APS Transgender Policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of y'all are ignoring genetic non-conformists who tend to opt female. Also, it's sports, games. so what?

I suppose I should be more specific: Turner's syndrome, XXY, just an X.

No problem. We can debate the genetic gray area. XY isn’t a gray area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think “destroying women’s sports” is a little overstating it because transgender folks are a tiny percentage of the population. And it would have to be male to female and play sports and be good. That’s a lot of ands. But, you could just make the guidelines based on sex, not gender. Gender is fluid.

I have boys so no immediate dogs in this fight. My boys wrestle. Girls wrestle in the league as well. Some of them are really really good. They have different strengths than the boys but they definitely have real strengths. Don’t count the girls out.

I agree.
And to the PP who stated “they are women now,” NO, they aren’t biologically female. And that matters in things like sports. And if no one should care about winning, why does the transgender person want/need to compete or try to win? Why is it fair to disadvantage the many XX females, but not the very few XY MTF people? They should be allowed to compete against other biological males.

+1.

Sports is biology, not BS social science.

If a man wants to compete as a woman, there should be a comprehensive battery of tests, at all biological levels, to make sure she is a woman, same as all other women.

Simple and fair.

[Anonymous]

FYI - there is a lot more to this policy change than just sports.

https://arlingtonparentcoa.wixsite.com/arlingtonparentcoa/agia-policy-proposal-aps-working-do

I wasn't at the meeting that these notes were taken at but I do find many of the points concerning. It seems as though APS is planning on leaving parents out of the conversation when it comes to transgender students. While I understand that not every student has a good relationship with their parents or feels safe enough with them to talk to them about this issue, I think it's an unfair response to decide to leave all parents out.

Recently with the Ashlawn read across America day event (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-a-virginia-school-a-celebration-of-transgender-students-in-a-kindergarten-class/2019/03/03/10fc9f90-3b7e-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html?utm_term=.b635cbc71edb) I was most surprised to hear about it via Arlington Now and the Washington Post rather than from the school. While my kids aren't in the classrooms that are involved, it would be nice to know that some of their classmates are involved in school sanctioned conversations about the topic so I'm not surprised when they come home asking questions about something they heard from a friend.

It's also concerning to me that students will be the ones who make the final decision about being comfortable rooming with a transgender student. While I think it's good that staff take the kids opinions into consideration, I feel totally comfortable shouldering the blame if my child isn't comfortable with the situation but also doesn't want to say it outright. I think it puts parents and minor students in an awkward situation...

Lots of things to think about and consider. Most of the policies I don't have a huge problem with. I do worry about how necessary it is to start talking to specifically about the topic to kindergarteners without the express permission of parents though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI - there is a lot more to this policy change than just sports.

https://arlingtonparentcoa.wixsite.com/arlingtonparentcoa/agia-policy-proposal-aps-working-do

I wasn't at the meeting that these notes were taken at but I do find many of the points concerning. It seems as though APS is planning on leaving parents out of the conversation when it comes to transgender students. While I understand that not every student has a good relationship with their parents or feels safe enough with them to talk to them about this issue, I think it's an unfair response to decide to leave all parents out.

Recently with the Ashlawn read across America day event (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-a-virginia-school-a-celebration-of-transgender-students-in-a-kindergarten-class/2019/03/03/10fc9f90-3b7e-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html?utm_term=.b635cbc71edb) I was most surprised to hear about it via Arlington Now and the Washington Post rather than from the school. While my kids aren't in the classrooms that are involved, it would be nice to know that some of their classmates are involved in school sanctioned conversations about the topic so I'm not surprised when they come home asking questions about something they heard from a friend.

It's also concerning to me that students will be the ones who make the final decision about being comfortable rooming with a transgender student. While I think it's good that staff take the kids opinions into consideration, I feel totally comfortable shouldering the blame if my child isn't comfortable with the situation but also doesn't want to say it outright. I think it puts parents and minor students in an awkward situation...

