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Seg. 1: Nonbinary Inclusion & Understanding | Seg. 2: Student-Led Conferences

Segment 1: Gender-nonconforming people share their experience living as nonbinary.

The pronouns "they" and "them" have been added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary to describe nonbinary individuals, but the transition to gender-neutral terms can be difficult for some to figure out. "It is hard," admits Shallyn Ward, who is nonbinary, "but it's not impossible." Today, a conversation about understanding the changing language etiquette, and what it's like living as nonbinary.

Segment 2, beginning at 30:32: Student-led parent-teacher conferences allow students to take ownership of their performance.

Students at Pembroke Hill Middle School recently had a captive audience while leading their own parent-teacher conferences. The nontraditional style of the session allows students an opportunity to present a performance evaluation, complete with examples of strengths and weaknesses. The move has also increased the number of parents and students who show up for conferences, says the school's principal.

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.