Narragansett School System has policy to keep gender identity of students hidden from parents

The Narragansett School System has a policy in place titled “Gender Identity and Expression (Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youth).” The policy explicitly states that the gender identity of students can be hidden from parents:

In some cases, notifying parents/guardians regarding a student’s gender expression, identity, or transition carries health and safety risks for the student, including family rejection or abuse. School staff should work closely with the student to assess the degree to which, if any, the parent/guardian will be involved in the process, and must consider the health, well-being, and safety of the transitioning student.

The policy later states: “When contacting the parent(s) or guardian(s) of any student, school staff should use a student’s legal name and the pronoun corresponding to the student’s gender assigned at birth unless the student or parent(s)/guardian(s) have specified otherwise.”

Staff are mandated to use the preferred pronouns of students: “School staff shall address all students by a preferred name as well as pronouns corresponding to their gender identity that is consistently asserted at school.” Students are allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms as well as participate in sports and overnight field trips according to their preferred gender identity.