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On-Call Staff Inclusive Language Support

Tool to support on-call staff (to be in every on-call book)

Inclusive Language and a Supportive Environment 

 

Welcome to Steves!  
We are trying to create and maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and visitors. We invite you to be a part. Here are some things you should know and may find helpful. 
 
1. Binary Language 

We avoid using gender binaries when speaking.  

You can try: 

Instead of: 

  • Class 

  • Students 

  • Folks 

  • Division number 

  • Student’s name 

  • Y’all (you all) 

  • Friends 

  • Boys and girls 

  • Ladies and gentlemen 

  • Guys 

  • Buddy 

  • Sweetie 

 

 
2. Dividing Students 

When dividing students (pe, games), we avoid using binaries. 

You can try: 

Instead of: 

  • Numbering students (1,2,1,2) 

  • Random choice (popsicle sticks) 

  • Theme (coloured clothes/shoes/favourites) 

  • Boys versus girls 

  • Boys go first. 

  • Ladies first 

 

  

 
3.Washrooms 

 Students have a choice of which washrooms to use.  

For your information: 

Instead of: 

Students may use one of the following washrooms: 

  • Gender neutral washrooms in the north hallway 

  • Girls/boys washroom in the south hallway 

  • Telling students they must use the closest washrooms to their class.  

  • Assigning a washroom based on your assumed gender of the student 

 

4. Pronouns 

Pronouns are words we use when we are talking about people like they, she, and he. 

You can: 

Instead of: 

  • Try sharing your own pronouns with students so that they may be more comfortable sharing theirs. 

  • Use the pronouns students ask you to use. 

  • If you make a mistake, say sorry and try again. 

  • Ask permission before sharing someone’s pronouns. 

  • Using they/them when pronouns are not shared. For example, when introducing a picture book. 

  • Telling someone which pronoun they should use. 

  • Telling students they/them is only used as a plural. 

  • Making a big deal of pronouns/saying you don’t understand. 

 

 

5. We use students names as they want to be called. 

You can: 

Instead of: 

  • Ask a student how to say their name correctly. 

  • Look for the phonetic spelling in the On-Call book. 

  • Guessing or anglicizing it. 

  • Shortening their name.  

  • Giving up and calling them a nickname  

  • Ignoring or avoiding their name 

 

6. We avoid othering language. 

You can: 

Instead of: 

  • Ask a staff member to introduce students to you. 

  • Identifying a student by a racial characteristic or cultural characteristics, or abilities of the student  

  • Othering language (examples: exotic, hyper, naughty...) 

 

 

7. Phrases to avoid. 

We avoid harmful phrases that perpetuate stereotypes. 

You can: 

Instead of using phrases like: 

  • Address students individually 

  • Ask students what they mean by that (what they just said). 

  • Use phrases such as your adults, grownups, guardians  

  • When you hear crying in the hallway, explain that someone is having a big feeling and there is an adult helping them. This is their way of communicating. 

  • English isn’t their first language, what action can we take/tools can we use to help. 

  • Use visuals 

  • Boys will be boys. 

  • You ...... like a girl. (throw, scream, talk) 

  • Girls are .... 

  • Boys are ... 

  • Your Mom and Dad 

  • Cry like a baby 

  • Taking the word “just” out of a sentence ex. Thats just (name). They are (labeled) 

  • They are not from here 

  • They can’t speak English 

 

 

Phrases including but not limited to “that is so gay” and using the N-word are never tolerated.  

 
We hope you have a great day at Steves. Please let us know if you have any questions. 

From the Steves Staff 

 

Updated: Wednesday, November 27, 2024