My school made the news

“now this is what school is suppose to be like?

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/living/education/8520932.htm?1c”

“they want me to register, dangit.

what happened?”

“When you register on Charlotte.com......

rox - could you do a cut and paste?
I don't want to give my email address.”

“They are banning kids from wearing white t-shirts or pink because of gang problems..hmmm let me cut and paste.”

“Posted on Mon, Apr. 26, 2004





School bans solid T-shirts to counter gangs

Officials say they're concerned colors may indicate gang activity

CARRIE LEVINE & STEVE LYTTLE

Staff Writers


Northridge Middle School is banning a staple of the teenage wardrobe: solid-colored T-shirts.

Principal Tom Bridges said he is especially concerned about students coordinating their shirt colors because it might indicate gang activity at the northeast Charlotte school.

"We'd heard on Thursday that there might be something happening Friday with kids wearing white T-shirts," Bridges said. "It was a small number of kids, but we decided to deal with it."

Bridges said staff members are especially watching for groups of students wearing colors associated with gangs, such as white or pink.

School spokeswoman Jerri Haigler said that although some high schools -- including West Mecklenburg High School and Olympic High School -- have also banned solid colored T-shirts, she is not aware of any other Charlotte-Mecklenburg middle schools that have done so.

Northridge Parent-Teacher Association President Nanette Lide said the rule was in force at the beginning of the year as well, but has been sporadically enforced.

"You have to be consistent (with) them," she said. "It shouldn't be just ad hoc."

Lide said she has "little to no concern" about gang activity at Northridge.

"There's a whole lot more positive going on at Northridge Middle School than negative," she said.

Haigler also said there is no evidence of a gang presence at Northridge.

Haigler said Bridges made an announcement about the rule on Thursday and sent a letter home to parents. The school district has been stationing extra security at the school, Haigler said.

Bridges said the school enforced the rule in an effort to avoid any possible problem.

"I had parents thanking me Friday for being proactive on this," Bridges said.

While the primary concern was about groups of students who wore white and pink T-shirts, all solid colors are now banned, Haigler said.

"While this might not sound like much of a problem, this is a system used by gangs to identify themselves," she said.

Dress codes can vary school to school within CMS. Some schools require that students wear only certain colors; others permit solid T-shirts and ban those with designs on them. Other schools require uniforms.

Haigler and Bridges said any student who arrived at Northridge wearing a plain white T-shirt Friday was given a blue-and-green shirt to wear.

She said Bridges has met with parents who have questions about the policy. It is unclear whether it will be in effect next year, she said.”

“What self respecting gang would wear pink? ;-)”

“I've had my kids in two schools that have dress codes, which equates pretty much to a uniform system.

At first I was a little put off, but after living with it for a while, I kinda like it. No arguments about what to wear and what matches. Once you do the initial shopping, it's a good system. And the kids all look nice.”

“Okay, exactly which gang is wearing the pink T-shirts? The "Show-Tune-ers"?”

“Posted on Mon, Apr. 26, 2004





School bans solid T-shirts to counter gangs

Officials say they're concerned colors may indicate gang activity

CARRIE LEVINE & STEVE LYTTLE

Staff Writers


Northridge Middle School is banning a staple of the teenage wardrobe: solid-colored T-shirts.

Principal Tom Bridges said he is especially concerned about students coordinating their shirt colors because it might indicate gang activity at the northeast Charlotte school.

"We'd heard on Thursday that there might be something happening Friday with kids wearing white T-shirts," Bridges said. "It was a small number of kids, but we decided to deal with it."

Bridges said staff members are especially watching for groups of students wearing colors associated with gangs, such as white or pink.

School spokeswoman Jerri Haigler said that although some high schools -- including West Mecklenburg High School and Olympic High School -- have also banned solid colored T-shirts, she is not aware of any other Charlotte-Mecklenburg middle schools that have done so.

