Providence Public School Board adopts new policy to support transgender students

This week the Providence Public School Board passed a policy to support transgender and gender expansive students throughout the district. Gender expansive refers to students who do not identify with normative gender roles. Providence Public Schools Spokesperson Laura Hart says the new policy supports student’s rights and formalizes expectations from the staff. “The policy really talks about respect and about meeting a child where that child is at, and trying to support children in an environment so that they can learn, and honor who they are,” said Hart. The policy allows students to choose the bathroom and locker room they identify with, with the option to use private facilities. Additionally, starting in September every public school in Providence will designate a point team to meet one-on one with transgender students and their families to address each student’s individual needs.