Dear Sac City Unified Families,

Graduation is a major milestone in the lives of our students, and this celebration not only encompasses their academic achievements but also the preservation and appreciation of the tapestry of our heritage. This is a time when our families joyously embrace the richness of diversity of our students. Many of our students will express their cultural pride and honor their heritage by wearing native or traditional clothing. SCUSD supports this expression and will allow them to wear native or traditional clothing during graduation ceremonies that is consistent with school dress code policies. 

Thank You

 

Below you will find the communication received from CDE and Superintendent Thurmond pertaining to graduation dress code:

 

Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and High School Principals:

As another school year comes to a close, I’d like to thank you for all you do every day in support of our students, families, and staff.

I know that you are in the midst of celebrating our graduates at commencement ceremonies with their families and friends, and my hope is that graduation is a time we joyously embrace the richness of diversity of our students.

Many students will express their cultural pride and honor their heritage by wearing native or traditional clothing—and they must be allowed to.* Graduation is a major milestone in the lives of our students, and this celebration not only encompasses their academic achievements but also the preservation and appreciation of the tapestry of our heritage.  

Please extend my congratulations to all of your graduates and accept our sincere thanks for your support of California’s students. The California Department of Education and I appreciate all that you and your staff do.

Have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

*Per Assembly Bill 1248 (Gloria) and Assembly Bill 945 (Ramos), California’s students have the right to wear tribal regalia to commencement ceremonies. California Education Code § 35183.1 specifically protects students’ right to wear “traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at school graduation ceremonies.” This law went into effect on January 1, 2019, and applies to all students in California.