Letter to Families
With the shift to The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), our Science department has integrated the California Health Standards (2008) into all three grades. This includes topics of drugs, reproduction, and decision making. In 6th grade, students study drug classifications, drug use and its impact as well as eating disorders. In 7th grade, students study hormones, puberty, reproductive anatomy, pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections. And in 8th grade, students will review the impacts of drugs, sexually transmitted infections, and contraception. A common thread emphasized throughout all three years is a focus on healthy friendships, future goals, and making informed decisions.
Additionally, the California Healthy Youth Act (2015), requires that comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education be provided to students at least once in middle school or junior high school and once in high school, starting in grade 7. Instruction must encourage students to communicate with parents, guardians or other trusted adults about human sexuality. Instruction must be medically accurate, age-appropriate and inclusive of all students.
The California Healthy Youth Act specifically includes the following:
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Information about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including transmission, FDA approved methods to prevent HIV and STIs, and treatments
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Information that abstinence is the only certain way to prevent unintended pregnancy and HIV and other STIs, and information about value of delaying sexual activity
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Discussion about social views of HIV and AIDS
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Information about accessing resources for sexual and reproductive health care
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Information about pregnancy, including FDA approved prevention methods, pregnancy outcomes, prenatal care, and the newborn safe surrender law
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Information about sexual orientation and gender, including the harm of negative gender stereotypes
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Information about healthy relationships and avoiding unhealthy behaviors and situations
You can examine instructional materials for all topics in the curriculum binder located in the textbook office by appointment. If you have questions, please see the teacher or principal. You can view the entire California Healthy Youth Act (California Education Code Sections 51930-51939) at the California Department of Education web site.
State law allows you to remove your student from any or all of this instruction. If you do not want your student to participate, please give a written request to the school by the beginning of the third quarter.
In 6th grade, we will integrate these topics into our study of human body systems:
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Types of drugs (stimulants vs depressants)
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How stimulants and depressants impact the different systems of the human body
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Eating disorders and how they impact the different systems of the human body
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Tools and strategies for making healthy and positive decisions
In 7th grade, we will specifically cover:
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Gender identity, gender expression, and gender biology
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Male and female reproductive organs and their functions
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The roles hormones play in adolescent development.
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Recognition of adolescence as a normal period of physical and emotional change and development.
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STI and HIV/AIDS (transmission, prevention, treatment, myths)
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Pregnancy and contraception methods
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Sexual assault and consent
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Tools and strategies for making healthy and positive decisions.
In 8th grade we will specifically cover:
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Review of types of drugs (stimulants vs depressants)
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Review of impacts of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana on the body and mind
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Discussion of additional commonly abused drugs (opiates, cocaine, hallucinogens, steroids, prescription drugs, etc) and their impacts
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Review and discussion of STIs (how they are spread and if they can be treated) and contraception
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Discussion of peer pressure and healthy ways to deal with it now and in high school
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Tools and strategies for making healthy and positive decisions
Please feel free to contact your child’s Science teacher if you have any further questions or concerns.
