Schools
School District Abstains from 7th Grade Sex-Ed Program
Many parents expressed concern over the explicitness of the Teen Talk program.
Teen Talk, a comprehensive sexual health education program will not be taught to Ralston Middle School 7th grade students this year.
Citing the nature of "community conversation," administrators at the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District (BRSSD) realized further discussion was needed before presenting Teen Talk to the school's 12 and 13 year-olds as part of the 7th grade science curriculum.
The item had been on Thursday's BRSSD board of trustees meeting agenda for discussion, but was stricken on Wednesday. However, in an electronic letter sent to parents on Wednesday, school district administrators say an item specific to sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention education will be brought back to the board in May for discussion.
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Many parents in the district were concerned that some of the content in program was too explicit for 7th graders; topics covered included a condom demonstration, the process of abortion, and discussion of transgender issues.
The program made its debut last year, and received complaints from parents stating it was inappropriate material for 12 and 13 year-olds. Parents say that it was implied at that time that the program would either not be returning, or would be modified. However, at a Teen Talk meeting in last month, parents say it was clear that the curriculum content had not changed.
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The letter distributed to parents today by interim co-superintendents Nellie Hugerford and Suzanne Roy states that the human anatomy and reproduction lessons traditionally taught by the 7th grade science teachers will be presented as part of the regular science curriculum this spring.
HIV/AIDS prevention education will be addressed in 8th gra
de as required by the California education code.
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