Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child’s Eighth grade science class will be starting a unit on comprehensive sexual health and HIV/AIDS. The content of the course includes the physical anatomy of the human reproductive system in males and females and how sexual activity may lead to fertilization and pregnancy. It is our intention that these issues be approached objectively, within good judgment, whether this be in the form of class discussion, outside speakers, reading material, or films. The California Healthy Youth Act requires school districts to ensure all pupils receive comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education.
The California Healthy Youth Act has five primary purposes:
To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect their sexual and reproductive health from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and from unintended pregnancy;
To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to develop healthy attitudes concerning adolescent growth and development, body image, gender, sexual orientation, relationships, marriage, and family;
To promote understanding of sexuality as a normal part of human development;
To ensure pupils receive integrated, comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased sexual health and HIV prevention instruction and provide educators with clear tools and guidance to accomplish that end;
To provide pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to have healthy, positive, and safe relationships and behaviors.
Legislation requires that parents be informed in writing when a course includes instruction relating to the human reproductive system and sexually transmitted diseases. Modesto City Schools has partnered with The Modesto Pregnancy Center for classroom presentations appropriate to the eighth-grade level. If you so desire, you may request in writing that your student be excused from attending class sessions where topics relate to human reproduction and sexually transmitted diseases. Your child will be given an alternate assignment during those periods and will not be penalized.
Modesto City Schools has scheduled a Parent Preview and Information night for December 6, 2022 at 6:30pm held virtually via Microsoft Teams. A link to this meeting will be made available on your child’s school website. If you are unable to attend the Parent Preview and wish to review the materials, please call the school to make arrangements.