Student Forced To Remove "Gang-Style" Gators Shirt (Public School shenanigans alert!)

WFTV ^ | Jan 30, 2007 | WFTV

[commish]

SAINT CLOUD, Fla. -- Two Osceola County parents said their son was humiliated at school when he was suspected of wearing "gang-style" clothing. Saint Cloud Middle School said only a handful of students were searched last week when they got a complaint.

The parents told Eyewitness News, if their son was wearing low baggy pants or a bandana, by all means he should have been sent home, but he wasn't. He was wearing a Florida Gators t-shirt.

Robert and Sara Crosby can't understand how their son could be connected to gang activity, especially by wearing a Gators t-shirt.

"Embarrassed. He was very upset. He said he kept asking the police officer if he looked like a gang member," Sara Crosby said.

The 7th grader wore blue jeans and a Gators shirt to school last week, on a day Saint Cloud Middle School just happened to be on the lookout for students donning so-called gang colors.

Sara Crosby said the school never told her about the search.

"I don't think it's fair what they're doing. The parents have no notice of what's going on," she said.

Osceola County Schools said the school doesn't have to notify parents, because it's a safety issue. A spokesperson for the school system also couldn't confirm or deny Crosby's son was searched.

Sara said her son was forced to change into his gym shirt.

"And that's what he had to wear all day," she said.

Seventh grader David Polito said he saw another student targeted for wearing a simple t-shirt.

"I have a DC [Shoes] shirt. They sent a kid home for a blue and white one like that," Polito told Eyewitness News.

The school system is downplaying the crackdown, telling Eyewitness News it's a non-issue. But, for the Crosbys, it obviously is.

"It'd be different if it wasn't a Florida Gators t-shirt. That's all it was," Sara Crosby said.

Osceola County Schools also said there is no dress code change and insists everything is back to normal now.

[commish]

IT just gets stupider every day.

Yep this sure looks like Gang wear to me!!!!!

[wireman]

The principal must be a ticked off FSU or Miami fan.

[Huntress]

Osceola County Schools said the school doesn't have to notify parents, because it's a safety issue.

Huh?

[Krankor]

Apparently, some shirts resemble gang colors. So, this might leave the wearer open to being mistakenly shot by some stupid gangbanger. There have actually been cases of bangers shooting deaf people because they thought they were flashing gang signs. It's kinda like sharks. They usually don't target people unless they mistake them for a seal.

[org.whodat]

No, I think many schools have a no shirt with logo policy. If that was the case the kid knew better.

[Drango]

gators bite.

[dread78645]

I thought this was the "gang activity" colors

[rollo tomasi]

His teacher must have been a 'Nole. /s

School way off base but i cringed every time the parent was quoted or the reporter editorialized about their plight.

A fricken gym shirt, thats worth about $50,000 in humiliation right there./s

Parents probably called Morgan "For the people" & Morgan already.

[ishabibble]

Florida teachers strike again! Is there even any gang activity in this school? Is this one of those upper middle-class schools that is being "pro-active"? Or do they just need to justify the funds?

[N. Theknow]

The principal must be a ticked off FSU or Miami fan.

More like an Ohio State alum.

[SengirV]

Bingo

[Mopp4]

Time for the new school uniform policy !

[org.whodat]

IT just gets stupider every day.

Looked up their dress code, they don't allow tank top, doesn't that gets your draws in a bunch also. Couldn't find their code of conduct, which has more dress code info.

[twigs]

The principal acted stupidly. But the kid shouldn't have been so sensitive. Humiliated? He's got a lot to learn in life.

[CT-Freeper]

Attention students. Due to the concern of colors being associated with gang activity, beginning tomorrow no clothing may be work that includes the following colors:

• White
• Red
• Blue
• Yellow
• Any other color that may be formed by a mixture of the above three colors

Thank you, that is all.

/sarcasm

[bondjamesbond]

If schools want to police what children wear, they should just go to uniforms. It saves parents a ton of money, and a lot of nonsense is avoided.

[CT-Freeper]

Err...That's, no color may be worn, not work.

[PissAndVinegar]

"There have actually been cases of bangers shooting deaf people because they thought they were flashing gang signs. "

Sorry but that sounds like a 'dark humor' sketch Saturday Night Live would do.

Being the person I am,(and having been around plenty of rude deaf people) I would laugh!

[NCC-1701]

It's a good thing the Colts are wearing their white jerseys for SB XLI. Otherwise, they'd be asked to leave the state of Florida for wearing gang colors at the game. Get rid of the gangs and let the more sensible kids attend school in a highly conducive learning environment. A tough chore to be sure, but achievable.

[bondjamesbond]

Humiliated? He's got a lot to learn in life.

Really. They want you to change your shirt, change your stupid shirt. If wearing a particular shirt is that important to you, you should probably be forced to change it on general principle.