Northridge Parent-Teacher Association President Nanette Lide said the rule was in force at the beginning of the year as well, but has been sporadically enforced.

"You have to be consistent (with) them," she said. "It shouldn't be just ad hoc."

Lide said she has "little to no concern" about gang activity at Northridge.

"There's a whole lot more positive going on at Northridge Middle School than negative," she said.

Haigler also said there is no evidence of a gang presence at Northridge.

Haigler said Bridges made an announcement about the rule on Thursday and sent a letter home to parents. The school district has been stationing extra security at the school, Haigler said.

Bridges said the school enforced the rule in an effort to avoid any possible problem.

"I had parents thanking me Friday for being proactive on this," Bridges said.

While the primary concern was about groups of students who wore white and pink T-shirts, all solid colors are now banned, Haigler said.

"While this might not sound like much of a problem, this is a system used by gangs to identify themselves," she said.

Dress codes can vary school to school within CMS. Some schools require that students wear only certain colors; others permit solid T-shirts and ban those with designs on them. Other schools require uniforms.

Haigler and Bridges said any student who arrived at Northridge wearing a plain white T-shirt Friday was given a blue-and-green shirt to wear.

She said Bridges has met with parents who have questions about the policy. It is unclear whether it will be in effect next year, she said.”

“Yeah I agree pink is a gay color for a gang.”

“I just heard we were on the news...including CNN”

“Clem, that is something that was an issue here in the city some years ago. I don't usually advocate banning certain clothes form students if the reasons are really ludicrous, but gang related violence can be real problem and I hope you don't see a rise in that. I don't blame them for trying to nip this in the bud. Gangs can be really scary and very disruptive to an educational environement. Good luck and I hope this becomes a non-issue for your school...”

“Well we had a stand off on Thrus. during school between 2 different colors t-shirts ...I believe that spurred all of this excitement.”

“The Lily Whites and the Pretty Pinks.

Man, that's gonna be some throw-down!”

“Yah, what do they throw at each other, decprecations?”

“"deprecations"”

“White and pink... sounds like a pretty gang of thespians or a gang of band nerds. Whichever it is I know I feel safer now they aren't wearing those threatening colors.”

“scarey stuff..yeah
funny how a 11 to 15 year old think they hold the fate of the world in thier hands and they can't even hold up a pencil to write a complete sentence...wow are we breeding rocket scientist or a failing world?”

“In Greenville, SC last fall, the big issue was the high school kids being forced to tuck in their shirts. I was an AMAZINGLY huge issue, lots of air time on the local news, etc.

You'd have thought the kids were being told they had to goosewalk backwards wearing feather hats or something.”

“just to tuck a shirt in...most of those white and pink shirts look almost like dresses....”

“What was the rationale behind that? Too many concealed weapons?

And what's next? No white shoes after Labor Day?”

“I thought that white shoe thing was law!!”

“Those long tee-shirts, aka DRESSES, really crack me up. How could they fight while holding up their pants and hiking up their skirts.
And then the pig tails and braids. LMAO! Gender confusion? Slaves to stupid fashion.”

“I didn't really get the tucked in shirt thing, but it may have had to do with worry over weapons, the kids couldn't wear long coats in the school either, except to come and go, just not in the halls.

It really got the kids torqued up though.”

“So let me get this straight.

To be cool in school these days, you have to:

1) Wear pants that barely hang on your ass and show your underwear.

2) Wear a solid-color tshirt, same color as your friends are wearing, that is so long it goes to your knees.

3) Wear a baseball cap, but with the bill rotated to one side of your head.

4) Braid your hair or wear dreadlocks, which entails not washing your hair for ages.

5) Wear gigantic basketball shoes, and don't tie the laces.

Jeez, never mind looking cool, how do these kids get from one class to another without falling down and breaking something?”

“oh and you forgot wear a necklace that weighs so less that 8 lbs!

Then your cool...”

