Welcoming Schools Guide
The Welcoming Schools Guide is a new, comprehensive guide for administrators, educators, parents and guardians who want to strengthen their schools' approach to family diversity, gender stereotyping and bullying. It is specifically designed for use in K-5 learning environments and is inclusive of LGBT families and individuals in the broader context of diversity.
The Welcoming Schools Guide is based on research that shows links between academic achievement, mental well-being and an inclusive school climate. It is currently being evaluated in 12 schools in three different states.
- An Introduction to Welcoming Schools
A primer version of the comprehensive Guide, An Introduction to Welcoming Schools includes an overview of Welcoming Schools and resources such as sample lesson plans and LGBT-inclusive bibliographies for children and adults. - Welcoming Schools: Additional Resources
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What’s Inside the Guide?
- Why This Guide: Get the facts on families, bullying and anti-gay name-calling.
- Creating a Caring School Community: What administrators, educators, parents and guardians can do.
- Teachable Moments: Answering student questions, definitions and research on child development.
- Family Education: Get great ideas for family forums and parental involvement.
- Connecting with Colleagues: Generating conversations with educators.
- Lesson Plans for K-5: More than 25 lessons about family diversity, gender roles, and name-calling and bullying.
- Bibliographies and Resources: A review of laws, policies and alignment with national standards.
E-mail the HRC Family Project at welcomingschools@hrc.org with any questions about Welcoming Schools.
