Medway Public Schools
Medway, MA

MEDWAY HIGH SCHOOL
OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL

                                                                             September 2007

Dear Parent/Guardian:

          In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 32A, the Medway School Committee has adopted a notification policy on the rights of parents/guardians of students in relation to curriculum that primarily involves human sexuality education or human sexuality issues.

          In the coming weeks, your child will be studying a unit on human sexuality taught by the Health Education Department.  This unit is one part of the Medway Public Schools health curriculum for grades six through twelve.

          At the high school level, human sexuality includes:  human reproductive physiology, fetal growth and development, sexually transmitted diseases, abstinence and protection, dating relationships, and AIDS/HIV education.  These topics are a part of the state mandated Health Frameworks in Massachusetts.  There is a focus on responsibility and respect of self and others.  We encourage you to discuss this unit of study with your child as he/she progresses through the lessons.

          We believe the Health Education program will provide students with the accurate information needed to enable them to make healthy decisions in the face of the unrealistic and often unhealthy messages that bombard them in our society.  However, the Department of Education and Medway Public Schools respect the right of the family to make final decisions about sensitive and personal issues.  Parents/guardians may contact the health teacher or principal in order to arrange a preview of the health program instructional materials.  If you do not wish your child to take part in any of the units relating to human sexuality issues, a brief note to your child's health teacher or principal requesting that your child not take part will be honored.  Please make this request by September 29.  If you make such a request, your child will be asked to do a research paper or other appropriate assignment during the time of the absence from the program.  The grade given for the paper or other assignment will replace the grade given for the human sexuality unit.