Previous entry: 
Next entry:
Why save sex ed for the end of the year?
Just before the end of the school year, every year, my kids' schools decide to squeeze in sex education.
The letter comes home giving us the option of opting out. I never opt out, and always make sure to ask the kids what they learned.
It's funny to hear them recount the lessons. My sixth grader said her science teacher introduced the topic this way: "Let's get two words out of the way. PENIS. And VAGINA."
My fourth grader remembered only that her teacher discussed menstrual cramps. At least that's what she told me.
I love the way the schools leave these controversial lessons for the last few days of the year, post-FCAT, minimizing the ability of parents to complain. This way, by the time parents call in to talk about the lessons or ask questions, the school year is over and no one has the energy or interest to engage in discussion.
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work...
Joy Oglesby has an infant daughter and a sister 13 years her junior, whom she babies to the now-adult...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s...
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters...
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters...
Anne Vasquez is the Online Editor in charge of overseeing SunSentinel.com. She is the mother of a 5-year-old boy and a newborn daughter.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces...
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 13, and Lily, 6, and is married...
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator, and father of two boys and a girl all under the age of seven.
Comments
Here's a thought; instead of complaining about schools not doing enough how about YOU talk to YOUR child about sex. Oh yeah, I forgot teachers never do enough.
Posted by: beth | June 4, 2009 8:57 PM
Another thought may be that the lessons are given on the last days of school because the books are already collected. Those days are usually a waste anyway. At least sex ed is a productive (no pun intended) way to use the last few days of school.
Posted by: Kate | June 5, 2009 9:26 AM
Beth: bitter teacher? I hope you are not teaching any of my kids with your attitude and sarcasm. I do not see an issue in her article pointed at teachers, appears to be more at the administrators for scheduling. SO you obviously have a low level of comprehension which further troubles me. My 7th grade daughter came home after sex ed and we talked about STD's and abstinence. Both of which we had discussed previously over the past 3 years. So i would say it was a succesful program for me.
Posted by: Mike | June 5, 2009 10:09 AM
Yup, bitter would sum it up. LOVE my students but their never ending complaining parents make me feel bitter. Maybe I did misread the tone, but I don't remember reading anywhere how happy she was that someone was discussing a very touchy topic with her child. Just that there was an issue with it not being talked about in an acceptable early enough time frame. Again, maybe she was just trying to be funny in a sarcastic way but I didn't feel that the first time I read it.
I enjoy reading this blog as a parent but am concerned as a teacher. I honestly can't remember a time when I have heard a positive comment made by any of the writers about their child's teacher. So I do always try to point out that the schools and teachers really do try our best and want the best for all of our students.
Posted by: bitter beth | June 5, 2009 6:10 PM
Well, I for one am greatful of their willingness to touch on this topic, however, I also took it upon myself to make sure my daughter(13) did not hear this first from friends, teachers or the internet. Our open discussions in the past make it easy for her to come home after these lessons and dig in a bit more. So, as a teacher, I thank you, however all parents do not feel the same.
Posted by: Mike | June 5, 2009 6:22 PM
With the age of pregnancy getting lower every year, we need to start educating kids as early as possible. Shielding them from it at home and then them hearing about it later just leads to curiosity
Buy Adult Products
Posted by: Buy Adult Products | October 19, 2009 3:05 AM
This education should be throughout the year, not designated at a certain time interval idiots. What you think they will only consider or think about sex in December? wow.
Posted by: Buy Adult Products | October 19, 2009 3:12 AM