We have had a number of inquiries from families regarding our sexual health lessons and resources.
When do sexual health lessons start and what is included?
In Tahoma, sexual health starts in grade 4 with lessons about maturation. In the linked document we provide an overview of our lessons. Overview of Sexual Health Lessons at each grade level
Will there be changes to the sexual health curriculum because of the recent legislation in our state?
We do not anticipate substantial changes to the focus at each grade level for our sexual health lessons. We do have a team looking at new resources to support the lessons, many of our current resources are nearly 20 years old.
When a curriculum review happens, is there opportunity for parent involvement?
In our curriculum review process, once the team has the top two resources identified, there is a community information meeting where the top two resources are shared. Representatives from the review team provide an overview of the process and an overview of the top two curriculum materials being considered. Team members share their insights into the curriculum and pluses and minuses they see for each. The materials will be made available to families for 1 month, with opportunity for community members to submit written comments on either or both curriculum. Those comments go to the review team to factor into the review process. Team members will recommend a curriculum that will then go to the Instructional Materials Committee for their review and recommendation to the school board. There are approximately 12 community members on the Instructional Materials Committee.
What is the opt-out process for parents to not have their student participate in the sexual health lessons?
At least one month prior to the sexual health lessons being taught, parents are invited to a parent information night where our teachers provide an overview of the lessons being taught and parents can look at the specific resources that will be used with students. Parents then have the option to complete a form letting us know they would like to opt their child out of those lessons that year. Students are provided with an alternate activity and location for the time the lesson is being taught in the teacher’s classroom.