Week 4: Assignment A- RI Laws/Policies and Woke Read Alouds: They, She, He Easy as ABC

The Guidance for Rhode Island Schools on Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students is not a new document to me.  Since I have transitioned into the role of school nurse I have had to spend countless hours reviewing RIGLs as they pertain to the school setting. What I like about this document is that the language is plain and within the body of some paragraphs the document refers back the federal laws which provide protection. Protection of the freedom of speech, protection against discrimination and violence, and protection of medical information ,and also, protection of a students' confidential information, to include keeping transgender status private. Prior to reading the guidance in real-time at school, I was not aware that gender identification could be kept confidential from parents or guardians. I'm glad the guidelines were an assigned reading, giving me the opportunity to read them fully.  My comments below address both the guidelines and the Woke Read Alouds video.

As a school nurse, when treating a student we refere to the student by legal name in the student data base and the student is catalogued in our medical data base by their legal name. During the first month as a school nurse I had a teacher rush into the health office with a student as she was shouting " I have a kid with an allergic reaction!!" The teacher was referring to the student as "Ted so and so". I immediately assessed the student who was having a mild allergic reaction, I went to the electronic medical data base and there was NO Ted so and so listed,  but there was WAS a Bridget so and so who had an allergy to certain substances. I quickly realized that the student was transgender and refers to themself  as "Ted". I used date of birth and legal name to identify the student. I treated the non life-threatening allergy and was then able to sit with the student when they were feeling better. I remember reading the guidance and vaguely remember a statement about confidentiality and not being required to reveal transgender status to parents if the student chooses not to. I took the opportunity to ask the student how they would like me to refer to them when I called home to give an update on the allergic reaction and treatment.  The student relayed to me that their parents are not on board with their transgender status and actually get mad and dismiss the student.  I feel like because I had some knowledge about the guidelines I was able to communicate with the parents in a why that kept the student feeling safe.  I did not have such a positive experience when in the height of COVID-19 I was managing at minimum of two-three dozen cases of exposure a day and was on the phone for hours notifying parents of an exposure....I was on the phone with one mom about her daughter, mom kept saying "they" this and "they "that...I could not understand what she was talking about because she only had one student attending my school. I final said (in a frustrated tone) "who are THEY, I am calling you about your daughter and trying to discuss contact tracing for only her!!! Mom laughed and said pronouns of choice are they and them....oh gosh did I look stupid!! So even me, the nurse in the building is still learning! That situation comes to mind often at work. I wish I had a video like the one assigned this week to get my wheels turning and to be more aware.  After I watched the video I continued to watch more and have included a link to another well done video that explains pronouns. Enjoy!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3Fh60GEB5E