“Dress the little gang goobers in Hooters outfits so they can't conceal any weapons, LOL”

“am on the phone right now so I didn't read the complete thread...but....


my 13 year old is only wearing white t-shirts lately...even had to buy him a new pack. hmm...I may need to check into this.

Just the other day I asked the teacher if he is around kids that are not in trouble.”

“WEll Gemini there is a gang that wears only white, and pink is now for the Crypts who use to wear red I believe.”

“I think I'll have to talk to guidance. wasn't no use to confront byran about it because his answer was predictable. :)”

“Gem - sounds like you need to bring to big guns in.
Have The Dad 'talk' to the boy.

I know I didn't listen to my mom at that age, but when dad laid the law down, he had my attention, or else my a$$ was grass.”

“Yeah I agree with stovestompers... and you wont' believe but some of the kids dont' even realize why they are wearing a certian color they just want to follow the crowd... I say make them leaders not followers.”

“that's like in minnesota here, west of me a ways (was this posted here before?) in the town of climax, the senior slogan was printed on a t-shirt, and the senior's shirts were banned. "Climax, more than just a feeling" or... something along those lines.”

“and on that point there was a headline... "Fertile woman dies in Climax" that has nothing to do with this thread does it... n/m”

“lol...that sounds mild compared to what my middle school students discuss on a daily discussion..
I can't even stand to listen and I try not to...”

“"Yeah I agree pink is a gay color for a gang."
clem35yeah
08:24:08 A



Well maybe its the gay gang...you never know...Gemini i honestly wouldnt worry about it...maybe he is like i was for about oh up until now..i hate alot of color so i usully just wear cheap plain t-shirts...well i also like to show off my super chiseled physique...lol...maybe hes trying to impress the ladies with his pecs and biceps...if so then he is on the right trakc...keep on trucking buddy...”

“"Those long tee-shirts, aka DRESSES, really crack me up. How could they fight while holding up their pants and hiking up their skirts.
And then the pig tails and braids. LMAO! Gender confusion? Slaves to stupid fashion."


Aww, c'mon. I'm sure your elders made fun of yous guys as well when you were little with all the "trends." They're just trying to find themselves through that awkward stage... let em alone!

Not that I'm saying I like that fashion, it's just that there are weird phases that everyone goes through.”

“Shep I would only be concerned if my child was wearing long over sized t-shirts in white or pink for that matter. I am sure the kids will find a way around these colors and pick another color to represent their gang.
I know now that they may go to uniform dress next year. Which in this situation would not be a bad idea.”

“Well, I contaced the school guidance, and of course I received a pretty generic answer.

Bryan like expected has no clue.

we will definatelly talk to him about this problem. (Daddy will have to do this, but first I have to convince his dad that his son could be in trouble...)

oversized shirts? well that's all that Bryan is wearing for years. That's just in right now. So it's really hard to tell.

I can tell you that I won't believe every word he is saying.

I am actually not too concerend, he is in the boyscouts and all...but I want to make sure. Want to prevent something that might could happen.

I think Byran is more of a leader then a follower. He is pretty popular in school and girls are all over him already. So, I am not sure if he is even gang material. His teacher said he is with the good crowd. (fine young men, how she phrased it)

(know all this from his teacher)”

“ He is pretty popular in school and girls are all over him already.

Watch it, sista!”

“Yeah just being aware is the best...that in itself helps because alot of these kids didn't even think about a gang till 8th grade.”

“Much ado about nothing.”

“well it's more than nothing... at least not in my school”

“I'm sure they think they are being proactive and all but school administrators have a very long history of jumping on things that are nothing and being inactive on things that really matter.

Good luck.”

“I would agree with you about that in some cases, however where I am at no one is jumping the gun. This has been escalating all school year and last school year.. they are only now beginning to put their foot down.
I have seen alot and I can't really say but I can say that this had to happen this is the part that they were inactive about that now they are having to deal with it.”