Medford Schools to Introduce Updated Puberty Curriculum
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
05/08/2024
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Recording Published:
05/08/2024
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Duration:
21 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Medford
- Meeting Overview:
The Medford School Committee recently discussed a update to the health and physical education curriculum, with a focus on the introduction of the “Puberty Happens” program for fifth graders. The new curriculum was chosen based on recommendations and aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of puberty, including both physical and emotional changes. The program will be presented in Nexus classes by trained teachers and nurses.
The “Puberty Happens” curriculum will include various activities designed to create a comfortable learning environment. These activities will range from warm-up icebreakers to foster understanding among students to the establishment of classroom agreements and an anonymous question box for sensitive inquiries. The curriculum seeks to engage students in discussions about the physical, emotional, and social aspects of puberty. It also addresses scenarios students might encounter, such as teasing or voice changes, and includes a supplemental home activity to encourage dialogue between students and their parents or caregivers.
One of the key components of the final lesson will be education on hygiene and body care, explicitly including discussions about sexual organs and menstrual cycle care. In response to a query about the inclusion of topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity, the curriculum’s primary focus was clarified to be the changes that occur in the body during puberty.
The committee also addressed the inclusivity of the curriculum, acknowledging the effort to use language that supports non-binary students and recognizes diverse family structures. This inclusive approach was appreciated by members of the committee. In addition to the curriculum discussion, there was mention of the installation of feminine product dispensers in school bathrooms.
Further, the committee discussed the support available for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Parents and caregivers were also invited to reach out for one-on-one meetings to discuss the curriculum in more detail.
Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent
School Board Officials:
Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Nicole Branley, Jenny Graham, John Intoppa, Aaron Olapade, Erika Reinfeld, Paul Ruseau
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
05/08/2024
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Recording Published:
05/08/2024
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Duration:
21 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Medford
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