Ban on Gang-Related Attire OKd by Garden Grove School District : Education: Dress code also prohibits items that promote alcohol or illegal substance use.

The Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education has given preliminary approval to a new dress code that bans clothing associated with gangs and other attire that school principals deem inappropriate.

The new regulations, approved Tuesday, will ban gang-related attire and clothing that promotes use of alcohol and illegal substances. It will affect all of the district’s 40,000 students and replace an informal policy that has been used for years, according to district spokesman Alan Trudell.

Trudell said that gang colors and attire have not been a significant problem in the school district, but officials there decided to make the informal policy a binding one to avoid the gang-related problems that have beset nearby districts.

“Our primary concern is the safety and welfare of our students and employees, and the district, through this action, is being proactive rather than reactive in terms of student safety,” he said.

The new regulations will be extended for the first time to include elementary schools, which had been excluded from dress code regulations except in regard to appropriate footwear.

The regulations permit principals to decide what clothing is appropriate and prohibit any they feel causes a distraction or disturbance or presents a health and safety hazard. Although the district has maintained an informal policy, which permitted similar action by principals in the past, the new regulations formally set the standard districtwide.

Also prohibited are any articles of clothing that contain obscene or sexually suggestive words or graphics, or those representing alcohol or illegal substance use. For example, T-shirts with beer logos or liquor advertising are forbidden.

“If such items would be permitted, it would be contradictory to our continued efforts to curb the use of alcohol and drugs among students,” Trudell said.

Other school districts, including Santa Ana Unified, Orange Unified and Tustin Unified, have already adopted dress codes prohibiting attire associated with gangs, and many schools have done so on an individual basis.

While the new rules in Garden Grove will ban clothing and accessories reflecting gang association or identity through their colors, designs or trademarks, unlike other districts with clothing restrictions, Garden Grove won’t necessarily forbid a student to wear a Los Angeles Raiders jacket, because that might not be indicative of gang affiliation at some schools, Trudell said.

“What might be an unsuitable collection of garments at one school might be quite suitable in another school in our district. (The regulations are) not a blanket prohibition of any specific article of clothing or accessory,” Trudell said.

Principals will decide when attire denotes gang association, he added.

Barbara Barnard, assistant superintendent for elementary schools, said that students found wearing inappropriate clothing would be required to change their clothes--possibly by wearing something from the lost and found--or have a a parent bring other clothing from home. If, for example, a T-shirt is deemed to be offensive, the student might simply be required to wear it inside-out so the offending message could not be seen.

Trudell said school officials explained the new regulations to 10 student representatives from the district’s high schools on Wednesday. The students were “quite understanding” of the district’s position, although they expressed some concern about their freedom of expression, he said.

Trudell acknowledged that the district has to balance the student’s rights with the issues of safety but also noted that the courts have upheld restrictions on students’ choice of attire when the clothing can be shown to interfere with education.

“We have to walk the line between allowing students the right to express themselves, but we have as public schools the responsibility of working with the parents to see that (students) have a safe and enjoyable experience at school.”

The new rules are expected to gain final approval from the Board of Trustees and take effect on Feb. 4, Trudell said.