Smithfield Public Schools has policy to keep gender identity of students hidden from parents

Smithfield Public Schools has a policy in place titled “Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Transitioning Students Policy.” The policy states that the gender identity of secondary students can be hidden from parents: “Generally, notification to a student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) about their gender identity, expression, or transition is unnecessary, as they are already aware and supportive.” The policy then states:

However, some transgender students do not want their parents to know about their transgender status. These situations must be addressed on a case-by-case basis and require schools to balance the goal of supporting the student with the desire that parents be kept informed about their children. As part of the Gender Transition Plan, the school shall put into place measures that will be taken to work with the student to involve their parent/guardian.

Staff are mandated to use the preferred pronouns of students: “Students shall then be addressed by school staff by the name and pronoun corresponding to the student’s gender identity according to their wishes.” 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.

The language of the policy appears to be taken from Rhode Island’s statewide transgender policy.