NEW YORK – A private school in Manhattan is changing the way it addresses children and adults.
Grace Church School issued a 12-page guide addressing inclusive language. In it, the school said instead of “boy,” “girl,” “mom,” “dad,” and “parent,” students and staff could use “people” and “grown-up,” WCBS reported.
The East Village independent school is facing criticism for the changes, with some saying the school should be ashamed for the change of language.
The guide is not new. It was released in September, NBC News reported.
The head of the school clarified the guidance, saying, “We’re not telling people not to call their parents ‘mom’ and ‘dad.’ That’s the silliest thing anybody ever came up with. And it’s not even a word police. It is rather a guide to inclusive language, if you want to use it,” George Davidson told WCBS.
The guide also offers suggestions for organizing students. Instead of using a boy and girl pattern, the guide suggests using types of shoes or lining up alphabetically.
Click here to read the guide.
Some are embracing the suggestions of more inclusive language.
“As we look to the future, you know, it’s really important that we start to shape our future leaders to be inclusive of all people regardless of anything,” Natalie Egan told WCBS.
The school has two campuses in Manhattan, one from junior kindergarten to eighth grade, and one for high school students with tuition for next school year set at $57,330, NBC News reported.
