AND BASKETBALL:
        BAN THE SHIRTS TO SAVE THE SCHOOLS?

AUTHOR:  Bruce D Berst, Natrona County High School;
         Casper, Wyoming

GRADE LEVEL:  9-12

OVERVIEW:  Teachers and administrators of the Tri-Valley
School District are concerned about the increase of violence
in the schools and note that there is a growing problem with
weapons and drugs, as well as pockets of drug activity.
Parents and educators in the district believe that when
students wear T-shirts that symbolize drugs, violence and
sex, they make the schools a "breeding and training ground
for immoral, illegal and dangerous behavior."

OBJECTIVE:  In response to the concerns of teachers,
administrators and parents, and in an effort to develop a
consistent policy for the entire school district, the
following dress code for students in grades K-12 is
proposed:

                         DRESS CODE

The students of the Tri-Valley School District have the
inalienable right to attend schools which are safe, secure
and peaceful.  Students have the right to exercise free
expression except where that expression creates a clear and
present danger of unlawful activity, of the violation of
school regulations, or of the substantial disruption of the
orderly operation of the school.

Students are prohibited from wearing any clothing or
accessories which:

1)  promotes or glorifies violence, drugs, tobacco, or
    alcohol, or;
2)  contains gang symbols or logos, or denotes gang
    affiliation or;
3)  is sexually obscene or explicit or;
4)  promotes unlawful or immoral behavior.

Students who violate the dress code will be asked to remove
the offensive clothing or be sent home.


              IS THERE A DRESS CODE VIOLATION?

1.   Middle and high school students have begun wearing T-
     shirts depicting a 9 mm handgun on the front with the
     words   "If This Don't Get Ya," and a picture of an Uzi
     on the back of the shirt with the words  "This One
     Will."
2.   A 6th grade girl wore a T-shirt depicting a beer bottle
     and a pipe with the caption "I'd Rather By Partying
     High".
3.   A 5th grader wore a Michael Jordan and Chicago Bulls T-
     shirt.  Gang experts have stated that clothes with
     professional teams on them have been linked to gangs
     and could make those wearing them easy targets for
     gangs.
4.   High school students have begun wearing "safe sex"
     shirts with anti-AIDS messages and clear plastic
     pockets with condoms in them.  Some of the slogans on
     the shirt:  "Tools for Late Night", "Deep Cover for the
     Brother," and "AIDS - Hell No."
5.   An 11th grade male student wore a T-shirt depicting a
     woman shoved in a trash can with her underwear around
     her ankles.  The caption read: "Guns "N Roses was
     here".
6.   A 12th grade female student wore a T-shirt with the
     caption: "I'm a lesbian.  Don't knock it till you try
     it".
7.   A junior high school student wore a shirt with the
     caption: "Save the planet.  Kill a cop."
8.   An 8th grader came to school wearing baggy khaki pants
     several sizes too big for him.  Gang experts say the
     oversized pants signify gang affiliation.


                    SCHOOL BOARD HEARING

The proposed policy is open for public comment at the next
School Board Meeting.  Representatives from the following
groups will testify before the Board:

1.  Coalition of Vendors, Retailers, and Manufacturers
                     OPPOSES THE POLICY

2.  PTA
                    SUPPORTS THE POLICY

3.  American Civil Liberties Union
                     OPPOSES THE POLICY

4.  Fellowship of Christian Student Athletes
                    SUPPORTS THE POLICY

5.  Students for Free Speech
                     OPPOSES THE POLICY

6.  School Administrators
                    SUPPORTS THE POLICY


                         GUIDELINES

1.   Testimony will be limited to 2 minutes per speaker.
2.   School Board members will have the opportunity to
     question each speaker during the 2-minute time period.
3.   The School Board will vote on the policy at the
     conclusion of all testimony.