In St. Vrain Valley Schools, our unwavering commitment lies in prioritizing the safety and well-being of all students. Fostering the development of a child into a healthy and productive young adult is a very complex and multifaceted endeavor. To ensure that we are creating an environment that will best serve our students, we partner very closely with families to understand and meet the needs of every child. Working collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, coaches, and child development experts, we serve our community by providing a positive, enriching environment that will help every student reach their highest academic potential.

St. Vrain Anti-Discrimination Policies

• Board Policy AC: Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity
  Specific Text – “No otherwise qualified student, employee, applicant for employment or member of the public shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination under any district program or activity on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender (which includes marital status and pregnancy), sexual orientation (which includes transgender and gender identity), disability or need for special education services.”
• Board Policy GBA: Open Hiring/Equal Employment Opportunity
  Specific Text – “Therefore, the district shall promote and provide for equal opportunity in recruitment, selection, promotion and dismissal of all personnel. Commitment on the part of the district towards equal employment opportunity shall apply to all people without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation (which includes transgender), religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, marital status, or conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, or disability.”
• Board of Education Policy JB: Equal Educational Opportunities
  Specific Text – “Every student of this school district shall have equal educational opportunities throughprograms offered in the school district regardless of race, color, ancestry, creed, sex, sexual orientation (which includes transgender), religion, national origin, marital status, disability or need for special education services.”

St. Vrain Transgender/Gender Nonconforming Guidelines

All SVVSD schools use the Guidance for Educators Working with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students document from One Colorado as guidelines for transgender and gender nonconforming students. Details:

• The Colorado Civil Rights Commission rules (also Division of Regulatory Agencies “DORA” Rules) define the scope of statute SB08-200 as affording protections to individuals based on the following:
  • Transgender means those individuals “having a gender identity or gender expression that differs from societal expectations based on gender assigned at birth.”
  • Gender identity means an individual’s “innate sense of one’s own gender,” a deeply held sense or psychological knowledge of one’s own gender, regardless of the gender assigned at birth.
  • Gender expression means “external appearance, characteristics, or behaviors typically associated with a specific gender.” Gender expression is the way we communicate our gender identity to others. Gender nonconforming describes people whose gender expression differs from stereotypical expectations, such as “feminine” boys, “masculine” girls, and those who are perceived as androgynous.
• Discusses the following topics
  • Policies on Nondiscrimination, Bullying and Harassment
  • Process
  • Restrooms and Locker Rooms
  • Privacy at School
  • Official Records
  • Working with Families
  • Names and Pronouns
  • Dress Code
  • Athletics
  • Public Charter Schools

St. Vrain has also developed a Gender Identification Guiding Document to support school administration and staff in ensuring support and success for all students.

The Equity Office in the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) is committed to creating and sustaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or socioeconomic status. The office provides a variety of services and resources to support students and staff, including:

• Professional development and training: The Equity Office provides professional development and training on a variety of topics related to equity, including diversity, inclusion, unconscious bias, and cultural competency.
• Curriculum development and review: The Equity Office works with teachers and administrators to ensure that the curriculum is inclusive of all students and that it does not promote stereotypes or discrimination.
• Student support: The Equity Office provides support to students who are experiencing discrimination or harassment. This support includes individual counseling, group support, and mediation.
• Parent and community education: The Equity Office provides education and outreach to parents and the community on equity issues.

Local LGBTQIA+ Resources for Parents 

• Out Boulder County – provides services, programs, and support to Boulder County’s LGBTQ+ communities, reaching over 15,000 people each year. 
• Human Rights Campaign – Envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.