Local reactions to Vermont Department of Health’s inclusive language tips [Video]

As a new school year is underway, the Vermont Department of Health is encouraging educators to be mindful of the language they use when talking about students’ family situations.The state wants inclusive language to be prioritized because it says you never know someone’s family structure. Last week, the Department of Health put out this post sharing some tips. “We all live in different family settings,” said Sara Chesbrough, Vermont Department of Health’s equity team lead within the Family and Child Health division. “We don’t all use the same terms to refer to one another. And so our post was encouraging Vermonters as kids head back to school to just use language that affirms and validates all family structures.”Crossett Brook Middle School co-principal Jennifer Durren said they plan to implement some of this advice in their classrooms.The former teacher emphasized the need to put equity at the forefront in schools.“I remember …