Sex Education in Patterson
Dear Mr. Sweeney: Evidence shows that sexuality education that stresses the importance of waiting to have sex while providing accurate, age-appropriate, and complete information about how to use contraceptives effectively to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can help teens make healthy and responsible life decisions. We understand the following to be true: 1. Sex education is not required. HIV/AIDS prevention education is required once in middle school and once in high school. 2. If schools offer sex education, they cannot provide an abstinence-only program. 3. Sex education must be medically accurate, age-appropriate, and, starting in 7th grade must cover abstinence, effectiveness and safety of contraception, protection from sexually transmitted diseases, and decision-making. 4. Parents must be notified that their child will have sex education or HIV/AIDS education and be allowed to see the materials before the classes start. If parents don't want their children to take the class they must request that in writing. 5. Teachers of both HIV/AIDS education and sexual health education must be trained in the subject. 6. English language learners and students with disabilities must get sex education and HIV/AIDS education that is right for them. Schools must make sure that all students can get sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention education in a way that works for them. 7. Sex education must respect and address the needs of students of all sexual orientations. Therefore, we kindly request: 1. That PJUSD provide the Patterson IrriTator with a copy of any and all public records pertaining to Patterson Joint Unified School District's sex education curriculum. [ California Public Records Act, Government Code Section 6252]; and; 2. A response to Patterson IrriTator's survey already provided to you. *** Go to www.pattersonirriTator.com for survey *** Your prudent assistance in this matter is deeply appreciated.
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