The Hanover School Division has released a statement in response to a parent's concerns in regards to allowing discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms.

Hanover School Division Board chair Ron Falk says the board discussed and reviewed various policies including their Respect For Human Diversity Policy to make sure it was clear and fair. Falk notes the board also looked through the curriculum and found it coincides with the Manitoba Provincial Physical Education/Health Curriculum.

Board Chair Ron Falk"The short answer is that we didn't change anything," notes Falk. "We are an open and welcoming division and we talk about diversity; there is diversity and that's all part of our Respect For Human Diversity Policy. As far as the learning outcomes, we wanted to make sure that we were focused on what the learning outcomes were asking us to do, and I think we're good there. The presenter wanted us to go, I would suggest, a fair bit past what the learning outcomes are asking us to do, or to talk about, or to instruct. Quite frankly, that's not part of the mandate of the curriculum. The curriculum is quite clear and we're open in the curriculum as well."

Falk notes if students have questions they are free to ask the teachers who can address those specific inquiries adding the curriculum clearly indicates the learning outcomes and, as a board, they are fine with where they stand as a division.

On the other hand Falk says, "some parents might feel the curriculum right now is even going too far. For those parents, they're certainly welcome to review the curriculum, it's open for any parent to take a look at. After reviewing it, if they're still not happy with it, they can certainly have their children opt out and that's a real option."

Although an option, Falk says almost no one chooses to opt their child out of physical education/health because he notes the division has a solid curriculum with solid outcomes and presentations.

"To re-iterate; we value every student, every person, every parent," adds Falk. "We have an open and welcoming school division and, as far as bullying goes, there's just no excuse for bullying, in whatever form it takes and it doesn't matter who it's directed to. If there's a bullying situation, it needs to be addressed. We're a welcoming and open division and we want to be that for everyone."

A full review of the division's statement can be viewed HERE.

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