Puyallup School District has policy to keep parents in the dark regarding their children’s gender identity

The Puyallup School District has a policy titled “Gender-Inclusive Schools” that is dated as last revised on June 29, 2022. The policy explicitly states that parents can be left in the dark regarding the gender identity of their children: “Before contacting a student’s parents, the school will consult with the student about the student’s preferences regarding family involvement and consider whether safety concerns are present for the student.” The policy later adds:

Before communicating with parents of transgender or gender expansive students, it’s important to ask the student how school employees should refer to the student when talking with their parents and guardians. For families who are supportive, using the student’s name and pronoun could be affirming for the student. For parents who are not supportive, or who are not aware of the student’s transition at school, referring to their name and pronoun could be very dangerous.

The policy then appears to threaten staff and teachers into obeying this policy: “The district will not condone the intentional or persistent refusal to respect a student’s gender identity or gender expression, or inappropriate release of information regarding a student’s transgender or gender-expansive status.”

Students are also allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms and participate in sports according to their preferred gender identity. In the case of overnight field trips, students “will be permitted to participate in accordance with the gender identity they assert at school.” The school district will provide training for staff on “appropriate strategies for communicating with students and parents about issues related to gender identity and gender expression, while protecting student privacy.”