Natick Public Schools has policy that appears to keep gender identity of students hidden from parents

Natick Public Schools has a policy in place titled “Gender Identity Support” that was adopted on October 15, 2018. The policy states that students can participate in school activities according to their preferred gender identity: “In all cases, students will be supported to participate in school and all related activities and facilities in a manner consistent with their gender identity of choice.” The policy also appears to state that parents and families may not need to be involved with the process of a student changing to a different gender identity:

Natick Public Schools will not require legal documentation to change the student’s name or gender on the educational record. The student and/or family discussion with the support team will suffice.

The organization Parental Rights Natick also has the district’s “Gender Communication Plan” and “Gender Support Plan” posted online. The district’s “Gender Support Plan” is taken directly from Gender Spectrum’s gender support plan template. The plan specifically asks if parents are aware: “Guardians aware of student’s gender status?” The plan also asks “how will a teacher/staff member respond to any questions about the student’s gender from” the “parents/community.”

The district’s “Gender Communication Plan” is similar and also asks: “Are guardians aware of student’s gender status?” This plan then asks: “If support is low, what considerations must be accounted for in implementing this plan?”

The organization Gender Spectrum previously offered resources specifically targeting “youth” and even teachers. Gender Spectrum offered resources to educators on a page titled “Integrating Gender Diversity Into Everyday Curriculum.” This page explained that the discussion of gender can be integrated into subjects like history, science, mathematics, and even physical education. In targeting the youth, Gender Spectrum offered online chatrooms for children as young as 10 years old who identify as “trans” or “non-binary.”