5080: Gangs, Secret Societies and Disruptive Groups

District Policy 5080   

GANGS, SECRET SOCIETIES AND DISRUPTIVE GROUPS

1.0       General. School districts are required by Colorado law to adopt policies regarding prohibited gang-related activities in school.

2.0       Definition. A gang, secret society or disruptive group (hereafter referred to collectively as “disruptive groups”), for the purposes of this policy shall be defined as a group of three or more individuals, whether formal or informal, sharing a common name, interest, bond, confederation, alliance, initiation practice, network, conspiracy, or activity characterized by criminal or delinquent conduct, or conduct that violates District policies, whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of such activity.

3.0       Prohibited Items, Behaviors, or Actions. Wearing, displaying or possessing items that signify identification with disruptive groups as defined herein is prohibited.

3.1       Examples of prohibited items, behaviors or actions which may be indicative of disruptive group affiliation include but are not limited to:

3.1.1    Colors / Numbers – A common color or number used to represent affiliation with the disruptive group.  Colors and numbers may be represented through, but not limited to, clothing, bandanas, nail polish, sports logos/apparel, cosmetics, or other items that display a “color” or number on a person or possession.

3.1.2    Signs – Verbal or Physical – Statements, gestures, signals, or signs flashed by individuals either to members of their own disruptive group as communication or identification, or intended as taunts or challenges to others.

3.1.3    Graffiti – A drawing, symbol, phrase, cryptic writing, code, icon, logo, or written word used to express opinions, membership in a disruptive group about other groups or direct challenges to others.

3.1.4    Apparel / Jewelry – Hats, bandanas, emblems, trademarks, badges, insignias, logos, belts, belt buckles, colored shoe strings, jewelry or other clothing that identify the individual with the disruptive group and/or that carries meaning for the disruptive group.

3.1.5    Manner of Grooming – Tattoos, hairstyles, and other unifying marks (i.e. manner of shaving, piercings) indicative of affiliation with or that carries meaning for a disruptive group.

3.1.6    Recruitment – Action to knowingly solicit, to invite, recruit, encourage, coerce, or otherwise cause another to actively participate in or become a member of a disruptive group.  Furthermore, recruitment also includes the use of force, threat, or intimidation directed at any person, or by the infliction of bodily injury upon any person, thereby preventing the individual from leaving a disruptive group.

4.0       Prevention, Intervention, and Suppression Strategies. The District shall implement prevention, intervention and suppression strategies to address disruptive group activity.

4.1       Prevention – The District shall implement strategies to educate students, staff and parents about warning signs of disruptive group behavior, the dangers of disruptive group membership, and suggestions to assist parents whose children are involved in or at risk of disruptive group involvement.

4.2       Intervention.

4.2.1    Students who violate or are suspected to be in violation of this policy shall be referred to school administration for investigation.  For purposes of this policy, violations shall be measured throughout a student’s enrollment at a particular level (e.g. elementary, middle and high school).

4.2.2    The typical progression of intervention for violations of this policy shall be as follows:

4.2.2.1 1st Offense – warning and education about the policy, school-based sanctions including suspension up to three (3) days out of school, and a requirement that student and parent review and sign a statement indicating their understanding of the “Gang, Secret Society and Disruptive Groups” policy.

4.2.2.2 2nd Offense – up to five (5) days out-of-school suspension and a required parent meeting as a condition of re-entry for the purpose of reviewing the “Gang, Secret Society and Disruptive Group” policy and the consequences of future violations.

4.2.2.3 3rd or Subsequent Offenses – up to a five (5)-day out-of-school suspension and potential expulsion from school.

5.0       Suppression.

5.1       All violations of this policy which involve violence, threats of violence, or an immediate risk to the safety of students or staff shall result in suspension out-of-school for a minimum of three (3) days.

5.2       Furthermore, action up to and including expulsion from school may be considered for any single violation of this policy depending upon the nature of the offense, the severity of the situation, and the student’s discipline history.

LEGAL REFERENCES:
C.R.S. 22-32-109.1
C.R.S. 24-33.5-415.3

CROSS REFERENCES:
Policy 5000
Policy 5010
Policy 5060

Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Most Recent Adoption: August 6, 2020