File: IHAM-I-E

SAMPLE NOTICE TO PARENT/GUARDIANS

[Date]

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Enclosed is an outline of our school's grade 7 and 8 comprehensive health education curriculum. This program has been developed by our professional staff under the guidance of the community health education advisory council. The overall goal of the course is to continue efforts begun in earlier grades to promote the health and well-being of our students, and to help them make wise and informed decisions during their teen-age years and beyond.

Sex education is part of the health education curriculum in grades 7 and 8, including topics such as puberty; dating; relationships and communication skills; pregnancy; birth control; abortion; homosexuality; prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; and prevention of sexual abuse. The instructional materials we use for the course include a curriculum package and a video, listed on the enclosed outline. If you would like to review these materials at the school, you are welcome to do so. Please call me to arrange a convenient time.

During the course, students will be able to ask questions, which will be answered factually and in an age-appropriate manner. Each students' privacy will be respected, and no one will be put on the spot to ask or answer questions or reveal personal information. Material will be presented in a balanced, factual way that makes clear that people may have strong religious and moral beliefs about issues such as birth control and abortion, and that these beliefs must be respected.

Under Massachusetts law and School Committee policy, you may exempt your child from any portion of the curriculum that primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues. To receive an exemption, simply send me a letter requesting an exemption for your child. No student who is exempted from this portion of the curriculum will be penalized. We may provide an alternative assignment to students who are exempted. We look forward to working with you to ensure that your child has a positive and educationally enriching experience this school year. If you have any questions about sex education or any other matter concerning your child's education, please call me.

Sincerely,

Principal

[Phone Number]

Enclosure: [course outline; list of curriculum materials for sex education]

Agawam Public Schools