Dress codes are a hot button issue in schools. It is important to create a positive learning environment, but many have schools have divergent views on how exactly to accomplish this. One 12-year-old student at The Vanguard School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, recently put his school’s dress code policy to the test. He refused to remove a Gadsden flag patch from his backpack.
In addition to the flag patch, he also had many other patches that he agreed to remove, including ones with alcohol and guns. His mother, Eden Rodriguez, is proud of her son for standing up for himself. After school administrators took some time to reconsider, they allowed the Gadsden flag patch to remain.
The Gadsden flag is a historical symbol that was first created by Christopher Gadsden during the American Revolution. He served as delegate to the Continental Congress representing South Carolina and as a brigadier general in the Continental Army. Beyond its historical context, many use the flag as a modern-day emblem of individualism and liberty.
The flag is yellow and features a rattlesnake. The words “don’t tread on me” are proudly displayed. The school initially took issue with this flag because of its ties to slavery.
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Eden took to Twitter to make this issue public. She explained the school did not like the patch “because it was racist.” She added: “They didn't want racism on school campus and I told them that was very subjective.”
"I was like this is wild that this is happening, is this America," she went on to say. “I do want him to stand up for his rights and [not] say 'bow down to the government,' it's been a tough call to just let him do what he wants and say he's at that age to make his own decisions."
As a charter school, The Vanguard School has more leeway than a public school to create its own policies. It is a publicly funded tuition-free institution. After Eden’s Twitter claims, Harrison School District 2 released a statement to clarify the situation.
“There has been National media attention on our charter school, The Vanguard School, related to a student having the Gadsden flag on his backpack,” it began. “Unfortunately, this story is incomplete. The patch in question was part of half a dozen other patches of semi-automatic weapons. The student has removed the semi-automatic patches. As a school district, we will continue to ensure all students and employees can learn and work in a safe and nurturing environment. The student returned to class without incident after removing the patches of semi-automatic weapons from the backpack. The Vanguard School and Harrison School District 2 worked in collaboration to resolve this matter.”
On August 29, 2023, the school itself sent the following letter home with its students: “Last week, a student came to school with patches affixed to his backpack, with a half dozen patches depicting guns/weapons and one referencing alcohol,” it stated. “Upon review by the district, they pointed out that in addition to these patches the 'Don’t Tread On Me' flag patch, also known as the Gadsden flag, needed to be removed in accordance with Harrison School District 2's policy. Vanguard administration consulted with District administrators, who directed the school to inform the student’s parents that the patch was not allowed at District schools. Vanguard administrators did so.”
The letter goes on to say that the following day the student returned to school with the flag patch still on his backpack. He was pulled aside so administrators could speak with him and his parents. An emergency meeting of The Vanguard School board of directors was called.
At the meeting it was decided that the student could keep his patch on his backpack. “The Vanguard School recognizes the historical significance of the Gadsden flag and its place in history,” the institution affirmed. “This incident is an occasion for us to reaffirm our deep commitment to a classical education in support of these American principles.”
