A High School Replaced The Term ‘Freshmen’ With ‘First Years’ In An Effort To Support Gender Neutrality
A Massachusetts high school’s committee recommended the name change to make for a more inclusive environment at the school.
By Admin on December 20, 2017
A Massachusetts high school is making an effort to support gender neutrality by replacing the term “freshmen” for incoming ninth-graders.
Those students at Easthampton High School will instead be called “first-years,” according to a report by MassLive.
According to the report, the school’s committee recommended the change to make for a more inclusive environment at the school.
The language was suggested by students with the Gender-Sexuality Alliance, or GSA, who met with the handbook committee, which including teachers, counselors, administrators, and a school-based police officer.
“For the purpose of class meetings and activities, including the class dues, students will be considered first years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors,” the school writes in its 2017-2018 school yearbook.
