Dos Palos students protest after school forces sophomore to remove American flag shirtSeveral students at Dos Palos High School are protesting today ? by wearing patriotic regalia to school -- after a sophomore student was forced to remove a T-shirt depicting the American flag.
School officials confirmed today that Jake Shelly, a sophomore at the school, was forced to take off a red, white and blue tie-dyed American flag T-shirt on Tuesday. The shirt contained the words: "United States of America, Washington, D.C."
The school's assistant principal issued Shelly a different T-shirt that read "DVC: Dress Code Violator." He was given his shirt back at the end of the day.
"It was really embarrassing and humiliating to have to wear that all day ? and just for supporting your country," his sister Kaycee Shelly said.
District officials said they apologized to the student, his family and the local American Legion on Wednesday ?- Constitution Day.
"In reviewing the dress code at the time, an administrator felt the shirt was in violation of that section of the dress code," District Superintendent Brian Walker said. "She asked him to remove it and he did."
The student violated a clause of the school dress code that does not allow "shirts/blouses that promote specific races, cultures, or ethnicities." School officials said they will now interpret that clause of the dress code differently.
A student who refuses to remove an article of clothing that violates the dress code is automatically suspended for 3-5 days.
Students on campus, Jake Shelly included, started a campaign to wear as much red, white, or blue clothing and carry as many flags as possible today.
Kaycee Shelly told members of the media that her brother was overwhelmed and did not want to participate in any more interviews.
Jake Shelly was wearing the tie-died T as part of a hippie dress-up day during Homecoming week.
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