AP 211

Health (Human Sexuality)

Background 


The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidelines with respect to the teaching of the physical and health education curriculum, specifically the components related to human sexuality. 

Procedures 


  1. Instruction related to health and sexuality must first and foremost comply with the Ministry of Education and Child Care curriculum standards and include content on individual identities, including sexual identity, gender, values, and beliefs. 
  2. In the area of human sexuality instruction, options for healthy sexual decision making, including the benefits of abstinence, will be taught. 
  3. When human sexuality is discussed in any school district context, be that of the Health portion of the Physical and Health Education (K to 7 and 8 and 9) or any other curricular areas, the instruction and resources will be age-appropriate. 
  4. Teachers who are asked questions about sensitive issues related to the curriculum will take into account the age of the students when deciding on the amount of detail to be given in the response. 
  5. Teachers must respect the privacy of students and will refrain from asking intrusive and personal questions about them or their family. 
  6. When discussing contraceptives in relation to STDs/STIs and pregnancy, students must be informed about the associated health risks and failure rates. 
  7. Student instruction in these areas will follow the Abbotsford School Board approved resources and curriculum. These resources are available at each school or through the START Resources Centre. Training is available to teachers instructing the curriculum within this procedure. 
  8. The health curriculum must be open to review by parents and the community. Students should also be encouraged to have open communication with their parents. 
  9. All outside speakers (on or off school-site) must be approved by the principal. Speakers must be made aware of and follow District procedures. Outside speakers will never be left alone with student(s); the teacher is responsible for the student(s) and must always be present. School-wide speakers must be approved by the Superintendent. 
  10. Teachers should use their professional judgment to decide if it is appropriate for students to be separated by grade and/or by gender for instruction. 
  11. Parents/guardians have the right to opt for alternate delivery of specific prescribed learning standards in the Physical and Health Education curriculum. AP 211-1 Letter to Parents re: Sensitive Topics will be distributed to parents/guardians of all students, prior to delivery of the curriculum.
  12. Parents are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the classroom teacher. If parents choose the alternate delivery option, they will be given access to the prescribed learning standards and recommended learning resources as outlined in the Ministry of Education and Child Care curriculum documents. Parents will be required to provide a written explanation of how the student will achieve the learning standards and demonstrate the knowledge of the Health topics that they have chosen to learn in an alternative manner. Evidence of learning will be established between parent and teacher.
  13. Two weeks prior to delivery of the personal development curriculum to students, a letter will be sent home advising parents they will have an opportunity to review the learning resources (AP 211-1 Letter to Parents re: Sensitive Topics)

Glossary of Terms

  • PHE  - Physical and Health Education
  • STD  - Sexually Transmitted Disease
  • STI  - Sexually Transmitted Infection

References


AP 301 – Access to Students
AP 301-1 Guest Presenter Agreement

Last Revised: July 2017
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