Like others in the province, Christ The Redeemer school division will be reviewing and updating its administrative procedures and policies to line-up with new guidelines.

The Guidelines for Best Practices: Creating Learning Environments that Respect Diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Gender Expressions was released by the Alberta government with the intention to help ensure safe, caring, welcoming and inclusive learning environments that respect everyone.

Scott Morrison, superintendent of CTR, says the division will take its time reviewing procedures.

"When it comes to the guidelines, the policies and procedures, we're just going to need some time to reflect on what we've seen but what I can reassure our parents and stakeholders is that what we're doing now is very effective and I don't think we'll see radical shifts in how we operate," he says.

The new guidelines will see definitions of bullying added into student codes of conduct which are to be reviewed annually, as well as the addition of gender-neutral bathrooms.

Morrison says the division will continue to deliver a quality learning environment.

"The board feels that our existing policies and procedures, both written and unwritten, have served to make our schools extremely safe and caring," he says. "In our most recent safe and caring school survey results we found that 94 percent of the students, parents and staff surveyed feel our schools are safe and caring, so we're thinking we're doing a great job for all kids and we're going to continue to do that."

He says the board has had calls and emails from stakeholders and members of their Catholic community who are concerned about the guidelines.

CTR is encouraging those with feedback to contact their local MLA.

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