The school, the lowest ranking school in the state, has decide to introduce the entire "birds and the bees" experience over a three day period. I feel, as do the professionals and parents I have spoken with, that 9 and 10 year olds are not necessarily at a cognitive stage of developement for this information. It's bad enough that the school board has decided that "fifth grade" shall now be in middle school instead of elementary.(Our state's version of 'Animal House'")
Furthurmore, I believe this topic and how it is presented is a highly personal matter, should be presented by me, the parent, at what I know is an appropriate time and place for my child.
The school's insistence on presenting this material to him and his peers is forcing me to present my child with this personal subject ahead of what I feel is appropriate.This is unbelievable, how a public school can just steamroller into people's personal lives and "take over!" Does anyone have any experience in how to stop this?
2007-01-04 00:51:39 · 9 answers · asked by Solo Parent 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
Well...readin on what you said about the school, I would look into getting your child into another school. Does your school have school board meetings? If they do, create a petition (legal) saying that you would like this matter solved, and have other parents sign it as well.
I would also call your lawyer and ask on the legal advice for the petition.
Once the petition is signed, take it to a school board meeting. You can find out when they are by going to the school district's web page. Hope this helps.
2007-01-04 01:01:20 · answer #1 · answered by James C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I am also the parent of a 5th grader (10) who is also in a middle school, and I am also a teacher.
Unfortunately, many of my daughters friends have already decided that they are going to be sexually active. Sick isn't it? I see students everyday, 9 and 10 year-olds, who know more about the "birds and the Bees" than I did as a 18-year old.
So knowing all of this, as a parent and a teacher, I can understand why the school is trying to be proactive and trying to teach this curriculum. Most parents are NOT like you and they WANT the school to teach this because, for one they didn't learn it from their parents and many of the parents don't want to be "uncomfortable" having THOSE kind of conversations with their children.
Personally, I would contact the school's principal and the teacher who is teaching this curriculum. I would ask to sit with both of them and to have a conversation about why they think this is appropriate to teach this now and what they will specifically be teaching.(There may be other students that you or your child don't know about that are sexually active and the school is trying to cover themselves) Don't be pushy or yell just state that you have concerns and would like some clarification.
If after that meeting you are still not comfortable with the subject matter, write a letter to the teacher and principal and ask for your child to be removed from the classroom while that is being covered. Then at home I would start those conversation so that when the students start to talk about it, at least your child will have the information and it will have come from you.
I know this is difficult but our kids are growing up faster then we did. Girls are getting their periods in 3rd and 4th grade and they look 17 or 18 when they are 13. We need to protect them, but as parents we need to be in control of the situations.
Best of luck and thanks for being such an aware and caring parent.
2007-01-04 01:09:04 · answer #2 · answered by musiclady007 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can withdraw your own child from these classes and perhaps lodge a complaint with the education department as well launching a petition with any other parents who feel the same. That said, I doubt there is much you will achieve. It's not this school which decided this is a good idea but rather the education department and, if few other parents have a problem, then all you can do is stop your own child from taking part in these lessons (write a letter explaining this to the teacher and they will send him/her to another class when this subject is being taught).
2007-01-04 07:11:44 · answer #3 · answered by starchilde5 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know...the problem is many parents will choose to avoid the topic altogether with their child leaving them to their own devices and 'wisdom' of others. It should be taught in schools and right around this age because by this point, they are already getting plenty of information from not the best sources. That is the age I got 'the talk' from my mom though and I recalled that school did it around this same time. This was more than 20 years ago.
And I'd have to agree with the guy above me...given the contempt you seem to have for this school, why haven't you looked into getting your child into another school? That would seem logical if you really do care about your child's education.
2007-01-04 01:01:25 · answer #4 · answered by Sunidaze 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should first ask how it is presented - will they be explaining it very simply and basicly for the kids?
You know I do respect your right as a parent but kids now learn this stuff early - would you rather some kid on the street told him?
Education is vital in my opinion. Lack of education and an immature attitude is why girls at my school were falling pregnant at 13, 14, 15 and in one local case - 12.
I think kids need to know this stuff - not the nitty gritty - but the basic 'where babies come from' and why its not something that should be taken lightly as soon as possible.
2007-01-04 01:04:25 · answer #5 · answered by gwen 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Children know way more about sex than you may think! I knew about sex when I was 7 or 8. Did I know everything there is to know and was I given the correct information by my peers? No, but at that age I believe it is necessary to inform them of the basics. They of course don't need to know all of the dirty details, but it definitely helps clear up the confusion children face when their peers talk about it. Also... a lot of girls menstruate very early and this is another reason why it should be discussed early on. (I wouldn't any earlier, but this is about the right age).
2007-01-04 02:09:07 · answer #6 · answered by Holy Macaroni! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
contact your local school board and regiester a complaint, they can then expalin what standards they are using to teach the class. There may be other reason for this class, and this timing
2007-01-04 01:01:05 · answer #7 · answered by Wicked 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Before they start teaching it do you not sign a permission form? When my children started learning it in school, I had to sign a form or two that stated that it was ok and that they had my permission to teach it to my children
2007-01-04 01:01:30 · answer #8 · answered by sunshineandlollypops2002 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Would you rather they teach parenting 101?
2007-01-04 00:57:45 · answer #9 · answered by reznap12 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