Lots of things to think about and consider. Most of the policies I don't have a huge problem with. I do worry about how necessary it is to start talking to specifically about the topic to kindergarteners without the express permission of parents though.

What other topics do you think teachers shouldn’t be able to discuss without notifying parents first?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI - there is a lot more to this policy change than just sports.

https://arlingtonparentcoa.wixsite.com/arlingtonparentcoa/agia-policy-proposal-aps-working-do

I wasn't at the meeting that these notes were taken at but I do find many of the points concerning. It seems as though APS is planning on leaving parents out of the conversation when it comes to transgender students. While I understand that not every student has a good relationship with their parents or feels safe enough with them to talk to them about this issue, I think it's an unfair response to decide to leave all parents out.

Recently with the Ashlawn read across America day event (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-a-virginia-school-a-celebration-of-transgender-students-in-a-kindergarten-class/2019/03/03/10fc9f90-3b7e-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html?utm_term=.b635cbc71edb) I was most surprised to hear about it via Arlington Now and the Washington Post rather than from the school. While my kids aren't in the classrooms that are involved, it would be nice to know that some of their classmates are involved in school sanctioned conversations about the topic so I'm not surprised when they come home asking questions about something they heard from a friend.

It's also concerning to me that students will be the ones who make the final decision about being comfortable rooming with a transgender student. While I think it's good that staff take the kids opinions into consideration, I feel totally comfortable shouldering the blame if my child isn't comfortable with the situation but also doesn't want to say it outright. I think it puts parents and minor students in an awkward situation...

Lots of things to think about and consider. Most of the policies I don't have a huge problem with. I do worry about how necessary it is to start talking to specifically about the topic to kindergarteners without the express permission of parents though.

You sure spend a lot of time pondering your family's comfort.

Answering your children's questions as they grow and are exposed to others is a role you should be choosing without making excuses. Do you need a manual?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI - there is a lot more to this policy change than just sports.

https://arlingtonparentcoa.wixsite.com/arlingtonparentcoa/agia-policy-proposal-aps-working-do

I wasn't at the meeting that these notes were taken at but I do find many of the points concerning. It seems as though APS is planning on leaving parents out of the conversation when it comes to transgender students. While I understand that not every student has a good relationship with their parents or feels safe enough with them to talk to them about this issue, I think it's an unfair response to decide to leave all parents out.

Recently with the Ashlawn read across America day event (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/in-a-virginia-school-a-celebration-of-transgender-students-in-a-kindergarten-class/2019/03/03/10fc9f90-3b7e-11e9-a06c-3ec8ed509d15_story.html?utm_term=.b635cbc71edb) I was most surprised to hear about it via Arlington Now and the Washington Post rather than from the school. While my kids aren't in the classrooms that are involved, it would be nice to know that some of their classmates are involved in school sanctioned conversations about the topic so I'm not surprised when they come home asking questions about something they heard from a friend.

It's also concerning to me that students will be the ones who make the final decision about being comfortable rooming with a transgender student. While I think it's good that staff take the kids opinions into consideration, I feel totally comfortable shouldering the blame if my child isn't comfortable with the situation but also doesn't want to say it outright. I think it puts parents and minor students in an awkward situation...

Lots of things to think about and consider. Most of the policies I don't have a huge problem with. I do worry about how necessary it is to start talking to specifically about the topic to kindergarteners without the express permission of parents though.

From bad to worse.

[Anonymous]

You sure spend a lot of time pondering your family's comfort.

Answering your children's questions as they grow and are exposed to others is a role you should be choosing without making excuses. Do you need a manual?

There are certain topics that should not be discussed in school --especially with the very young.

I remember teaching first grade on a team with a --not so smart- colleague who was pregnant.
She told our team at a meeting one day that the kids had asked her how the baby was going to get out! She told them that the baby would come out where a girl goes to the bathroom.
The rest of us had our mouths dropped open......
There are some things better left to parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You sure spend a lot of time pondering your family's comfort.

