Oakland elementary school explores gender norms, teaches acceptance | The Education Report

Oakland elementary school explores gender norms, teaches acceptance | The Education Report

Oakland elementary school explores gender norms, teaches acceptance

By Katy Murphy
Monday, May 23rd, 2011 at 7:15 pm in elementary schools, families, initiatives,parents, students.

Redwood Heights Elementary School in Oakland is teaching kids this week that boys and girls don’t all fit into neat gender norms, and that they shouldn’t laugh at or tease someone if they do (or wear) something different or unusual.

Two parent leaders whom I interviewed for a story about the issue said they knew of no controversy about the training — until today.

A few weeks ago, Redwood Heights invited parents to a staff training by Gender Spectrum and held an information session afterward, said Michelle Hatchell, the