Administrative Regulation

AR 5136

Students

Gangs

Prevention and Intervention Measures

In order to discourage the influence of gangs, school staff shall take the following measures:

1. Any student displaying behavior, gestures, apparel or paraphernalia indicative of gang affiliation shall be referred to the principal or designee.

a. The student's parent/guardian shall be contacted and may be asked to meet with school staff.

b. The student may be sent home to change clothes if necessary.

(cf. 5132 - Dress and Grooming)

2. Staff members shall be provided with the names of known gang members.

3. Students who seek help in rejecting gang associations may be referred to community-based gang suppression and prevention organizations.

(cf. 1020 - Youth Services)

4. Any gang graffiti on school premises shall be removed, washed down or painted over as soon as discovered.

a. Daily checks for graffiti shall be made throughout the campus.

b. Graffiti shall be photographed before it is removed. These photographs shall be shared with local law enforcement authorities and used in future disciplinary or criminal action against the offenders.

(cf. 3515 - Campus Security)

(cf. 5131.5 - Vandalism, Theft and Graffiti)

5. Classroom and after-school programs at each school shall be designed to enhance individual self-esteem, provide positive reinforcement for acceptable behavior, and foster interest in a variety of constructive activities. These programs shall also:

a. Explain the dangers of gang membership

b. Provide counseling for targeted at-risk students

c. Include lessons or role-playing workshops in gang avoidance skills and nonviolent conflict resolution, including communication skills, anger management, ethnic/cultural tolerance, and mediation skills

d. Assign individual gang members to cooperative learning groups in which they may work toward common goals with students who are not members of their gang

e. Provide school-to-career instruction

(cf. 6030 - Integrated Academic and Vocational Instruction)

f. Provide positive interaction with local law enforcement staff

(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)

Gang prevention lessons may be taught jointly by teachers and law enforcement staff.

6. Staff shall actively promote membership in authorized student organizations which can provide students companionship, safety, and a sense of purpose and belonging, including:

a. Positive sports and cultural activities and affiliations with the local community

(cf. 6145 - Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)

(cf. 6145.2 - Athletic Competition)

b. Structured, goal-oriented community service projects

(cf. 6142.4 - Learning through Community Service)

Community Outreach

Gang prevention classes or counseling offered for parents/guardians shall address the following topics:

1. The dangers of gang membership

2. Warning signs which may indicate that children are at risk of becoming involved with gangs

3. The nature of local gang apparel and graffiti

4. Effective parenting techniques

5. Conflict resolution techniques

Community programs shall address:

1. The scope and nature of local gang problems

2. Strategies by which each segment of the community may alleviate gang problems

Regulation PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: March 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California