Day of Silence, April

  • Day of Silence

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    The “Day of Silence” is recognized each April in schools across the country. It is a student-led action where concerned students, middle school and older, take some form of a vow of silence to bring attention to the name-calling, bullying and harassment— in effect, the silencing—experienced by LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) students and their allies. It began in 1996, when students at the University of Virginia organized the first Day of Silence with over 150 students participating. Today, the Day of Silence one of the largest student-led actions in the United States. In 2001, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network) became the official organizational sponsor and has numerous resources available. To learn more, view the School Board of Broward County Day of Silence 2022-2023 Resolution.  

    Join us during this year’s Day of Silence, April 14, 2023!

  • Policies and Statutes

    Broward County School District ensures that all district staff adhere to these policies and guidelines to establish the safety of all students, including youth from varying backgrounds, cultures and identities. Below are some relevant policies and laws that relate to diversity.

    Members of the instructional staff of the public schools shall teach efficiently and faithfully, using the books and materials required that meet the highest standards of professionalism and historic accuracy for the history of Holocaust, the history of African Americans, the study of Hispanic Contributions to the United States and the study of Women’s Contributions to the United States. View Florida-Statue-1003.42.pdf.

    Policy 1.5 Diversity: “The School Board of Broward County prohibits any policy or procedure, which results in discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, marital status, race, religion or sexual orientation. The School Board is committed to providing schools that promote acceptance, cultural diversity, equity, fair play, respect, and tolerance, and reinforce the positive tenets of a democratic society. The School Board recognizes that diversity is important in providing competent services in an inclusive setting. Students and staff with diverse backgrounds shall be provided the opportunity to develop greater skills and increased sensitivity in working with others and learning to function more effectively as members of a pluralistic society.

    Anti-Bullying Policy 5.9The School Board of Broward County Policy 5.9 prohibits the bullying, harassment, cyberstalking and cyberbullying of any student or employee on the basis of any one of the following protected categories: sex; race; color; religion; national origin; age; disability; marital status; socio-economic background; ancestry/ethnicity; linguistic preference; political beliefs; social/family background; gender; sexual orientation; gender identity and gender expression.

    School Board of Broward County Non-Discrimination Policy 4001.1The School Board of Broward County shall not discriminate against students, parents or guardians of students, employees, applicants, contractors, or individuals participating in School Board sponsored activities. The School Board is committed to the provision of equal access. This policy is established to provide an environment free from discrimination and harassment based upon age, race, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

    Florida Statute 1006.147“The Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act” prohibits bullying or harassment of any student or employee of a public K-12 educational institution, whether at a school, on a school bus or via electronic device.

    The Professional Code of Conduct for the Education Profession of FloridaThe educator values the worth and dignity of every person and essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.

    The Fourteenth Amendment The Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (Equal Protection): The United States Constitution guarantees all people equal protection under the law. This means public school officials and employees may not single out a student for negative treatment based on prejudices against a certain culture or identity. The Constitution’s equality also means that public school officials may not turn a blind eye to anti-LGBTQ harassment or treat it less seriously than other forms of harassment.

    Title IX Title IX of the Education Amendment Acts of 1972: Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that received federal financial assistance. Although Title IX does not expressly apply to discrimination based on sexual orientation, it does prohibit gender-based harassment, such as harassment on the basis of student’s failure to conform to stereotyped notions of masculinity and femininity.

  • More Resources and Links

    Please Note: A program or website being mentioned here does not imply endorsement by the School Board of Broward County and does not necessarily reflect its views.  Contact the program developers directly for the most current information.

  • BCPS Resources for The Day