March 2022: Shout Outs!
A monthly update on GSAs and the PSUSD LGBTQ Alliance
Dear School Leaders and GSA Advisers,
Let's stay connected! All across our district there are school leaders, staff members, students, and community members doing great work to make PSUSD a welcoming and safe place for all.
We are stronger when we work together! This newsletter is a place to share our successes, promote upcoming events, and celebrate our LGBTQ students, staff, and families.
Thanks for all that you do,
🌈PSUSD LGBTQ Alliance
Out and About Across the District!
If you would like your school featured in next month's newsletter, send updates and pictures to Annie Axsom at aaxsom@psusd.us!
Raymond Cree Middle School
Painted Hills Middle School
- teachers across the campus have rainbow stickers on their whiteboards representing safe spaces!
- their main headquarters is decorated with LGBTQ+ flags and quotes about being true to yourself
- their club participated in the Desert AIDS Walk in October and they are looking forward to the upcoming Harvey Milk breakfast
- they have recently applied for a grant and hope to use that money for a fieldtrip where kids can continue to learn about the history of the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement.
Keep up the amazing work, Painted Hills!
What's the PSUSD LGBTQ Alliance Up To?
Our Vision Statement
Our purpose is to empower and affirm the LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families of PSUSD by combating systemic inequities in our policies and curricula.
We will develop policy, implement professional development and training, and increase student, parent, and community engagement.
2020 - 2021 Successes!
The PSUSD LGBTQ Alliance has advocated for and secured:
- Mandatory trainings for all district staff: all district staff are now required to complete an annual training on Keenan Safe Schools entitled Making Schools Safe and Inclusive for LGBTQ Students.
- Gender Support Plans for gender-fluid, transgender, and non-binary youth: school sites now have staff members trained in the use of these forms.
- More inclusive coding on Synergy: Synergy now includes a column to account for non-binary youth on rosters.
- Inclusive literature: thanks to a generous donation by GenderNation, all elementary school libraries in PSUSD now have a variety books featuring LGBTQ characters on their shelves.
- Visibility: The LGBTQ Alliance has produced and distributed posters and t-shirts advocating welcoming and inclusive schools. Members of the LGBTQ Alliance also marched with GSAs, students, and families in the 2020 Palm Springs Pride Parade.
More to come!
- GSA Clubs at every school site
- Inclusive and welcoming posters in every front office and administrative building
- Further staff training on creating safe spaces and understanding legal obligations as they pertain to LGBTQ students
- Increased community engagement and collaboration
- An LGBTQ+ affirming school board resolution