As of Fall, 2017, HCPSS has a process by which a student can request to mask a legal name and/or gender assigned at birth. This is different than a student legally changing either field or using a prefered name, but will allow the presenting name and/or gender to show on class rosters, report cards, IEPs, 504 plans, athletic rosters, Teacher and Parent Vue pages, Food Service information, diplomas, etc. These are not the documents considered to be Official School Records (per MSDE memo; 10-6-2017). The legal name and gender will remain, but will be hidden to most users. Legal name and gender will continue to be used only on documents required to show legal name and gender (e.g., State Reporting, Assessments, CTE Reports to MSDE, transcripts and Health reports).

If the student is transitioning to another school or level, the administration should work with the student to determine a plan to inform the new school and relevant staff. This is important because if the student chooses to legally change a name while in school, a staff member must collaborate with the Office of Student Information Systems to facilitate the change from a masked name to a legal name.

It is best that the parent and student are in agreement with this change because the changed name or gender will show on documents parents and other students will see (e.g., report cards, ParentVue, Information Systems that use single sign-on). The change can be made by student request, but the student and staff should consider how the parent will become aware of the request. If you have any questions about masking please contact the Department of Program Innovation and Student Well-being.

Process:

1. Student (and preferably) parent meet with school staff (counselor, administrator, psychologist). Student requests name and/or gender to be masked.
2. Staff should notify school principal of the request.
3. Principal will send an email with Student ID number and the request for the changed information (first name, middle name and/or gender) to the Coordinator of the School Counseling.
4. Change will be implemented quickly. If the student’s presenting name has a different letter than their birth name, the student will receive a new AD login within 24 hours of the change being made in Synergy.

Read more about the school systems Guidelines for Supporting Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students. 

Contact your counselor, administrator or other school staff member for help and support.