Addressing Issues of Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Report to the Board of Education June 24, 2008
Presentation Agenda Purpose for this work What this work means from a parent perspective Meeting District Goal #3: legal requirements, work in California schools Action plan to address this issue
Purpose of this work To build staff awareness in order to support our students and families To understand the adverse affects of negative language and attitudes about gay and lesbian people to employees and students, even the very young To build a safe, respectful climate for all students and staff
What this work means from a parent perspective…
District Goal #3: Ensure all students will be in educational environments that are safe and conducive to learning Legal References: AUSD Board Policy : Nondiscrimination/Harassment Education Code Section 2000 Penal Code Section (A) AB 537: Student Safety & Violence Prevention Act of 2000
Plan for this work Curriculum Development Team Develop teacher facilitation skills, which can integrate with the Caring School Communities class meeting format around anti-bullying, anti- slurs Develop one lesson per grade level focused on inclusiveness, family diversity, & anti-bullying Develop resources for each grade level – books, DVDs, etc.
Elementary Curriculum Team Teachers: Felice Botts Anne Faria-Poynter Heidi Huhn Audrey Hyman Sharon Jackson Serena Kielty Lynn Kinsey Maggie Lowe Jeni Marr Madelyn Merola Jan Rosa Michelle Toth Todd Wolf Sean Cahill, Parent Barry Chersky, Coach Gail Rossiter, Wellness Coordinator Jan Goodman, Principal Debbie Wong, District
Action Plan for this work October 29 th Staff Development for elementary staff LGBT Curriculum Committee met: 12/7, 1/15, 2/6, 4/16 Development of FAQs March 13 th : PTA Council presentation October 30 th Staff Development for secondary staff Fall: Two regional community forums Fall: Recommendation to Board to adopt elementary supplemental materials, curriculum Semester 2: implementation of elementary curriculum Ongoing focused support to boost secondary Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) student organizations Refine required high school course Current Life Issues
Implementation & Communication to the Community Frequently Asked Questions for staff and parents Curriculum development Opting out Fall regional parent community forums Development of District protocol to address issue Site administrator support