Austin Independent School District celebrates “Decade of Pride” in March; promotes LGBTQ activities for elementary students

On March 13, 2024, Mollie Dawson Elementary School of the Austin Independent School District posted on Facebook that the district celebrated “Pride Week” and a “Decade of Pride” from March 18-23. The elementary school explains that “this year marks Austin ISD’s 10th year celebrating and recognizing Pride.” The school also has themes for students on each specific day, including “Ally,” “Acceptance,” and “Identity.”

The elementary school also linked to the school district’s resources. The district explains on the website: “Each campus will receive a guide of suggested activities and resources for PRIDE Week. Campuses are encouraged to coordinate activities that engage, educate and inspire.” The district also tells students and staff to “please visit your campus front office to pick up Pride and Ally stickers, posters, flags, pronoun buttons and more.”

The school district has a two-page guide posted online for this week that appeared to be originally created for another year with the dates shown. This guide includes an “All Are Welcome Lesson Plan” for students in kindergarten through the second grade, reading of the LGBTQ book Julian is a Mermaid for students in the third through fifth grades, and a “Pride Spirit Day.”

Activities listed for elementary students include “create an AISD pride themed bulletin board,” “write welcoming messages with chalk,” and “friendship bracelet + pride jewelry making.”

Activities for secondary students include to “decorate a pride flag” and to “set up a Tik-Tok or selfie station at lunch.”

The district has another page promoting LGBTQ professional development for staff “to help school staff increase their cultural competency with LGBTQIA+ youth so that they can better support, advocate and provide a safe environment for their students.” One resource on this page is from the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Learning for Justice organization that actively promotes schools implementing LGBTQ curricula.