Sept. 11 T-Shirt Stirs School Controversy

SONOMA, Calif. -- A seventh-grader at Adele Harrison Middle School in Sonoma wound up in the principal's office on Sept. 11 because of his T-shirt.

Dean Martin, 11, wore a blue firefighter T-shirt as a tribute to first responders.

The problem? The color. Sonoma Valley Unified School District doesn't allow students to wear solid red or blue clothing because of gang affiliations with those colors, reported KTVU-TV in San Francisco.

The principal said the school district made an exception on Sept. 11 last year, but gang problems ensued.

"We did have posturing, tense intimidating situations on campuses," said middle school Principal Adele Harrison. "As a school district, we decided we were not going to allow that compromise this year."

Dean's father, Dennis Martin, is a firefighter in Vallejo, Calif.

"It's the standard shirt we wear, all firefighters wear," he said. "You have your IFAA logo in the front and the name of the city and fire on the back."

The principal said the school's dress policy was to improve student safety and was developed following meetings with teachers, parents and the Sonoma County Gang Task Force. Students who come to school in violation of the dress code are asked to change into their gym shirt or a solid shirt that is not red or blue.

When Dean refused to change out of the T-shirt, he was sent home.

"I was upset because they were making me take off the T-shirt," Dean said.

Dennis Martin had no problem with his son being sent home for the day.

"I felt my son was standing up for something he believed in, and as a parent, I supported him," said Dennis Martin. "I'm actually proud of him for what he believed in."

The principal plans to meet with Dean's parents to discuss the matter.