Helena Sex Ed

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By Sarah Gravlee

Story Published: Jul 14, 2010 at 7:14 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 15, 2010 at 10:04 AM MDT

BILLINGS - Parents are battling it out over sex education in one Montana school district. A proposal in Helena is getting national attention.

Hundreds of parents crowded a school board meeting in the state capitol Tuesday night. At issue, a new health education curriculum some parents say goes too far.

"From a parents perspective you are introducing way too much way too soon," parent Brandy Hoyt said to the school board Tuesday night.

Superintendent Bruce Messinger said the program has been largely misunderstood. It's being reported that kindergarteners would be taught proper anatomical terms. First graders would learn sexual relations can happen between two men or two women, and fifth graders could learn the various ways people can have intercourse. Messinger said these topics would be covered throughout a student's education and not in specific grades.

"I think there's been some misrepresentation of what's actually in the curriculum, which has created more attention than it deserves," he said. "I mean we're certainly not the only school district in America that has a human sexuality curriculum."

Still the proposal brought 500 people two hours of public comment to a school board's second reading. Messinger said the board would look to clarify its curriculum before a final vote.

"That might help answer questions and ease some concern to help folks better understand what's in the document and how it would be used to lower the anxiety," Messinger said. "And there will be folks who still just don't agree with the content."

The school board is expected to make a final decision at its August 10th meeting.

Not everyone is against the proposed curriculum. Supporters said it contains honest science-based information that can help students make decisions about their health and sexuality.

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Elmer said on Thursday, Jul 15 at 1:56 PM

teach the parents first, we like to watch

PARENT said on Thursday, Jul 15 at 9:21 AM

There has to be an "AUTHORIZATION FORM" signed by a parent/guardian for the student to attend/view. We/Parents have complete control over if our child/student attends. I am sure alot of children/students will not be attending. As far as funding a program , all the resources/information is available for free on-line/libraries. I don't see the need for our money to fund this when all resourceful information on this TOPIC is free.

Guy said on Thursday, Jul 15 at 9:03 AM

" It takes away the rights of the parents to decide when and how much information to give their kids!"-- Wrong. Parents can opt out. "If this passes in Helena it is only a matter of time before it is state wide!" -- The slippery slope argument is a fallacious one. The Helena school district does not dictate to other districts across the state. "what about the parents and students Christian beliefs are that homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord..do they not get a say in this?" -- Yes, they can opt out. "The schools are taking WAY to much on themselves!" -- Schools are educators; many parents fail to teach important information regarding sexual health, leading to teen pregnancies and STD's. For those parent's that feel that they can do the education themselves, they can opt out. Being against the curriculum, using logical arguments is one thing; irrationally crying injury over false assumptions is another.

Guy said on Thursday, Jul 15 at 9:02 AM

" It takes away the rights of the parents to decide when and how much information to give their kids!"-- Wrong. Parents can opt out. "If this passes in Helena it is only a matter of time before it is state wide!" -- The slippery slope argument is a fallacious one. The Helena school district does not dictate to other districts across the state. "what about the parents and students Christian beliefs are that homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord..do they not get a say in this?" -- Yes, they can opt out. "The schools are taking WAY to much on themselves!" -- Schools are educators; many parents fail to teach important information regarding sexual health, leading to teen pregnancies and STD's. For those parent's that feel that they can do the education themselves, they can opt out. Being against the curriculum, using logical arguments is one thing; irrationally crying injury over false assumptions is another.

kj said on Wednesday, Jul 14 at 10:44 PM

I can't see how ANY one can be okay with them teaching kids sexual positions. At ANY grade level. When did (supposed) sexual education become a how to guide?

Leda said on Wednesday, Jul 14 at 10:01 PM

I think this is a DISGUSTING curriculum! It takes away the rights of the parents to decide when and how much information to give their kids! I know that if I still had school age children, it would cause me enough concern to consider home schooling my child! There is NO WAY that I would allow the school system to decide when my kids learn about sex! If this passes in Helena it is only a matter of time before it is state wide! Every parent in the state should be worried! Thank God my son is in college now. Speaking of God, what about the parents and students Christian beliefs are that homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord..do they not get a say in this? Where are the moral boundaries going to come into play? The schools are taking WAY to much on themselves! Why not invest the money that this program costs into sports, drama, arts, and music programs instead! Surely there are better ways to spend those funds than taking away the rights of the parents!

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