By Taura Kilroy| The Intelligencer

Last year, the Central Bucks School District offered the following Growth & Development lesson options: girls lesson, boys lesson, private viewing of materials or opt out.

When a transgender or non-binary student asked if they could attend the single-sex lesson of their choosing, they were told that they must learn the lesson that coincides with their physical form and not their gender identity.

This, at its core, isnt necessarily wrong. It is very important to not skip the content that pertains to ones personal organs. There is a strong case to be made that our LGBTQ+ population of students would benefit from receiving both lesson contents. But it is a sensitive topic and needs to be handled with sensitivity. The district needs to take a closer look at its policy and offerings. The way we approach this lesson needs an update to fit our ever-changing student body population.

I believe that our children should be given the option to choose the safest and most comfortable learning environment for their personal needs. What we need to do is ensure that there are enough options to accomplish the learning objective and also respect each choice.

So if a female-born student says they prefer a girls-only lesson, we need to respect that and give them a lesson with only students with the same physiology. Now if one of those students is born female and identifies as a male and this is common knowledge, they belong there. They are 100% welcome and included. And I will go far out of my way to make it known that we accept them and they deserve to be here just as much as the other female organ students in the room. The way I approach this encourages acceptance of differences.

So let's look at a more reasonable list of offerings. I would suggest:

Coed viewing of the educational video and then break-out groups for Q&A. For the breakout groups offer a coed option with one male and one female instructor, plus female only and male only options.

Private viewing of the video followed by a Q&A with a safe adult.

An opt-out option with a parent's signature that clearly states that the parent is expected to cover the topic in some form. This form would include checkboxes with reasoning for opting out and their intended method of delivery of information.

For the opt-out version, I suggest parents can check two different boxes.

1.) They can handle this topic privately at home and use a packet provided by the school as an educational guide. I would consider a follow-up call to check in and ask how it went. Ask if there was anything that they felt they didnt know how to answer that you could offer assistance with. This shows that you care and that you are holding them to their promise. It is protecting the childs right to information and promoting an encouraging environment.

2.) They can speak with a medical professional to better address specific physical needs. This option is not just reasonable for trans students but also for disabled students, students with other 504 MDE needs, or students with underlying health issues that none of us is aware of in their private life. Recognizing that some cases are very specific and may be better handled outside of the school with a professional specialist is also important.

The form should be set up with a space for the student to select their preferred lesson style first and then sent home for the parent to view and discuss which option the parent would prefer. They can change their choice at home but I believe the child's choice should be selected first so that they feel heard. The parent then signs off and returns the permission slip.

These options cover a wider variety of individual needs. The companies that produce these educational materials provide three versions of the material. They always produce both single-sex videos and a coed video of age appropriate material.

By ensuring that all students view the coed video we are sure they are all getting the same basic content. Allowing the students to choose their peer group for the Q&A is protecting their rights to privacy and providing them with options for a safe and caring environment that fits their needs.

I think these offerings protect our students' right to privacy and create a more conducive environment for learning, acceptance, sensitivity, and safety.

Taura Kilroy lives in Chalfont and is the mother of two elementary school students in the Central Bucks School District. She also 12 years experience as an Elementary Health & PE Teacher in Great Valley School District in Delaware County.

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Op-Ed: Central Bucks should rethink Growth & Development lesson format - The Intelligencer