Important Notice From The MS Counselors About Upcoming Wellness Lessons

Dear MS Parent/Guardian,

Because your child’s health is important to us, we are writing to inform you of an upcoming unit on Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) in our Wellness classes.

The purpose of Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) is to provide knowledge and understanding of how the human body changes during puberty, and the processes of human reproduction within the context of relationships based on love and respect. Students will develop understanding and attitudes, which will help them to form healthy and happy relationships.

If young people can start their transition into adulthood with good information and the confidence and knowledge to understand what is happening to them, they will hopefully grow into confident and healthy adults able to make positive choices. This can start with learning the basics about growing up and the sessions in school may reinforce what you are already doing at home.

The key aims of SRE are to:

1. Provide accurate and relevant information about the physical and emotional changes that children and young people will experience through adolescence and into adulthood.
2. Foster students’ self-awareness and self-esteem.
3. Develop students’ sense of responsibility and respect for themselves and others.
4. Acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes, and values that inform responsible decision-making.

All teaching materials are developmentally appropriate to the age and emotional maturity of the students. The content will be presented in an objective, balanced and sensitive manner.  Our approach is based on evidence-based resources that focus on identifying and choosing behaviors that keep them physically and psychologically safe and healthy.

The program will cover:

1. Values and Positive Relationships (grades 6-8)
2. Puberty (physical, emotional and social changes) (grades 6 and 7)
3. Personal Hygiene (grade 6)
4. Reproduction and conception (grade 7)
5. Self esteem and body image (grade 7)
6. Coping with peer pressure (grade 7 and 8)
7. Reducing risk in relationship (grade 8)

Our next Counselor Connection for parents will be held on Thursday, March 6, and will focus on Human Growth & Development in adolescence.  We will specifically address the topics covered by grade level in Wellness and explore how to talk to your child.  Details are provided in this MS eNews.  Additional resources that may help in your conversations with your child:

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/puberty/Pages/Puberty-and-Parents.aspx

https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/resources-and-publications/info/parents/

https://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/talk_about_puberty.html

We appreciate the role of parents, guardians and families in building values and supporting positive choices. If you have any questions or concerns about the curriculum or materials, please contact your child’s school counselor.  The grade 6 and 7 program will begin next week; the grade 8 program will begin the last week of March.

Warm regards,