Ontario's Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) directed teachers to use inclusive language when talking to students about menstruation. .“Today’s mass staff mailing at @TVDSB contains info about non-binary inclusive strategies for promoting menstrual equity in a culturally inclusive way that respects everyone’s heritage,” said Quillette associate editor Jonathan Kay in a Wednesday tweet. .“Not quite English.”.The TVDSB said many people who menstruate do not identify as female. .“It is important to de-gender conversations about menstruation and avoid using language such as girl(s)/women/she and instead use inclusive language such as they/them/students/individuals,” it said. .The email said staff are reminded to use a culturally-responsive approach when discussing identity and menstruation with students. It said not all students and communities treat menstruation the same way. .The TVDSB said it is important “to create a learning environment that is respectful and that makes students feel safe and comfortable not only physically, socially, and emotionally but also in terms of their cultural heritage.” .“A culturally safe learning environment is one in which students feel comfortable about expressing their ideas, opinions, and needs and about responding authentically to topics that may be culturally sensitive,” it said. .It was revealed in July TVDSB established a a policy prohibiting parents from finding out if their children identify as a different gender at school. .READ MORE: Ontario school board restricts parents from knowing about students’ gender identity.“@TVDSB, who are responsible for the education of over 80k students, have guidelines that says school staff should never disclose a student's gender identity or trans status to a parent/guardian,” said Libs of TikTok. .The policy said staff should not disclose a student’s transgender or gender diverse identity to people who have not been granted access to his or her records without consent.
