Starting next week, Lawrence nonprofit Rainbow Kids & Families will share pride resources to boost inclusion education in elementary schools.
RKF formed after “a local elementary age student was discouraged from sharing info about his gender identity with his peers at school,” according to a release from the group. “This came after previous anxiety provoking, stressful issues related to misgendering, deadnaming, and binary practices.”
Some policies and practices put students at serious risk, and training on LGBTQIA+ support was inconsistent from school to school, the release said. So RFK seeks to ensure that all regional elementary schools are safe, healthy and inclusive spaces for all kids, families and staff.
Beginning Monday, RKF will send out a letter to area teachers and encourage folks to visit their website at rainbowkidsandfamilies.org, where they can sign up for RKF Pride Pack resources:
- Educational film and checklist outlining healthy, inclusive and safe school features, which RKF says are intersectional and can apply across grade levels;
- Student and family pride packs, including informative storybooks for RKF elementary kids and families (plus free T-shirts for RKF kids);
- Elementary Educator Champions: RKF is seeking champions at each school who will share the inclusive curriculum with other teachers, and have access to additional resources for staff and students;
- and RKF adult T-shirts for sale, which will help raise funds for book purchases.
Learn more at rainbowkidsandfamilies.org, and check out the merchandise here.
