Miraloma Families,
As you probably know by now, our conversion to gender neutral bathrooms has caught the attention of some media outlets. As of today, I have been interviewed by KQED, KCBS, SF Examiner, Sing Tao Daily, The SF Chronicle, ABC7News, and NBC's The Today Show. While this media attention can seem a bit stressful or worrisome, I assure you 1000% that the safety, privacy, and confidentiality of our students is #1 priority. No students' faces have been shown/recorded/photographed without full discussion with the parent/guardian first. The SFUSD Communications department has been with us every step of the way, ensuring that we feel protected from any unwanted media attention. SFUSD has several security procedures/precautions in place when things like this hit the media.
With the positive message being sent to the country regarding our wonderful school, I want to be sure that you (our Miraloma community) are clear on our message and why we are doing this.
1. Currently, the only students who have gender neutral bathrooms this school year are our Kindergarteners (district standard) and our 1st graders. Please remember as you are discussing this shift that this is NOT forcing boys and girls to use the same bathroom at the same time. We are fortunate with our construction that each classroom in Kinder-3rd grade can and will be configured as single-use bathrooms (just like at a restaurant, Starbucks, your house, etc.) The single-use message has gotten a bit lost in some of the media and as you are willing, you can continue the message about single-use bathrooms in K-3rd.
2. When people ask about 4th and 5th grade: they are using gender-specific restrooms with an OPTION to use a gender neutral bathroom upstairs this year. Moving forward, we will continue the conversation in our community about what is appropriate and inclusive once this year's 1st graders become 4th graders.
3. Your student(s) is protected, safe, and part of a school community that values inclusivity, equality, and leading the way for the rest of the country!
The story just aired on ABC7News and will air again on the 5:00 news, same channel. The Today Show will run their segment tomorrow morning (Friday) between 7am-8am. They said most likely 7:35am (but we all know that could change).
The reason we are doing this as a community is simple: All students should feel safe and comfortable when it comes to basic human needs. Separate but equal is not equal. Making a simple shift from saying a classroom has a boys' restroom and a girls' restroom attached to it to instead saying it has 1-2 single-use restrooms for all genders to use then creates a school where all students feel safe and comfortable without forcing our students on the gender spectrum to conform in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.
A special thank you to Emily Matthews, Jae Foy, Gedalia Braverman, Sarah Mattison-Earls, and Ellen Schatz for all agreeing to interview with one or more of these organizations. Also, a special shout out to Ms. Huang (Rm 109) for allowing us to photograph backs of heads and the feet of some students, along with her physical classroom for The Today Show.
Miraloma is leading the way as it always does. I'm the most fortunate principal on the planet that I get to work with and for all of you!
