Author: mdjh

Gender Identity Updates to PowerSchool

A memo from the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District

All members of our school communities within the NLESD have the right to a safe, inclusive, socially-just education, regardless of gender, race, economic status, sexuality, national or ethnic
origin, age, ability, or other life factors. This is a tenant of the Department of Education’s Safe and Caring Schools policy, specifically Procedure 7, and grounded in the Human Rights Act. The District and the Department of Education strive to ensure that this is the environment provided for each and every one of our students – no matter how they identify.

As we continue to refine our practices and protocols to better serve all students, we are excited to share that we have expanded how we record gender for students in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Gender identifiers in PowerSchool now include:

  • F (female/girl/woman)
  • M (male/boy/man)
  • X (non-binary person or another gender identity)
  • NS (not specified/prefer not to say)

Offering space for a student to communicate and express their gender identity in a positive manner and have their pronouns respected creates safer, healthier, and more inclusive classes,
schools, and communities.

Using someone’s correct name and respecting their gender identity and pronouns demonstrates respect for their unique identity and signals that the person matters to you.

Who can make the request to change gender in PowerSchool?

  • Students, and/or their parent(s)/guardian(s), can request to have their identified gender changed in PowerSchool without having to legally change their gender with Vital Statistics. This request can be made during the school registration process for Kindergarten to Grade 12, or at any time throughout the school year.
  • This request can be made verbally or in writing to school administration. Parental/guardian consent will be requested for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6. From grades 7 to 12, if the student has the capacity to consent, parental/guardian consent is not required.

In addition, here are some resources that might be helpful as we continue to learn and work together to better support our children and youth:

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school administrator or guidance counsellor if you are looking to support your child with a Gender Identity Change in PowerSchool.

Weekend Sports Update

Congratulations to the grade 7A girls basketball team! They had a great weekend hosting and winning the provincial championship. It was a high intense and competitive final game against St. Paul’s with a final score of 72-71 after overtime.

Congratulations to the boys baseball team, who won the School Classic Junior High Tournament this past weekend. The boys went through the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record, giving up only 4 runs, including Sunday’s Championship Game against Mount Pearl Intermediate, which they won 6-2!

Congratulations to the Ultimate Frisbee Team who participated in their Provincial Tournament this weekend. The students had a great time and came together as a team to win two games on Saturday afternoon. Special shout outs to Sadie G. and Finlay M. who took home multiple MVP awards!

Way to go, Grizzlies!

MDJH Now A WishMaker School

Today we held a school-wide assembly to mark a special occasion – MDJH is now a WishMaker school! We are the first school in the province to achieve this distinction. Through donations from students and the community, MDJH was able to grant a Wish from 2017.

On hand to mark this event were representatives from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a past Wish recipient who spoke on the effect that a Wish can have on a recipient and their family.

Special thanks go out to Ms. Stacey for spearheading this effort, and to the staff and students over the years who have made this possible!

Upcoming Important Dates

May 25 – Grade 9 Carnival (6:30 – 9:00 pm)

May 29 – Professional Development Day (no classes for students)

May 31 – Professional Development Day (no classes for students)

June 13 – Spring Concert (7:00 pm in the school gymnasium)

June 22 – Last Day for Students

Free Summer Fitness

Looking to try out a gym this summer? Planet Fitness is giving away free summer memberships for teens from ages 14 – 19 (with parental permission). Click on the image below to go to their website and find out more information.

Celebrating Student Success – Avalon Attitude & Sea-Hawks Red

Congratulations go out to the MDJH members of the Avalon Attitude Volleyball Club:

  • Molly C.
  • Allie P.
  • Maddie D.
  • Carlie W.
  • Maria S.

Their team took home Silver in the U14 Girls Tier 1 at the National Volleyball tournament held in Halifax in mid-May.

Congratulations also go out to the MDJH members of the Sea-Hawks Red Volleyball team:

  • Ciara B.
  • Allison D.
  • Katie F.
  • Brooklyn L.

Their team also took home Silver in the U14 Girls Tier 2 at the same volleyball tournament.

Way to go, Grizzlies!