A Response from RISE Leadership
to the adoption of the "Model Policy” by the newly elected Rockingham County School Board
As many of us are already aware, on Monday night the newly-elected Rockingham County School Board passed Governor Youngkin’s model policy on Ensuring Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for all Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools. We believe this policy does anything but ensure its stated objective. Among other things, the adoption of this policy requires that a parent/guardian provide explicit permission for their child to be identified by any name other than his/her legal/given name (or a name that is commonly associated with the legal name), mandates that RCPS staff exclusively refer to each student using only the gendered pronouns appropriate to the sex appearing in the student’s official record, and orders the removal of an extensive list of books (currently 57 and counting) from all school libraries and classrooms.
Along with many of you, our thoughts and emotions have been running high in light of this news. While none of this was a surprise given the campaign rhetoric and promises preceding the election of this Board, the gravity of this moment – as words spoken on the campaign trail become lived reality in the hallways and classrooms of our schools – brings us deep sadness, frustration, and anger.
We are just now beginning to understand what these new policies will truly mean for the students and educators in our community. In the days, weeks, and months to come, we will surely learn more and will begin to find real and tangible ways to support, advocate, and strategize for and with them. In the meantime we want to make a few things clear:
The RISE community extends our unequivocal support for God’s beloved LGBTQ+ children who attend Rockingham County Public Schools. We condemn the recent policies adopted by the RCPS School Board, and we grieve the many lives that will be directly harmed by these decisions.
We are heartbroken that the lives of some of the most vulnerable and marginalized students in our communities are being treated as pawns by our political leaders.
We are concerned that the mandated implementation of these policies - especially in the middle of the school year - will become an albatross around the neck of our already overtaxed educators.
We believe that most, if not all, of the teachers, staff, and administrators in RCPS genuinely want the best for the students in their care, and will make every effort to do right by them. Some may be willing to take great personal and professional risks for the sake of their students. Some may need to learn more about why these policies are harmful. All have the potential to have an impact on the lives of the students in their care.
Finally, if you or a loved one need support or care, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via direct message, e-mail, or in person.
To our LGBTQ+ siblings and allies, remember YOU ARE A GIFT!