The high school worked closely with the San Benito County
Sheriff’s Office to compile a list of items identified by law
enforcement as being gang-related, said Sheriff Curtis Hill.
In light of what Sheriff Curtis Hill calls a “big increase” in gang activity at San Benito High School, the district Wednesday enacted a stricter dress code policy that bans use of clothing with specific cities, logos such as Nor Cal and other items.
“The modifications were of items and clothing identified to us as gang apparel,” said Stan Rose, San Benito High District superintendent.
Tim Christensen, a student there, said the stricter policy is going to make his life tough.
“I guess I’ll just throw half of what’s in my closet out,” he joked.
But students Zach Davis and Leighton Kane believe it’s a step in the right direction.
“I think it will look out for the safety of everyone,” said Davis, adding that the adults on campus are supposed to look out for students.
Kane mostly agreed. “Yeah, I think it will improve safety. There has been a lot of bad stuff happening lately, but they went a little overboard on some things like belts and lanyards,” said Kane, referring to the lanyard hanging from his front pocket down to his knee.
Parents first found out when the school had a recorded message from Principal Krystal Lomanto called to every student’s home – the district also sent an e-mail – which specifies exactly what types of gang-related apparel will be banned from campus.
Lomanto in a memo sent to staff members Tuesday also said the school will give students leeway to adjust because some parents hadn’t been informed yet – she also noted how some families need time to get new clothing.
“I cannot enforce a rule unless students have been properly notified,” Lomanto wrote in the memo obtained by the Free Lance.
Rose acknowledged that school officials were examining some possible modifications.
“We are in the process of making clarifications about sweatshirts and so forth, ” said the superintendent, noting that the school has a weekly college day. “A college is designated as something different from the city, and we will distinguish between the two.”
Rose said the school is doing its best to identify what is used to indicate a gang relationship, saying that it is “a balancing act on a fine line.”
The high school worked closely with the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office to compile a list of items identified by law enforcement as being gang-related, said Sheriff Curtis Hill.
“Our school resource officers made recommendations based on the bottom line of this issue, which is that there has been a big increase in Norteno and Sureno activity at the school,” said Hill, who has an 18-year-old son at the school himself. “It is a good call by Principal Lomanto and Superintendent Rose, and I support the high school in their decision.”
Police Chief Jeff Miller added that an upset parent should sit down and talk it over with the school’s administration but pointed out that this is not an option considered by some.
My school resource officers will bring in parents of a student that is clearly exhibiting gang affiliation, and the parents will come in and sit down wearing the same thing their child has been wearing, said Miller.
A trustee with the district, Mary Encinias, said she sees a clear need for the dress code.
I wish we could have uniforms, she said. It would take away ability to identify yourself as a gang member. It would be cheaper for the parents, and we would be able to identify people who should not even be on the campus.
She said it also would eliminate skirts that are too short and pants that are too low.
Miller agreed that specific bans are necessary.
For some that say, ‘That’s not fair, my kid wants to wear this,’ they need to consider that their child could be attacked, he said. I understand and appreciate the school’s efforts to control paraphernalia coming into the campus.
Miller pointed out that banned items are used by gang members to intimidate others – and yes, it is a shame we have to prohibit something and everyone suffers, but safety at a school comes first.
The county sheriff agreed and said the bottom line is that parents need to be involved.
They need to know what their child is doing, who they are with, where they are, he said.
Principal Lomanto’s staff memo in its entirety:
“I want to thank the staff for reading the memo during first block and explaining to the students the importance of a safe campus. Although some students are up-set, we will continue to promote a professional and academic atmosphere that is safe.
A couple of questions have come about.
Does the dress code restrictions include Hollister clothing? No. Hollister clothing is not included in the information gathered by law enforcement. Hollister clothing line also has a So Cal logo usually with “Hollister” on the shirt. This is allowed.
Can the student wear lanyards around their necks? Yes. We are seeing the lanyard hanging out of their pockets to identify themselves with a group, which is not acceptable.
Will there be a grace period for students that may not have other clothing items? Yes, I have had a several emails/phone calls from parents supporting our efforts but need a little more time to find different clothing for their student (of course like everything else, I want to wave my magical wand and have it in place immediately but in hind sight, not a viable option!!).
We had several classes that did not receive the information, therefore not all students have been informed of clothing items. I cannot enforce a rule unless students have been properly notified. I did send a connect ed home last night and unfortunately 300 plus families were not notified (busy, no answering machine, etc.). I will be sending a letter home to parents as well.
The effective date will be tomorrow BUT we will warn students that are not in compliance until Friday October 3rd. This will give parents the weekend to purchase appropriate clothing and also time for us to make sure all families and students are notified.
Monday, please send students to the office if they are out of compliance. We will follow our appropriate dress code consequences.
We need the support of ALL staff members in order to keep our campus safe!! Thank you for supporting our efforts, as we make SBHS an even greater place to learn.”
The new list from the high school is printed in its entirety below:
No items with So Cal, Nor Cal, Cen Cal, South Pole, North Cali or Ecko Unlimited or related articles
No items with a reference to the California flag, map, star or bear
No items with reference to specific city and or area code. Therefore, no 831 or 408 clothing
No items with 187 or any type of weapon displayed
No items with any reference to North, South, West or East Side
No red, blue or black key chains or lanyards dangling from clothing
No red, brown or blue belts
