Sexual Health Education
Opportunity to view health materials in advance of instruction
September 1, 2022
Each year schools are required to provide lessons related to human growth and development (puberty) and/or HIV/Aids prevention for students beginning in the 5th grade. There will be no instruction related to these topics prior to the 5th grade.
This is an annual reminder to let families know they will be able to view all materials at the elementary, middle and high school level in advance of classroom instruction. Families will also have the ability to opt their child out of any, or all, portions of the lessons. Open viewing events will be scheduled throughout the year at least 30 days prior to any classroom instruction. Families will also have the ability to access materials by contacting the district office or their child’s school. Information regarding dates and times for curriculum viewing events will be coming in early winter for the school year.
No changes to SBLSD’s Sexual Health Education curriculum
November 6, 2020
On Nov. 3, voters passed Referendum 90, which requires public schools in Washington state to provide sexual health education to all students. What does this mean for students in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District? There will be no changes to our current curriculum.
The new law (Senate Bill 5395) requires the teaching of age-appropriate comprehensive sexual health education to students in grades 6-12 beginning in the 2021-2022 school year, and in grades 4 or 5 beginning in the 2022-23 school year. Students in grades K-3 are required to be taught social emotional learning skills such as managing emotions, establishing relationships, setting goals, and making responsible decisions. There is no sexual health content required in K-3.
In our District, the sexual health education currently offered to students in grades 4-12 meets the requirements for the new law. This means we will not be making changes to our current curriculum.
Families will continue to be encouraged and are invited to review our curriculum at any of our family review events, or by special appointment. After viewing the curriculum, families have the ability to opt their child out of any or all lessons.
No changes to SBLSD’s Sexual Health Education curriculum
June 4, 2020
The recent passage of Washington state Senate Bill 5395 regarding comprehensive sexual health education generated questions in our community about what would happen with the current sexual health curriculum in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District. The short answer: there will be no changes to our current curriculum.
The new law requires the teaching of age-appropriate comprehensive sexual health education to students in grades 6-12 beginning in the 2021-2022 school year and in grades 4 or 5 beginning in the 2022-23 school year. Students in grades K-3 are required to be taught social emotional learning skills such as managing emotions, establishing relationships, setting goals, and making responsible decisions. There is no sexual health content required in K-3.
In our District, the sexual health education currently offered to students in grades 4-12 meets the requirements for the new law. This means we will not be making changes to our current curriculum. Families will continue to be encouraged and invited to review our curriculum at any of our family review events, or by special appointment. After viewing the curriculum, families have the ability to opt their child out of any or all lessons. Look for curriculum review dates in our newsletters and on our website.
FAQs
What is comprehensive sexual health education?
Comprehensive sexual health education is defined in the bill as instruction about human development and reproduction that takes place over time, is age-appropriate, and inclusive of all students.
Where did the graphic illustrations come from that I saw on social media?
Several social media posts inserted illustrations from a book intended for parents into a lesson plan for 4th graders. The book was one of several optional books on a handout for parents and guardians wishing to continue talking with their child about puberty and reproduction, and not part of a lesson, curriculum, or instruction.
What is required in grades K-3?
No sexual health content is required for students in grades K-3. Schools must provide social emotional emotional learning (SEL) which provides skills to do things like cope with feelings, how to have respectful communication, develop healthy friendships, respecting personal space, set goals, and get along with others. No sexuality content or curriculum will be required.
What is required in grades 4-5?
Schools must provide sexual health education at least one time in grades 4 and 5. The SBLSD provides a basic introduction of puberty in both grades. Age-appropriate lessons teaching assertiveness skills, dealing with peer pressure, and saying no in different situations such as in horseplay or bullying meet the requirements of affirmative consent and bystander training. Students will continue to receive lessons on SEL.
What is required in grades 6-8?
Schools must provide sexual health education at least two times in grades 6-8. The SBLSD already provides sexual health education (human growth and development) in grade 6. All students take the course Skills for Life in grade 8 which also includes a unit on human growth and development (puberty). Other topics include understanding and respecting personal boundaries, developing healthy friendships and dating relationships, and how to choose healthy behaviors. Students continue receiving SEL lessons through middle school. No changes in current practice are needed to meet requirements of ESB 5395.
What is required in grades 9-12?
Schools must provide sexual health education at least two times in grades 9-12. These lessons can be two units in one class or in two separate years. All students in the SBLSD take a required Health class for graduation in 9th grade which meets the new requirements of ESB 5395. Students continue to build on knowledge from grade 8 with the addition of learning how to reduce health risks and understanding the influence of family and society on healthy relationships.
Is sexual health education integrated in other content areas?
The bill does not require that comprehensive sexual health education, or components of this education, be integrated into curriculum, materials, or instruction in unrelated subject areas or courses.
Are HIV/STD prevention lessons required?
The AIDS Omnibus Act was passed in 1988 and requires HIV/AIDS prevention instruction for all students in Washington annually, through grade 12, beginning no later than grade 5. Lessons are age-appropriate and address the life-threatening dangers of HIV/AIDS, its transmission, and its prevention. Consistent with the law, curriculum, instruction, and materials used at the upper grades must include information about abstinence and other methods of preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Abstinence may not be taught to the exclusion of other materials on contraceptives and disease prevention. Parents can opt their child out of any or all lessons after reviewing the curriculum and signing a consent form.
Are schools required to teach about gender and/or sexual identity?
Sexual identity standards are included as a strand in the Washington State Learning Standards for Health. Districts are not required to teach these standards.