What is “Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education Workshop for Grades 7-10”?
OWL models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It helps adolescents address their attitudes, values, and feelings about themselves, their sexuality, and others’ sexuality. Participants are guided by trained facilitators through an engaging curriculum that addresses topics most important to young adolescents, including those typically excluded from sexuality education and health classes.
Where and when are the classes?
Classes will be held at UUC Surprise on the third Sunday of the month from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with an hour lunch break. Class Dates are 9/17, 10/15, 11/19, 12/17, 1/21.
Why is a mandatory parent orientation required for youth to participate in the Our Whole Lives Workshop?
It is important that parents be as informed as possible about what is happening in the Our Whole Lives program. Part of Our Whole Lives’s philosophy is that parents are their children’s primary sexuality educators. The orientation helps prepare a parent for some of the kinds of questions that come up when their child is participating in Our Whole Lives.
Who should plan on attending this Parent Orientation?
Parents considering enrolling their youth in the program must attend the Parent Orientation Meeting on August 19th from 4:00-6:30 p.m. We strongly recommend all legal parents of minor participants attend. We will explain the program goals and collect signed parental consent forms. This orientation is for parents; it is not recommended for youth to attend. This program is offered to families in the UUCS congregation and members of the community at large who are in agreement with the principles of the OWL program values.
Any OWL parent unable to attend this orientation should contact Lisa Lawrence, Director of Family Ministry [email protected]
Who needs to sign parental consent forms?
All legal parents of the youth must sign consent forms. If divorced parents share legal custody, then yes, we will require a signature from both parents. If divorced parents do not have joint custody, and the divorce agreement clearly stipulates that the custodial parent may make decisions regarding their child’s education without consulting the non-custodial parent, then only the signature of the parent with sole legal custody will be required. If a child has a step-parent in the home, their signature will be required as well.