On Wednesday, May 8th, upper elementary students will be able to attend “all ages” GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) meetings. These beginning in May will continue in next school year. The “all ages” meetings focus on creating community and sharing developmentally appropriate topics around identity and LGBTQ history. These meetings are attended by school social workers and facilitated to build positive relationships between students across ages.

All upper elementary students are welcome to participate if they’d like, they do not need to identify as LGBTQ to attend. Students will step out of a half hour of either their lunch or recess to attend, and adults will coordinate to make sure every child gets enough time to eat lunch!

Why this is important: we know that meeting older students of diverse identities is a protective mental health factor across the lifespan for children who identify as LGBTQ or have family members who do, to see themselves reflected in their communities beginning at a young age. We also know that for students who do not identify as LGBTQ+, that knowing and seeing people of diverse identities creates a greater capacity for understanding and engaging in meaningful relationships.

Parents may direct questions to our elementary school social worker, Saleha Erdmann (serdmann@greatriverschool.org).