Westerly Public Schools

“Generally, notification to a student's parent(s)/guardian(s) about their gender identity, expression, or transition is unnecessary, as they are already aware and supportive. However, some transgender students do not want their parents to know about their transgender status. These situations must be addressed on a case-by-case basis and require schools to balance the goal of supporting the student with the desire that parents be kept informed about their children.”

Westerly Public Schools · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-23

The guidance for secondary students in Westerly Public Schools' 2017 transgender policy addresses parental notification about student gender identity.

“In these circumstances, school administration should ask the superintendent for direction on how to proceed. If the administration determines that notifying the family carries risks for the student, it should work closely with the student to assess the degree to which, if any, the family will be involved in the process and must consider the age, health, well-being and safety of the student.”

Westerly Public Schools · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-23

The guidance for secondary students in Westerly Public Schools' 2017 transgender policy outlines procedures when notifying a family may carry risks for the student.

“a person's deeply held sense or psychological knowledge of their own gender. One's gender identity can be the same or different than the gender assigned at birth. Most people have a gender identity that matches their assigned gender at birth. For some, however, their gender identity is different from their assigned gender.”

Westerly Public Schools · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-23

The definition of Gender Identity appears in Westerly Public Schools' transgender student policy adopted in 2017.