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LTC 117-2017 Committee for Quality Education MotionMJ BEACH OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER NO. LTC # 117-2017 LETTER TO COMMISSION TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members the City Com ission FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager DATE: February 28, 2017 SUBJECT: Committee for Quality Education Motion The Committee for Quality Education would like you to be aware of the following motion requesting support for the Miami Beach Youth Commission motion regarding the National PTA Resolution to recognize LGBTQ individuals as a protected class, approved at the February 28, 2017 committee meeting. C: Executive Staff Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld, Chief Learning Development Officer City of Miami Beach Committee for Quality Education Meeting of February 28, 2017 Members Present: Beverly Heller, Beth Edwards, Yvette Tache, Stewart Turner, Joshua Levy, Kayla Rynor, Karen Edelstein, Ivan Alvarez, Tiffany Heckler, Judith Berson -Levinson, Damond Neely, Faiza Liban, and Jordan Leonard Members Absent: Jessica Rivero and Betsy Mateu Motion made by Beverly Heller Motion seconded by Judi Berson -Levinson Motion Text: The Committee for Quality Education requests the Miami Beach Mayor and Commission support the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Resolution and Miami Beach Youth Commission motion from January 17, 2017 to recognize LGBTQ individuals as a protected class in all city -run, city -sponsored, and city -partnered youth programming. The Committee for Quality Education urges the Mayor and Commission to support the above request. Motion Passage: Votes 13-0 OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER NO. LTC # LETTER TO COMMISSION TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members of the City Co FROM; Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager DATE: January 17, 2017 SUBJECT: Youth Commission Motion ission The Youth Commission would like you to be aware of the following motion requesting support for the National Parent Teacher Association resolution on LGBTQ Individuals as a Protected Class and adoption of a similar resolution for all City youth programs, approved at the January 17, 2017 commission meeting. C: Executive Staff Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld, Chief Learning Development Officer City of Miami Beach Youth Commission Meeting of January 17, 2017 Members Present: Itai Beaudoin de Roca, Benjamin Burstein, Nicole Leser, and Logan Courey Members Absent: Olivia Kramer and Amanda Garcia Motion made by Nicole Leser Motion seconded by Itai Beaudoin De Roca Motion Text: The Youth Commission requests the Miami Beach Mayor and Commission support the National Parent Teach Association (PTA) resolution on LGBTQ Individuals cis a protected class and adopt a similar resolution for all city -run, city -sponsored, and city -partnered youth programming. The Youth Commission urges the Mayor and Commission to support the above request. Motion Passage: Votes 4-0 National PTA everychiid. one voice. National PTA Resolution on LGBTQ Individuals as a Protected Class June 30, 2016 Whereas, All children and youth should be able to attend school in a safe and inclusive environment free from discrimination, and that history has shown that civil rights laws are effective in contributing to such environments; and Whereas, Explicit federal statutory protections currently address discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, but not sexual orientation or gender identity; and Whereas, The lack of awareness and understanding of issues facing LGBTQ children and youth has contributed to a higher rate of isolation, depression, and suicidal ideations or attempts; and Whereas, Education regarding LGBTQ issues increases understanding and cultivates acceptance of and respect for LGBTQ children and youth; and Whereas, Harassment and bullying policies that specifically mention sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression are associated with: students feeling more safe; lower levels of bullying; decreased incidents of harassment related to sexual orientation; increased teacher/staff intervention; and a greater reporting of incidents; now therefore be it Resolved, That National PTA support current civil rights tegislation[1], Department of Education guidance[2], and Department of Justice guidance[3] regarding guidance and protecting all children and youth, and ensuring their equal access to education; and be it further Resolved, That National PTA seek and support legislation that specifically recognizes LGBTQ as a protected group and addresses discrimination based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; and be it further Resolved, That National PTA encourage state, local units, and councils to ret;ew school policies in regard to bullying and support revisions and amendments to those policies that specifically address the topics of sexual orientation and gender identification/expression as they relate to harassment and bullying; and be it further Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent associations seek and support legislation that creates a safe, supportive and accepting environment in schools, specifically with training for educators and other school related professionals to support all students, updated health education standards that deal with the issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression; and be it further Resolved, That National PTA work with the Department of Education to encourage states to incorporate standards regarding age-appropriate, medically accurate and culturally sensitive information on LGBTQ issues into existing health and other appropriate curricula. [1) The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Publ. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241, enacted July 2, 1964) [21 Dear Colleague Letter: Harassment and Bullying, Oct. 2010; Dear Colleague Letter: Key Policy Letters from the Education Secretary and Deputy Secretary, June 2011; and Question and Answer update to 2011 Dear Colleague Letter, April 2014. [3) U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division: Defending the Rights of LGBT Americans, June 2014.