On Wednesday, January 13, David Eggen, Alberta Education Minister, released new school guidelines for best practices to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community.

The province has mandated that all Alberta school boards must amend and update current school guidelines, and the changes must be in place by March 31, 2016.

The 21 page document outlines a students right to self-identify their gender and be addressed by the name and pronoun of their choice.

With some individuals not being comfortable with the use of 'he' or 'she' pronouns, alternate pronouns, such as 'ze,' 'zir,' 'hir,' 'they' or 'them' are other ways individuals may choose to express themselves.

There are 12 best practices outlined in the new guidelines, each designed with inclusion and support of students and staff at the core.

One of the guidelines listed, is providing safe access to washroom and change room facilities, allowing students to use the washroom and change room facilities of the gender they identify with.

Schools are also advised to provide at least one single stall washroom that is non gender specific, allowing any student to have more privacy, regardless of the reason.

Rocky View Schools already has a respectful learning and working environment policy in place, which Don Hoium, Superintendent of Schools said includes accommodating LGBTQ washroom and change area needs. 

"If there is a need for a transgender washroom change area we are already accommodating that, so we will continue to do that when it is required."

Another area the guideline focuses on is establishing gay-straight alliances when requested by the students.

Hoium said a number of the High schools in the district are already supporting gay-straight alliances and will continue to do so. 

In an effort to help staff with the changes, Hoium says more training will be offered.

"We will continue to plan for professional learning for our staff, building on what is already in place, a lot of our other social, emotional learning professional activities that we already do."

RVS is still reviewing the full document, but if more support is required Hoium said they will look at making changes.

"There are aspects of it which we will look at to see if we can heighten our support for all students, including those with diverse sexual orientation."

Leah Crawford - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com