by Sue | Feb 18, 2017 | Education, Sex Ed in the Schools
February 18, 2017
Updated on May 19, 2017 (See below)
In Washington State, “middle school and high school students can’t get a Coca-Cola or a candy bar at 13 Seattle public schools, but they can get a taxpayer-funded intrauterine device (IUD) implanted without their parent’s consent.
“School-based health clinics (SBHCs) in at least 13 Seattle-area public high schools and middle schools offer long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), including IUDs and hormonal implants, to students in sixth-grade and above at no cost, according to Washington State officials.
“LARCs are associated with serious side effects, such as uterine perforation and infection. IUDs, specifically, can also act as abortifacients by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg.
“The state and federally funded contraceptive services are made possible by Take Charge, a Washington State Medicaid program which provides free birth control to adults who are uninsured, lack contraceptive coverage, have an income at or below 260 percent of the Federal Poverty Level – or in this case, to teens who don’t want their parents to know they’re on birth control.” (from CNSNews.com)
At last count, there are school-based health clinics in 38 school districts, including Jefferson County. And if the Port Angeles School District gets its way, theirs will be the 39th.
A proposal for a school-based health clinic made to the Port Angeles School Board (PASB) has had its first reading, and is close to being implemented. In the proposal, Marlene Bradow, the author and a nurse at Stevens Middle School, states, “Contraception would be available to students, which would include patient teaching. This is a controversial issue, however, state law allows anyone at any age to seek out reproductive services without parental consent.” Mental health counseling would also be provided.
Guttmacher Institute, a pro-abortion organization, states in one report, “SBHCs provide a range of sexual and reproductive health services; however, since the inception of these centers, heated debates have raged in communities across the country over whether they should provide contraceptives on-site. At the same time, a number of SBHCs that are committed to reducing teen pregnancy are working within their communities to overcome opposition and provide contraceptive care.”
CNS News further reports: “In an email exchange with the Washington State Health Care Authority and CNSNews.com, a Take Charge spokesperson acknowledged that underage students are eligible for a “full array of covered family planning services” at school-based clinics if their parents meet the program’s requirements.
“Take Charge added that “a student who does not want their parents to know they are seeking reproductive health services is allowed to apply for Take Charge using their own income, and if they are insured under their parents’ plan, the insurance would not be billed.”
“When asked if a sixth grader could get an IUD implanted without parental consent, Take Charge told CNSNews.com: “We encourage all Take Charge providers to offer long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) in their clinics. A young person does not need parental consent to obtain a LARC or any other contraceptive method…If the young person is not choosing abstinence, she would be able to select a LARC and have it inserted without parental consent.”
Do you think a school-based health clinic incorporating contraceptives and possible referral for abortions without parental consent or knowledge is a good idea for the Port Angeles School District?
Contact the Port Angeles School Board with your thoughts – and send us a copy. Or show up at the next meeting (Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.) when they are scheduled for a second hearing on the matter and let your voice be heard.
Email and phone contact Information for the school board can be found at: www.portangelesschools.org/administration/school_board
UPDATE: May 19, 2017 – The school-based health clinic will be open for discussion at the Port Angeles School Board meeting on May 24, 2017 starting at 7 p.m. at the Port Angeles High School.
The issue is scheduled to be voted upon at the June 8, 2017 meeting at the Central Services Building.
by Sue | Dec 16, 2016 | Education
“You’re Teaching My Child WHAT?!”
The FLASH curriculum originated in King County, WA, and was written by Elizabeth “Beth” Reis According to her “LinkedIn” page (https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-reis-0715077), she is also affiliated with Safe Schools Coalition (http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/) a public-private partnership in support of “gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender queer and questioning youth”, whose member organizations include: http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/about_us.html#OurMemberOrganizations and is well-known for her activism toward gay marriage in Washington State.
