For the first time, the Austin Independent School District is , which will feature conversations and celebrations to show support for their lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender staff and students.
The week will starts with a kick-off celebration this afternoon at district headquarters. There will be a panel of LGBT and civil rights leaders, along with a photographic exhibit.
Later this week, the district will hold a similar discussion for students. In the past year, Austin ISD has worked to become a more inclusive community for staff and students.
It鈥檚 the largest school district in the country designated as a 鈥淣o Place for Hate District.鈥� Allison Daskam with the school district says they want all their students to feel included at school.
鈥淔or a student who is struggling there鈥檚 nothing more important than knowing you are safe and a school district is a very important place to make that statement,鈥� says Daskam.
The district says it鈥檚 also working to clarify district policy to be more inclusive. And the district is planning to roll out a new curriculum called Welcoming Schools. Beverly Reeves is the district鈥檚 ombudsman. She says the curriculum teaches students to be more inclusive.
鈥淵ou have a single mother, single father. You have two mothers, two dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles and families don鈥檛 look the same,鈥� Daskam says. 鈥淪o we鈥檙e bringing into a dialogue so we have our families or students who are LGBT that it鈥檚 not a shock or surprise or out of the norm.鈥�
The curriculum is not mandatory, but can be used at elementary schools, if they are interested, as part of the district鈥檚 Social and Emotional learning program.
