Schools across Alberta, including Jasper, will soon implement new policies and guidelines to support and protect students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
School boards have until March 31 to finalize their policies before presenting them to the minister for final consideration. In preparation for that date, Jasper’s schools have been discussing the provincial directive, which was presented by Education Minister David Eggen Jan. 16.
“It’s an exciting policy,” said Grande Yellowhead Public School Division Trustee Betsy DeClercq.
“I feel very passionate that we need to support all of our students.”
The 18-page document contains 12 best practices, which include allowing students to dress in clothing and participate on sports teams that reflect their gender identity and expression.
The document also specifically states that schools must provide a non-gendered, single-stall washroom for any student, regardless of the reason.
“Part of the reason why they are doing this is because the statistics are incredibly high for suicide for students who are dealing with these types of issues,” said DeClercq, who represents Jasper Junior/Senior High School and Jasper Elementary School.
“Having students feel supported and cared for in school is vital for these kids.”
DeClercq said so far the parents she’s spoken to have welcomed the new policy.
“I can’t tell you that there’s unanimous support across our division, but I think in Jasper we’re pretty progressive,” she said, adding Jasper is the only high school out of five in the division that has a gay-straight alliance (GSA).
“It’s heart wrenching that there are certain school boards that don’t feel they can support this policy,” she said, explaining some school boards in the province are having a much more difficult time with the policy.
While the policy is a step in the right direction, students in Jasper’s GSA said there’s still room for improvement.
“With an official policy you can officially call someone out and say, ‘you’re not allowed to do that,’” said Oriana Clark, a Grade 11 student with the GSA.
Her peers agreed, but pointed to several examples where the school falls short in supporting an inclusive environment.
“We still can’t go into classes to talk about sexuality without a parent agreement,” said Grade 11 student Katelyn Garton with the GSA.
“It’s so open and out there in the media nowadays, but it’s confusing why we can’t go to a classroom and be like, ‘hey, if you’re confused about your sexuality or if you just want to have a group to eat lunch with, come to the GSA.’”
She said a lot of students don’t understand that sexuality is a spectrum and can change overtime.
To help educate students the group is putting together a bulletin board that provides definitions for different sexual identities and orientations, such as what it means to be pansexual or transgender.
As for some of the policies within the provincial directive, such as accommodating someone on a sports team that reflects their gender identity, the students welcomed the idea, but questioned how JJSHS would implement it.
“I think it would be good, but I don’t think [the school] will put it in place right away, because even our gym [classes are] separated,” said Clark.
“Even for things like the dance unit, which should be partner dancing, we didn’t go with the boys, it was totally separated, we always did different things.”
Eric Bouchard, vice-principal for the high school, welcomed the new directive.
“High school and elementary school is all about inclusive education, it’s about creating a safe and caring environment for all our students in our care. That’s really what it comes down to, so this policy really encourages that philosophy,” he said.
Raymond Blanchette-Dube, principal of the elementary school, echoed Bouchard’s comments.
“It’s the right thing to do,” he said.
“Everybody should feel safe and included and able to go to school free of judgment.”
To prepare for the policy’s eventual adoption, the school board is making an inventory of all of its facilities to determine how it can accommodate its students.
According to DeClercq, the high school intends to convert a washroom designed for people with disabilities into a gender-neutral washroom, while the elementary school will likely have to designate one of its staff washrooms to accommodate the new policy, although that is still to be determined.
She encouraged anyone who has any questions or concerns about the policy to either attend the next parent council meeting or call her at 780-852-4968.
The next parent council meeting at the high school is March 14 at 7 p.m., while the next parent council meeting at the elementary school is March 2 at 7 p.m.
For those who want to learn more about the policy, visit www.understandingtheguidelines.ca.
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
