Sexual Health and Disease Prevention
Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention Program and Questioning Guidelines
In what grades do students learn about Sexual Education and Disease Prevention?
HIV/AIDS and Disease Prevention must be taught to all students in grades 5-12 each year.
What instructional materials do we use to teach Sexual Education (Reproductive Health) and HIV/ AIDS & Disease Prevention?
Edmonds School District teachers use the FLASH program to teach students about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and their prevention. We use the FLASH (Family Life and Sexual Health) program to teach about the reproductive system, growth and development, and conception. The FLASH curriculum is based on medically accurate, developmentally appropriate information and is a state-approved instructional material.
How can families review the curriculum and determine participation?
- At least one month before teaching HIV/AIDS prevention education in any classroom, each district must notify parents and guardians that instruction will take place AND must conduct at least one opportunity to preview, during weekend or evening hours, for parents and guardians of students concerning the curriculum and materials that will be used for HIV/AIDS education.
- A student may be removed from HIV/AIDS prevention education and/or Family Life and Sexual Health education, if the student’s parent or guardian, having previewed the curriculum and materials, objects in writing by completing the waiver form.
- FLASH/KNOW waiver form (English)
- Formulario de exención para FLASH/KNOW (Spanish)
- FLASH/KNOW ተማሪዎቻቸው እንዳይሳተፉ የቤተሰብ ጥያቄ (Amharic)
- استمارة اعفاء من مادة الحياة الاسرية و الصحة الجنسية FLASH
KNOW تعليم الوقاية من فيروي نقص المناعة البشرية
(Arabic) - FLASH/KNOW 포기신청서(Korean)
- БЛАНК ОТКАЗA ОТ УЧАСТИЯ В FLASH/KNOW(Russian)
- Mẫu Miễn học FLASH/KNOW (Vietnamese)
- Families may review materials online or by contacting teachers and/or Patty Schultz, 425-431-7147
Transgender Students |
The Edmonds School District adheres to the Guidelines for Sexual Health Information and Disease Prevention authored by the Washington State Department of Health and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, January 2005. These guidelines include the following characteristics:
- Use information and materials that are medically and scientifically accurate and objective.
- Encourage and improve communication, especially around growth and development, with parents/guardians and other trusted adults.
- Enlighten young people to develop and apply health-promoting behaviors.
- Provide information about sexual anatomy and physiology and the stages, patterns, and responsibilities associated with growth and development.
- Promote the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills including a sense of dignity and self-worth and the communication, decision-making, assertiveness and refusal skills necessary to reduce health risks and choose healthy behaviors.
- Recognize and respect people with differing personal and family values.
- Promote healthy self-esteem, positive body image, good self-care, respect for others, caring for family and friends and a responsibility to community.
- Teach youth that learning about their sexuality will be a lifelong process as their needs and circumstances change.
- Encourage community support and reinforcement of key messages by other adults and information sources.
For state information about Sexual Education and Disease Prevention: http://www.k12.wa.us/HIVSexualhealth/default.aspx
Washington State's HIV/AIDS education (RCW 28A.230.070) and Bully and Harassment Policy (WAC 392-190-056) requirements are supported by the objectives of sex education.