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Gender Inclusion Policies
The Whidbey Island Waldorf School strives to cultivate a culture of inclusion & equity that supports the value and dignity of each human being, fosters belonging, embraces and values differences, and works in community to positively impact our greater society.
It is essential that all students, regardless of gender identity, feel safe and supported in school, free from verbal and physical harassment or assault, are supported by teachers, and feel welcome to fully participate in the life of the school. As such, the Whidbey Island Waldorf School provides the following policies and practices.
Pronouns, Names, and School Records
All students have the right to be addressed by a name, pronouns, and other terms that correspond to their gender identity. This foundational respect should not rely on whether a student has access to a legal name change or gender marker change on official documents. Faculty, staff, and peers should always use the pronoun and name with which a student identifies or requests.
Educators, staff, and peers are expected to respect a student’s name and pronouns, once they have been made aware of said student’s information.
Pronoun identification will always be an invitation, not a requirement.
At WIWS, our common practice when introducing ourselves (e.g. at the beginning of the year, when there is a new person in the class, etc.) is to share our names and pronouns, if we use them and are open to sharing them. This practice reinforces the notion that we do not know a person’s pronouns simply by looking at them, and that pronouns may shift or change over time. Some students may not use pronouns, or may not be in a place where they feel comfortable sharing them.
When requested by the student and their caregiver, a transgender or nonbinary student’s name should be changed in the Student Database/Information System to reflect their affirmed gender.
If a student has not disclosed their gender identity to a /caregiver, and as a result the database/information system information cannot be changed, their affirmed name shall be noted as a “preferred name” in the system͘. This affirmed name will be used by faculty, staff and peers, according to the transgender or nonbinary student’s wishes. Attendance rosters and ID cards will reflect the student’s wishes with regards to name and/or gender marker/pronouns, regardless of the database/information system. The legal name will be used only where specifically required.
Students may, upon request, have a diploma and course records reissued with a name change after graduation.
A student’s gender will not be listed on school ID cards, permission forms, program application forms, or other forms, publications, or documents except where necessary due to state or federal law, regulation, or other requirements.
The intentional or persistent refusal to respect the gender identity of a student or employee after notification of the pronoun/name is a violation of WIWS’s code of conduct, and will require the school to follow up and determine an appropriate response, which may range from educational programming to dismissal, depending on the situation.
Privacy and Confidentiality
The process of coming out and transitioning is highly personal, and thus, disclosure and privacy are important considerations. For example, a student may come out to only one educator, but ask that they not yet change how they are addressed in the classroom (e.g., name or pronouns). Others may come out to a teacher and ask that this information be shared with other teachers and peers. All WIWS faculty and staff will follow the desires of the student when it comes to sharing names, pronouns and gender identity with others at the school.
Ideally, families and teachers are working together to support the needs of the student. There may be cases in which a student is not yet able to self-advocate, and the request to respect and affirm a student’s identity will likely come from the student’s caregiver. However, in other cases, transgender students may not want their caregivers to know about their trans identity. These situations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis, and the school should balance the goal of supporting the student with that of keeping caregivers informed about their student. The paramount consideration in such situations should be the health and safety of the student, while making sure that the student’s gender identity is affirmed in a manner that respects privacy and confidentiality.
Student Transitions
Transgender students or their caregivers should contact the appropriate student’s class teacher to schedule a meeting to develop a plan to address the student’s particular circumstances and needs. There is no medical or mental health diagnosis or treatment threshold that students must meet in order to have their gender identity recognized and respected. Since individual circumstances and needs may differ, we will consider the needs of the individual on a case-by-case basis. We will work with a young student’s family to identify appropriate steps to support the student.
Gender-Segregated Facilities & Activities
Students may use restrooms that are consistent with their gender identity consistently asserted at school. In addition, no student is required to use an alternative restroom because they are transgender or gender non-conforming, but it may be arranged at the request of the student or the student’s caregivers.
WIWS will protect the privacy of all students in restrooms.
Students shall be permitted to participate in athletics and other extracurricular activities according to their gender identity. Participation is not conditioned by requiring legal or medical documentation.
Sleeping Arrangements on Overnight Trips
WIWS’s goal is to maximize the student’s social integration and equal opportunity to participate in overnight trips and to ensure the student’s safety and comfort, and minimize student stigmatization. Students shall be allowed use of an overnight facility that corresponds with their gender identity. Transgender and nonbinary students will be consulted in the planning process, to address any potential concerns and needs for privacy. If applicable, a student’s caregiver should also be consulted, unless there are privacy concerns in doing so.
Under no circumstances will a transgender or nonbinary student be denied the opportunity to participate in any overnight trips or other opportunities based on overnight accommodations. No student will be required to be housed separately or in a manner that does not reflect their gender during any school sponsored trip or event, but they may be given that option.
Overnight trips require a great deal of sensitivity to ensure that all students are comfortable. Teachers will lead a process of checking in with students individually to ensure all students feel safe and comfortable with the sleeping arrangements and how sleeping groups are assigned, accommodating any student who desires greater privacy in overnight trips, working within the constraints of the particular venues.