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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 19, 2005 Many comments favor sex-ed plan By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune As chatter about the Medford School District’s plan to update its sex education program filled coffee shops, airwaves and opinion pages this week, school officials fielded questions and comments, most of them in support of the proposed health curriculum. While sex education is always a hot-button issue, prominent pastor Peter-John Courson of the Applegate Christian Fellowship turned up the heat when he told the school board he might ask his congregation — the Rogue Valley’s largest — to consider pulling children from public school over plans to introduce information about contraception districtwide in eighth grade. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions," said Todd Bloomquist, the district curriculum director. He said the district welcomes all comments and posted the health curriculum on its Web site, www.medford.k12.or.us , on Wednesday. The online material got 160 visits by Friday, although some of those likely were district tech experts making sure the site worked and people checking in several times to read the document. Bloomquist estimated more than 100 community members had seen the proposal online. Three people visited the district office to read it. Bloomquist said he had tallied up three e-mails against the proposal and 12 for it, although some of those supporters had questions, and two e-mails were from people who just wanted more information. Advertisement Opponents said parents should be in charge of teaching their children about sex and that introducing condoms and other contraception in eighth grade was too soon. Lessons about contraception aren’t mandated until 10th grade under the district’s present health curriculum, adopted in 1991. "In all the pages and pages of health information, the part on contraception and condoms is the only thing I didn’t like," Courson said. "Thirteen is not the time to introduce contraception, but to protect our children’s innocence." He said that even though parents can opt out of those lessons for their kids, he believes classroom discussions of contraception could spark kids’ curiosity, confuse them when combined with abstinence messages, and generally add to the sexually charged atmosphere pop culture creates. Supporters of the new curriculum noted that parents need help in making sure kids get good information. "Education is a powerful tool that we should give to all kids," said Tabitha Robustelli, a Medford nursing student studying maternal and child health and mother of a 4-year-old. "I would rather have people getting accurate information from teachers than what they get talking to friends." One e-mail to the district expressed concerns that school officials would be bullied by vocal critics. Bloomquist reiterated that officials would listen to all concerns, but would follow state law, which requires comprehensive sexuality education including contraception information, and adhere to research done on what makes health programs effective. Courson said he appreciates the district’s work and that he likely will send his daughters to Medford schools when they are old enough. "Those of us in this discussion have the common goal to love our kids and do what is best for them," he said. He said he spoke out at the school board meeting because he felt God was leading him to try to help children. "I try to stay away from hot-button issues, but this was pressing on my heart," he said. He said his ministry generally focuses on Bible-based messages, not topical issues, and on creating a Christian home life rather than on public policy questions. However, he said Friday that he hadn’t decided yet whether to preach about health curriculum concerns and will continue to pray about it. Goals include parent cooperation Editor’s note: Medford School District’s proposed new health curriculum includes elements of sex education in seventh, eighth and 10th grades. The following is taken directly from the new curriculum. For more, see www.medford.k12.or.us . The goal of human sexuality education in the Medford District is to work in cooperation with parents and guardians to delay the onset of sexual activity and reduce the risk of infectious diseases by comprehensively teaching abstinence- based programs with emphasis on communication, refusal and decision making skills. Human sexuality education will: Be age appropriate. Be comprehensive. Be an integral part of the health education curriculum. Promote abstinence, but not to the exclusion of material and instruction on those young people who have had or are having sexual intercourse. Include a discussion of the possible emotional, physical and psychological consequences of pre-adolescent sexual intercourse. Include information regarding the efficacy of contraceptives in preventing HIV/STDs and unintended pregnancy. Advise students of ORS 163.435 and 163.445 pertaining to persons 18 years or older having sexual relationships with persons younger than 18 years of age. Teach that no form of sexual expression is acceptable when it physically or emotionally harms oneself or others. Validate honesty, dignity and respect for oneself and others. Teach effective communication and refusal skills. Encourage family discussion. Here are the elements of sex education per grade as outlined by the district: Seventh grade — two weeks Physical, emotional and societal changes of puberty. STARS — Students Today Aren’t Ready for Sex. Decision making and refusal skills. Respecting Your Future. Causes and prevention of AIDS/HIV. Eighth grade — two weeks Analysis of influences. Anatomy and physiology of reproductive system. Fetal development. Consequences of teenage pregnancy. Sexually transmitted disease prevention. Contraceptives. 10th grade — three weeks Healthy relationships. Abusive relationships/rape prevention. Decision making and refusal skills. Male and female anatomy. HIV/AIDS/sexually transmitted diseases. Accessing resources. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail Many comments favor sex-ed plan ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. 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