MA High School Drops 'Freshmen' For Gender-Neutral Term

EASTHAMPTON, MA – The word "freshmen" has been axed from the Easthampton High School vernacular, according to revisions to the student handbook. Ninth-graders will instead be referred to as "first years" as the school aims to be more gender-neutral.

"For the purpose of class meetings and activities, including the class dues, students will be considered first years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors," the handbook reads.

School Committee Policy Subcommittee chairwoman Marissa Carrere told the Republican the committee, which approved the change to the handbook, felt using gender-neutral language was a "sensible way to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment, and was in concert with the many transformations underway at our district."

The wording was suggested by the student-run Gender and Sexuality Alliance group, which coordinated with the handbook committee in the wake of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey's civil rights investigation into bias at Easthampton High School. The handbook committee's amendments were implemented to address the attorney general's findings, MassLive reported.

Superintendent Nancy Follansbee said students may still use the word "freshmen" if they wish to, according to WHDH.

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