Isabella Burgos’ room is filled with things many eight-year-old girls love - hair brushes, jewelry and nail polish, but she wasn’t always identified as a girl.

This year, the transgender elementary student returned to Joseph Teres School as Isabella, so in August her family met with the River East Transcona School Division superintendent to prepare for the sensitive transition.

”Everyone's been open and they've accepted everything and Isabella’s part of the community,” said Dale Burgos, her dad.

But he said problems came from another parent.

He said a mother of one of Isabella’s classmates confronted her inside the school twice in one day.

“(She) approached my daughter and right in her face, pointing in her face said, "You're not allowed to use the girls’ bathroom any more,’” Burgos said.

“I think that was really mean and I didn't know if I should go in the office or not,” said Isabella.

Since the school year started, Isabella had been using the girls’ washroom, but had the option of using a gender-neutral washroom.

Things changed after the incident.

“The division, coincidentally decided that day that she's no longer allowed to use the girls' bathroom,” said Dale Burgos.

The River East Transcona School Division’s senior communications coordinator, Wanda McConnell, released a statement:

“As outlined by the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, identified trans-gendered students use the gender-neutral washroom in their school. Trans-gendered students use the gender-neutral washroom in their school.”

The Burgos family disagrees with the interpretation and filed a complaint with the human rights commission.

The family hopes it will result in writing clearer rules.

They also filed a harassment complaint with police against the mother who spoke to Isabella.

Meanwhile, letters of support pour in for Isabella.

She and her family hope the school uses this as a teaching opportunity.

“I asked my teacher if we could learn about transgender in my class so they all understand,” said Isabella.

Patricia Knipe, communications director with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, said although it “will not comment on an individual complaint, according to its guidelines flexibility with respect to washroom use policies may be necessary to ensure that persons who are transgender or transsexual have access to a washroom that is as safe and comfortable as that available to others.”