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VOLUME 103 |
ISSUE EIGHT
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A PR IL 16, 2015 |
PUYALLUP HIGH SCHOOL
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Chipotle takes on Qdoba See page eight
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FACILITY MODIFICATIONS IMPLEMENTED The Puyallup School District recently began modifications to bathrooms and locker rooms in schools in order to comply with state law prohibiting discrimination.
inclusive approach, no matter [personal] beliefs. [A] student has the right to be recognized [by] the gender of their choice, including the use of locker rooms, bathrooms, sports, dress codes, etc.” The minutes also specify the regulations following Policy 3211. The regulations state that: a name can be changed with legal documentation, gender can be changed with parent or student request, preferred pronouns may be used and students may dress in accordance to their preferred gender. To read the official minutes regarding Policy 3211 or its regulations, see the QR code provided. “[The policy] was adopted by the School Board in September,” Fox said. Stated in number 3211 of the “District Policies Book” on the Puyallup School District website, “The board believes in fostering an educational environment that is safe and free of discrimination for all students, “[A] STUDENT HAS THE RIGHT TO BE RECOGNIZED [BY] THE GENDER OF THEIR CHOICE, INCLUDING THE USE OF LOCKER ROOMS, BATHROOMS, SPORTS DR ESS CODE , ETC .” DIVERSITY COMMITTEE MINUTES
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Scan the QR Code to view the Puyallup School District’s Policy 3211.
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he Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) passed by the Washington State legislature prohibits discrimination against peoples based on their gender identity. In order to comply with this state law, the Puyallup School District has also set up a policy to follow these regulations. Policy 3211 is the District’s answer to prohibiting discrimination. Brian Fox is the Executive Director of Communications, Information and Arts Education at the Puyallup School District. Fox spoke about the District’s terminology regarding Policy 3211. “‘Gender-neutral bathrooms or ‘[gender-neutral] locker rooms was [a term] invented by a radio personality in Seattle. The Puyallup School District has never used that term,” Fox said. Fox also says that all districts in the state of Washington will be implementing policies similar to 3211. “All Washington school districts will have something like 3211 since the “A L L policy is based on WASHINGTON Washington State SCHOOL law prohibiting DISTRICTS discrimination. If you W I L L H AV E study the regulation S O M E T H I N G L I K E that accompanies the 3 2 1 1 S I N C E T H E policy, 3211, you [will] P O L I C Y I S B A S E D learn more about the O N W A S H I N G T O N accommodations STAT E L AW...” to be considered on a case-by-case BRIAN FOX basis,” Fox said. “The EXECUTIVE policy is in place DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, for us to follow. So, INFORMATION AND as concerns arise, ARTS EDUCATION accommodations will be made as appropriate.” English teacher and adviser of the Gay Straight Alliance, Gayle Franks dispels worries about mistreatment of the policy. “Unfortunately there is not a lot known about transgenderism today and so people fearfully and ignorantly jump to the assumption that there will be issues of rape and inappropriateness,” Franks said. Franks goes on to elaborate on misconceptions regarding the policy. “This [policy] does not mean that a boy can walk into a girl’s bathroom or locker room and it does not mean that a girl could do the same,” Franks said. The policy and regulation also addresses various ways of including all students and prohibiting discrimination. According to the minutes from the Diversity Committee meeting held March 5, “[The policy is] an
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