SAN JOSE, CA – The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) celebrated champions advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusivity in Santa Clara County at its LGBTQ+ History Month Showcase.
“All youth have the right to feel safe, welcomed, included and that they belong on a school campus,” said Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools. “When we share the diversity of our greater community’s history and experiences, we help all young people achieve acceptance and visibility.”
Five school districts were recognized for their LGBTQ+ Equitable Practices and presented a certificate: Campbell Union High School District, Fremont Union High School District, Metropolitan Education District, Mountain View Whisman School District, and Santa Clara Unified School District. Commendations from Assemblymembers Marc Berman, Ash Kalra and Evan Low were presented to the districts.
As part of the showcase, educational and community resources were made available to educators. Among the resources was the release of two guidebooks from the SCCOE: the
LGBTQ+ Teaching Guide and the
LGBTQ+ District and School Policy Guide. These guides are a tool for educators to support students through best practices and understanding of policies and legislation.
To kick off the showcase on October 6, the Progress Flag was raised at the South County Annex with the support of Ken Yeager, former Santa Clara County Supervisor. Representatives from the county’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Sera Fernando and Crystal Haney, joined the showcase, providing remarks and resources for making welcoming and inclusive spaces in learning environments.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. The SCCOE is a premier service organization driven by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and partnership. For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.