Tiverton School District has policy to keep gender identity of students hidden from parents

Tiverton School District has a policy in place titled “Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students.” The policy explicitly states that the gender identity of students should be hidden from parents:

The school should speak with the student first before discussing a student’s gender nonconformity or transgender status with the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s). For the same reasons, the school should discuss with the student how the school shall refer to the student, e.g. appropriate pronoun use, in written communication to the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s). The school should not discuss a student’s gender identity with the parent(s) or guardian(s) if they believe it may jeopardize the student’s physical or mental safety.

The policy later states: “Each school should work closely with the student to assess the degree to which if any, the family will be involved in the process and must consider the health, well-being, and safety of the transitioning student.”

Staff are mandated to use the preferred pronouns of students: “The plan could include when and how to communicate to staff, to students and the parents of other students. In the case of a transgendered student who is enrolling into the school, it is important that the school respect the student’s privacy and preferred name.” Students are allowed to use the restrooms and locker rooms as well as participate in sports according to their preferred gender identity.

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