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85Health EducationWelcoming and Inclusive Schools are essential to ensuring that all students have a safe and supportive environment to learn and grow. In alignment with the School Board Equity Policy (1.041) and in partnership with Equality Florida, a School Board Member and a staff member attended the All Together Now conference, which focuses on LGBTQ+ issues for Florida School Districts. The February 28, 2025 conference was attended by over 40 districts from across Florida. Professional Development opportunities and conferences such as these help support our staff, who operate more than 35 GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance) Clubs in middle and high schools and strive to have safe, supportive, and inclusive campuses across the county for all of our students, staff, families, and communities. Our District also issued an LGBTQ+ History Month Proclamation, which recognized the month of October 2024 with that designation. The District was one of the first in the nation to issue such a proclamation back in 2013, and has recognized October as LGBTQ+ History Month every year since. Several speakers came out to thank the District for this designation. Research suggests that having just one supportive adult in a school can significantly reduce the risk of selfharm, suicide, and other negative outcomes. Research also shows that inclusive policies, instructional materials, supportive adults, and affirming clubs, such GSA Clubs, can reduce absenteeism, increase students%u2019 sense of school connectedness, and improve academic outcomes by up to 0.5 GPA for ALL students. This is all part of our %u201cWe%u2019re ALL In!%u201d campaign, which supports LGBTQ+ students and staff. Through this campaign, The School District of Palm Beach County upholds inclusive policies from Discrimination and Harassment (5.001), and Bullying and Harassment (5.002), as well as the District Diversity and Equity Committee (1.0971), and Equity Policy (1.041). Additionally, supportive staff members can be identified in various ways. We provide posters and stickers for schools to display, and we have also designed a badge for staff to wear alongside their name badge, signifying them as supportive, caring adults for LGBTQ+ students.FY25 marked the 10th consecutive year that the District participated in Compass Community Center%u2019s Palm Beach Pride Fest. Several School Board Members, staff, and students participated in this annual event in March 2025. Our District continues the Pride & Allies LGBTQ+ Voluntary Employee Networking Group (VENG), which meets monthly as a social group. Our District also supports several other VENGs, including Haitians, Latinos, Women, Health, and New Employees.We were also honored to recognize Alicia Lewis, Youth Coordinator with Compass Community Center, as the fourth Annual Award Winner of our %u201cWe%u2019re ALL In%u201d Champion for Equity in Education Award at the May 2, 2025 %u2018Wellness Celebration & Awards Ceremony%u2019. Alicia was honored to receive this award for her continued partnership with the District in supporting youth through youth group activities including arts, literacy, equity, and inclusion initiatives.Finally, the District%u2019s LGBTQ+ Critical Support Guide has been updated to reflect current legislation, rules, policies, and information available to promote a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for LGBTQ+ students and families. The guide provides guidance on a range of issues, including name and pronoun usage, as well as the exclusive use of public facilities.Safe & Supportive School Climates