Alberta Policy Changes for 2SLGBTQQIA+ community
Last week, the Alberta government announced a series of policy changes related to gender-diverse youth and sexual education. The changes would prohibit hormonal treatment, puberty blockers and gender affirming surgery for children 15 years and younger; ban gender reassignment surgeries for minors under 17; and require parents to give permission before a student aged 15 and under can use a name or pronoun at school other than what they were given at birth. This is the third provincial government since last summer to enact policies that would, in our view, endanger the mental health, safety and well-being of 2SLGBTQQIA+ students. We are opposed to these plans and urge all governments to implement and support policies that are fair, equitable, anti-oppressive and value the individual rights and dignity of all students and staff. Last Friday, we released our second statement expressing this view.
Communications Tip Sheet
Principals and vice-principals engage with their school community regularly. Electronic communications and social media are now the preferred, if not exclusive, method by which many school communities learn about what is happening at their school and within their school board, and the primary method by which many parents/caregivers communicate with their child’s teacher. As a result, our Members need to consider how to manage these communications effectively and how best to navigate the various social media platforms. Our Protective Services Team has written a Tip Sheet to help support you as you grapple with issues around negative social media posts, recording of conversations and privacy issues.
Upcoming Starling Minds Workshop
Starling Minds will be offering a 4-week self-care workshop entitled "Cultivating Calm: Mindfulness Strategies For Chronic Stress." The workshop will run on Tuesdays from February 20 to March 12 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST. In this workshop, participants will embark on a journey into the realms of yoga, meditation and breathwork, uncovering the secrets to reducing chronic stress and unlocking emotional resilience. Learn more and register here.
Quote to Ponder
“You cannot change your future but you can change your habits, and surely your habits will change your future.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Media
How opt-in sex ed could impact Alberta youth
Fears remain about financial stability of Queen’s University
Boards move PD day to align with rare solar eclipse
Inside the Africentric school that celebrates Black history all year
Police officers won’t be back in Thames Valley schools
Budget cuts threaten $10 per day child care plan
Parents calling for clean air revolution in schools
Queen’s Park Update
The House is in recess until February 20, 2024.
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