Parents Concerned Over Ontario School Board’s ‘Intrusive’ Survey on Students’ Sexual Orientation and Gender

Parents Raise Concerns About Ontario School Board’s Invasive Survey on Students’ Sexual Orientation and Gender

April 6, 2024 TruthUSA

Parents in the Thames Valley District are raising concerns about a student survey they believe is intrusive and lacks transparency.

The Concerned Parents Association of London and Area (CPAL) is worried about the Everyone Belongs Student Survey, designed for students in Grades 7 to 12, which includes queries about sexual orientation and gender identity.

“The survey includes questions about personal identities, such as sexual orientation and gender identity, which many feel are inappropriate for educational institutions to ask students,” CPAL said in an April 5 Substack post.

Questions on a copy of the survey released by the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) delve into topics ranging from racism and religion, to gender and sexuality. The survey also links to an Ontario government website that defines various gender identities.

This isn’t the first time the district has administered the survey, as students were initially asked to participate during the 2020-21 school year, according to the school board website.

For students in Grades 6 and below, parents are invited to respond to survey questions about their child’s identity, as stated on the website.

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“TVDSB uses this information to make crucial decisions to ensure programs, practices, and policies align with students’ identities,” the board notes. “District and school teams will utilize these results to shape plans that promote student achievement and well-being.”

All public school boards in the province are mandated to collect “identity data,” according to the board.

Efforts to reach the board for comment before publication went unanswered.

CPAL expresses apprehension that schools are focusing more on ideology rather than academics.

“As parents, we believe schools should primarily prioritize academic success,” CPAL shared on Substack. “Including such sensitive inquiries not only crosses boundaries, but also risks emphasizing divisive ideologies over our children’s educational needs.”

Parents are also dismayed by the lack of communication from administrators regarding the surveys.

“Parents have a fundamental right to be informed about activities involving their children, yet the board’s failure to inform parents about these surveys shows a lack of consideration for parental involvement and transparency,” CPAL stated.

The group also highlights that survey responses are linked to student identification numbers, raising privacy concerns.

A notice from the school board explains, “The survey is connected to the student ID number to analyze the outcomes and achievements of students with diverse identities.”

CPAL urges parents to contact school boards and Education Minister Stephen Lecce to indicate their children will not be participating in the survey.

“Safeguarding our children’s well-being and educational rights is our responsibility,” CPAL emphasized. “By raising awareness and opposing initiatives that prioritize divisive ideologies over academic success, we can advocate for a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.”

Previous conflicts between parents and the school district on gender and sexuality matters have arisen.

During gay pride-related events in 2023, numerous TVDSB students were absent, including 400 students at a London elementary school, according to the London Free Press. Many of the absent students are believed to be from Muslim families.

Hiding Gender Transition From Parents

The Epoch Times reported previously that the school board still permits teachers to conceal students’ gender transitions from parents, despite the education minister’s directive for parental involvement.

“Parents must be fully involved and informed about their children’s lives. There are often health implications,” Mr. Lecce stated at an August 28, 2023, press conference. He was responding to a question on whether Ontario would consider laws akin to those in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, which mandate parents be notified if their children wish to alter their gender pronouns at school.

Premier Doug Ford has echoed Mr. Lecee’s stance.

“Parents’ rights are paramount—the right for parents to listen and stay informed when their children make decisions,” Mr. Ford said on September 8, 2023. “It’s not up to teachers or the school board to indoctrinate our kids.”

Documents obtained by The Epoch Times show that the Thames Valley District board has advised caution regarding names used on internal digital platforms, such as the MyName System. Teachers were instructed not to use names from the MyName system in the Student Information System (SIS) to prevent parents from seeing if different names and pronouns are used in school.

A memo from the board states, “Students may request a MyName change for various reasons, commonly due to students not ‘coming out’ to parents and not being prepared to add a Preferred Name to the SIS.”

Board documents affirm that students of any age and grade have the right to express their preferred pronouns and names and “should also have the option for a separate form with the name they wish to share with parents.”

“There is no age limitation for requesting an accommodation,” the board asserts. “All students (elementary and secondary) are entitled to an accommodation with or without parental knowledge or consent.”

Tara MacIsaac and Neil Sharma contributed to this report.

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