Answering your children's questions as they grow and are exposed to others is a role you should be choosing without making excuses. Do you need a manual?

There are certain topics that should not be discussed in school --especially with the very young.

I remember teaching first grade on a team with a --not so smart- colleague who was pregnant.
She told our team at a meeting one day that the kids had asked her how the baby was going to get out! She told them that the baby would come out where a girl goes to the bathroom.
The rest of us had our mouths dropped open......
There are some things better left to parents.

Which "certain" topics should not be discussed with the very young?

[Anonymous]

If this is my same Ashlawn neighbor who posted this same anti-trans faux concern on NextDoor because you just want to hear what other parents think, I think you’re finding out how no one wants your anti-trans views around our kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You sure spend a lot of time pondering your family's comfort.

Answering your children's questions as they grow and are exposed to others is a role you should be choosing without making excuses. Do you need a manual?

There are certain topics that should not be discussed in school --especially with the very young.

I remember teaching first grade on a team with a --not so smart- colleague who was pregnant.
She told our team at a meeting one day that the kids had asked her how the baby was going to get out! She told them that the baby would come out where a girl goes to the bathroom.
The rest of us had our mouths dropped open......
There are some things better left to parents.

Which "certain" topics should not be discussed with the very young?

Very few. But, many topics--especially sexual ones---should be left to the parents.

I am sympathetic to the issues that transgenders face--but, this is a topic that could be easily mishandled. It should not be discussed in K unless there is a necessity (for example, a transgender child who is in transition). And, then it should be with the parents knowledge. Not a storybook which may or may not be correct.

This is a topic that is still in "transition." Psychiatrists and child development specialists do not all share the same point of view. It can easily be misinterpreted and mishandled. This should be left to parents and I think most would prefer that this not be presented in K unless there is a real need--and then with permission from parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this is my same Ashlawn neighbor who posted this same anti-trans faux concern on NextDoor because you just want to hear what other parents think, I think you’re finding out how no one wants your anti-trans views around our kids.

What thread have you read? Because I’m reading liberals saying, “ uh... no.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is my same Ashlawn neighbor who posted this same anti-trans faux concern on NextDoor because you just want to hear what other parents think, I think you’re finding out how no one wants your anti-trans views around our kids.

What thread have you read? Because I’m reading liberals saying, “ uh... no.”

I haven't read this thread too carefully--but I haven't seen any "anti-trans faux concern" on here.

All I have seen are sensible comments that:
1. People are concerned about losing gains in sports competition achieved through Title IX.
2. People think that K parents should be informed about presenting the topic in K--and, some suggest that the topic should not be presented in K.

Both of these opinions seem sensible concerns.

[Anonymous]

I’m fine with everything but the sports. APS administration is tripping over itself with a bit of virtue signaling, as usual, but I think normalizing and correcting trans issues/problems within the system is a good thing.

No to birth males participating in girls’/women’s sports.

[Anonymous]

IF teens haven't hit puberty or are taking hormones which suppress puberty in order to transition than aren't you not going to have the biological differences that folks are concerned about re: sports?

I don't think it is as simple as no XY females in women's sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You sure spend a lot of time pondering your family's comfort.

Answering your children's questions as they grow and are exposed to others is a role you should be choosing without making excuses. Do you need a manual?

There are certain topics that should not be discussed in school --especially with the very young.

I remember teaching first grade on a team with a --not so smart- colleague who was pregnant.
She told our team at a meeting one day that the kids had asked her how the baby was going to get out! She told them that the baby would come out where a girl goes to the bathroom.
The rest of us had our mouths dropped open......
There are some things better left to parents.

Which "certain" topics should not be discussed with the very young?

It's not the topic, per se. Schools should give parents a heads up if they're going to start introducing sexuality to 7 year olds. It's not that the topic is "off limits" its that parents deserve the opportunity to talk to their kids about it first or at least know to be part of the conversation. Jesus.