According to http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Beth-Reis/5825114, she is co-chair of Safe Schools Coalition. (She was formerly employed by Planned Parenthood.) Falling under the somewhat interesting title of “Family Life and Sexual Health,” it starts at the 4th grade level, covering sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, includes adult definitions of various parts of the body and how they work, and defines “gender roles,” in addition to “self-esteem”.
As a note to the parents, the introduction to the curriculum states: “Sexuality education is a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming attitudes, beliefs, and values about identity, relationships, and intimacy. It encompasses sexual development, reproductive health, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy, body image, and gender roles.” (Scroll down on that page for some interesting topics.)
An overview of some of the curriculum is posted on the King County website.
Sample lessons can be seen here: www.etr.org/flash/about-flash/sample-lessons/, and although the paragraphs offered seem rather innocuous, if you click into the links, and then the links on the documents that come up, you will begin to see why many parents are concerned. For instance, take a look at Reproductive System, Day 2 – for 4th graders .
Under the section Middle School, here is a sample of what is taught: http://www.etr.org/flash/f/middle-school/facts-about-stds/
For a sample of what high school students learn, click on High School Lesson 9 Sample, and then click on the “script” under Activity 2.
Does your school district use the FLASH curriculum? Check out page 38 on this document to see (Port Angeles School District is not listed, as they just passed it in late 2016): (This document is from 2007 – how many schools have been added since then?) http://www.prochoicewashington.org/assets/bin/pdfs/healthyyouthalliancereport.pdf
To learn more about the dangers of this type of curriculum, read the following article: https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/ontarios-dangerous-sex-ed-is-indoctrination-not-science-says-u.s.-psychiatr, then watch Dr. Miriam Grossman’s video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IeKSCHXs-0
and read the article below for some further insights about the effects of this curriculum.
Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) of 1978, sometimes referred to as the Hatch Amendment, all sexual education instructional materials must be available for parent inspection. Parents have the right to exempt their child from sexual education instruction at any time. Have you been notified by the school of this right, and offered the opportunity to review the curriculum and class lessons your child will be taught? If you wish to opt your child, you might review the website “Show and Tell for Parents.“
If you determine that you have concerns about the FLASH curriculum (or any other curriculum being taught, for that matter), consider getting involved with your local school district, by running for the position of a school board member.
Abstinence vs. Family Life and Sexual Health, FLASH
by Susan Shotthafer,
elected school board member, Port Angeles School District
December 2016
I examined 3 levels of curriculum for Family Life and Sexual Health known as FLASH. I found the middle school FLASH approach considerably different than the high school approach, more thoughtful and conscientious, likely because of differences in authors.
I think a much of the middle school curriculum is appropriate, but it lacks sufficient deterrence to premature sex. Without wise proactive parental guidance, I think this program could leave middle school students confused and unconvinced to decide on abstinence.
High School FLASH, claiming to be age appropriate, uses the same curriculum for 9th through 12th grades. Don’t maturity differences exist from 9th through 12th grade?
Flash, risk-reduction not risk avoidance, incorporates National Health Education Standards. We must use all of the curriculum, after approval. (more…)
by Sue | Sep 24, 2016 | Education
Report on Washington State School Directors Association’s
2016-2017 Legislative Priorities
by Susan Shotthafer,
Elected Port Angeles School Board Member
Posted 9/25/2016
2016 Current WASSDA Priorities for WA Legislature
On September 19th, 168 school leaders representing 82 districts attended WSSDA’s annual Legislative Assembly. The Assembly approved 39 new positions, added nine Standing Legislative Positions, amended six, and eliminated seven. Then, the districts in attendance voted for their top 10 legislative priorities. Results of the vote will be considered by the Legislative Committee in October, and a “short list” of top priorities for 2016 will be adopted by the Board of Directors in November.
- Simple Majority for Bonds in November General Elections WSSDA supports legislation to allow passage of bonds with a simple majority vote in November general elections. (Introduced 2015)
- School Construction (SLP 7.1.16) WSSDA supports “ample provision” for school construction through state policies that:
(more…)
