Haverford details progress on transgendered students policies
HAVERFORD » School Superintendent Maureen Reusche last week presented the first detailed report on a committee that’s developing policy to address gender expansive/transgender students, while also considering broader issues of inclusivity in district schools.
Established in April, the committee is comprised of about 20 teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, administrators, nurses and social workers who represent all seven schools.
Psychologist/consultant Jeanne Stanley has been retained to facilitate the effort, and has to date provided background, resources, and information about other districts she’s worked said.
Reusche described an in-depth process that began April 20 with discussion of “who we are” and why this work is important. The session included clarification of terminology, as well as an introduction to the concept of sociocultural identity, Reusche said.
At a subsequent meeting on May 18 the committee reviewed its purpose, goals and desirable elements in a gender expansive/transgender policy.
Members also considered options for revising current anti-discrimination policy vs. crafting stand-alone measures.
The committee later broke up into smaller groups that examined various components of policies with, Reusche from other districts, such as privacy and confidentiality, unofficial and official records, use of names and pronouns, rest room and locker room accessibility, school activities and programs, course accessibility, dress codes, uniform policies, student safety and education, Reusche said.
A culminating meeting was planned for June 21.
However, the committee then concluded that areas concerning privacy/confidentiality, curriculum, and terminology required further discussion.
Three subcommittees formed and will meet over the summer, reconvening on Sept. 26.
Reusche emphasized that “this work is not something undertaken in the course of a day or so and brought to completion.
“Neighboring districts spent six months to a year looking at this. I don’t think we need that much time … But it doesn’t mean we can sit down and put everything in a nice neat package in a day or two.”
Communications Coordinator Anna Deacon wrote in an email Tuesday that “once the committee makes a recommendation, any revision or new policy undergoes a review and adoption process which is usually processed over three meetings.”
Looking forward, Reusche said some committee members wish to undertake an examination of broader themes concerning sociocultural identity, and how those identities are welcomed or addressed in district schools.
“We’re looking at gender expansive and transgender issues, but there are many other areas for which we can ask, are we inclusive, are we welcoming?” Reusche said.
Members of the Havertown Area Community Action Network began advocating in March for comprehensive policy to protect the rights of transgender students.
After hearing Reusche’s report, network member Jean Lutes said she was “thrilled.”
“There’s so much evidence that they’re on track to move forward, make big decisions and create policy that’s going to be effective. They’re doing a great job of not reinventing the wheel, learning from what others have already done. I’m really happy. I feel grateful that the district has been so responsive. I’m really hopeful about it.”
Tina Shelton, also with the network, thanked officials for their efforts.
“I believe that as a society we can be judged by how we treat the most vulnerable among us,” Shelton said. “Right now people who are transgender ... are among the most vulnerable. Standing up for them makes us better people.”
The term “transgender” refers to individuals who “identify as a different gender from the sex they were assigned at birth.”
“Gender expansive” describes people who “identify or express themselves in ways that broaden the culturally defined behavior or expression associated with one gender.”