Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,
As our community continues to grow, so does the presence of criminal street gangs. Although we cannot control
what happens outside of the school day, we will continue do our best to keep your children safe, while in our care
during school hours and school activities, with your help. One of the ways gangs display unity and intimidation is
through dress. Often our dress codes come into question as to why certain items are considered gang related.
Please be aware that the following items have been documented as potential “gang attire” according to the Yuba
County Gang Task Force:
o Nor-Cal, South Pole and Take Flight clothing
o 5 and 6 point star
o Numbers 13 and 14 on clothing
o Bandanas (any color)
o Red, Blue and brown belts, rags and shoe laces
o Long key chains that are red, blue, brown and/or black
o Rosaries (red, green, brown , blue and/or black)
o White ribbed tank tops and (any color) undershirts
o All professional sports gear must be in official team colors
While we acknowledge students who wear these items are not necessarily gang members, or affiliated with gang
members, wearing these items can inadvertently put your child in harm’s way. Please be aware that wearing two or
more of the items from the list at one time, will be addressed by school and district administrators. Wearing colored
belts, bandanas, lettered and/or numbered belt buckles is a direct violation of our dress code policy and is
considered “gang attire.” Although the above clothing items are on our most current watch list, gang members tend to
change their dress often in an effort to subvert our policies. Items on this list may change as gangs adjust their
identifiers.
Please know that gang activity on campus will NOT be tolerated and will be proactively addressed.
Together we can enhance the safety of all students in the District, while minimizing the disruptions and distractions
that hinder the learning process. Your cooperation and your encouragement to your children to adhere to these
policies are greatly appreciated, and will result in a better, safer learning environment.
Sincerely,
Bob Eckardt
PRINCIPAL
Penal code definitions of criminal street gangs and participation in criminal
street gangs:
186.22 (f) PC
As used in this chapter, "criminal street gang" means any ongoing
organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having
as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more of the criminal acts enumerated in
paragraphs (1) to (25), inclusive, or (31) to (33), inclusive, of subdivision (e), having a common
name or common identifying sign or symbol, and whose members individually or collectively
engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity.
186.22 (a) PC
Participation in Criminal Street Gang
Any person who actively participates in any criminal street gang with knowledge that its
members engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity, and who willfully
promotes, furthers, or assists in any felonious criminal conduct by members of that gang, shall be
punished by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year, or by
imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months, or two or three years.
Marysville Joint USD
Board Policy
Dress and Grooming
BP 5132
Students
The Board of Education believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive
learning environment. The Board expects students to give proper attention to personal
cleanliness and to wear clothes that are suitable for the school activities in which they participate.
Students' clothing must not present a health or safety hazard or a distraction which would
interfere with the educational process.
Students and parents/guardians shall be informed about dress and grooming standards at the
beginning of the school year and whenever these standards are revised. A student who violates
these standards shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.
Gang-Related Apparel
The principal, staff and parents/guardians at a school may establish a reasonable dress code that
prohibits students from wearing gang-related apparel when there is evidence of a gang presence
that disrupts or threatens to disrupt the school's activities. Such a dress code may be included as
part of the school safety plan and must be presented to the Board for approval. The Board shall
approve the plan upon determining that it is necessary to protect the health and safety of the
school's students.