Back to School Guide:

TENT Back to School Guide:

As we head into the ‘21-’22 school year, nearly everyone is feeling mixed emotions sending their kiddos back to online and in-person schooling. Aside from the ongoing pandemic, trans students and their families are facing their own unique sets of challenges and fears while preparing to re-enter school. 

With TENT’s 2021-2022 Back To School Guide, we hope to address concerns, fight misinformation, and make sure every trans student, their affirming families, and their affirming teachers feel prepared to make the most out of the upcoming school year without fearing how their identities will impact their academic lives. Our guide contains a variety of resources to inform students, teachers, and families about transgender rights in school and how current legislation and policies in the state of Texas impact them. 

We also aim to make it easier for guardians, teachers, and families to create effective support systems for transgender students to ensure trans kids don’t have to shoulder the burden of supporting themselves alone. Together, we can work to make schools a supportive place of learning and affirmation for trans students instead of a place of harassment and fear trans kids feel they need to survive. Just having one or two affirming faculty members at a school can make a world of difference for a student, which is why these resources are vital to our community. We hope these resources will provide trans students with at least a small sense of security and a reminder that there are so many people out there tirelessly fighting for them.

*Unless stated otherwise, these resources were all created for the ‘21-’22 School year*

General:
Pronouns 101 v1 - How to Guide to pronouns and etiquette with room to practice your own pronouns!

Pronouns 101 v2 - How to Guide to pronouns and etiquette handout you can fold hotdog style!
UIL Breakdown - What is Texas’ UIL rule and how does it impact transgender athletes? 

TENT “How to be a Trans Ally" Resources Sheet - List of useful links that can be used at work, school, or even at home.

Students & Parents:
Students: Know Your Rights - Instagram slide deck on the rights of trans students.
Back-to-School Resources for Trans Youth (3 pager) - Consolidated resource doc: How parents/guardians can make a “Safe Folder,” for their trans youth, Students’ rights at school, and Establishing GSAs in schools.

Gender Spectrum Gender Support Plan - A thorough check-list to see how your child is being supported at school or during their transition. 

Teachers: 

Teachers: Know your rights - A know your rights guide around Title IX, rosters, dress-code, and name changes.  

Teacher’s Safe Space - A short guide on how to make your classroom a safe and affirming space for trans youth