Dear Imlay Elementary Parents/Guardians:
The Hillsboro School District (HSD) recognizes the importance of supporting the physical, emotional, and social health and well-being of our students, and provides health education lessons to our students on an annual basis. Oregon’s Health Education Standards require the instruction of health-enhancing skills (such as accessing information, analyzing influences, decision-making, goal-setting, and interpersonal communication) and concepts that are meant to build students’ health literacy and prepare them to live healthy lives. Performance Indicators related to each of the Standards cover the following topics across all grades:
Wellness
Injury Care & Prevention
Promotion of Healthy Eating
Disease Prevention
Mental, Social, & Emotional Health
Promotion of Physical Activity
Environmental Health
Drug Prevention
Sexual Health & Violence Prevention
All instruction is based on Oregon Law and the comprehensive Oregon Health Education Standards and Performance Indicators adopted by the Oregon State Board of Education in December of 2016 and is delivered by skilled, caring, and dedicated staff who are committed to supporting each student’s academic and personal growth in a safe, inclusive environment.
Per Oregon law, school districts are required to develop a more specific plan for the provision “Comprehensive Sexuality Education.” Three key laws guide our sexuality education efforts:
Human Sexuality Education (2009),
Healthy Teen Relationships (2013), and
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education (2015)
In communication with superintendents and principals, the Director of the Oregon Department of Education, Colt Gill, explained that “These laws provide for consistent instruction, are based on the most current evidence and best practices, and equip students with the knowledge and skills to realize their health, well-being, and educational goals. Sexuality education supports young people with skills to delay sexual initiation, prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), promote their own health, and reduce sexual violence, harassment, and bullying.”
5th and 6th grade parents/guardians- Students get lessons on adolescent development and human reproduction in groups by gender. In our Comprehensive Sexuality Plan, we have tried to not reinforce gender binary, nor do we intend to exclude students who identify as transgender or non-binary from any part of our instructional programs. For the purpose of these specific lessons, we predict that some students will feel more safe and more free to ask questions if they are allowed to experience the lessons in gender-specific groups. We will allow students to attend the lessons of the gender with which they identify, and we will offer a small group setting facilitated by Ms. Zephirin, school counselor, for students who do not wish to attend the boys group or the girls group.
HSD’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education Plan includes the right of parents/guardians to be notified of upcoming sexual health lessons (as is the purpose of this letter), to review instructional materials, and to propose alternative learning activities for their student(s) if they choose to.
Below, you will find information related to our delivery of sexuality education this year:
All grades April 26-30th, May 3-4th, 2021 First 20-30 minutes of the day in every grade level
As a parent/guardian, we encourage you to learn more about our K-12 Comprehensive Sexuality Plan and teaching materials. To make this as easy as possible, we have posted documents on our Comprehensive Sexuality Education Plan website that outline the standards, curricula, and instructional materials used at each grade-level. (Note: If/when materials cannot be posted online due to copyright restrictions, you may call the school and make an appointment to view them in person.) Remember, parents/guardians have the right to utilize our opt-out process if they wish to have their student(s) participate in alternate activities during sexual health instruction (Opt-Out Form).
If you have any questions/concerns about the health curriculum, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Sincerely,
Principal Jen McCalley, Imlay Elementary School
Additional Information
HSD’s Health Education Overview
ODE’s Health Education Website
ODE’s Sexuality Education: Frequently Asked Questions
HSD’s Resources for Families
*Link to the 5th & 6th Grade “Always Changing” Co-Ed Video on Adolescent Development from P&G
