I would normally not feel compelled to comment on a subject such as sex education, but it seems to me that this vital part of a child's education has been getting a bad reputation lately for no good reason. I am glad to see that public education officials in Broward County are not allowing themselves to be bullied by people who are being manipulated by others to further political agendas that harm us all.

Sexual education may be an uncomfortable subject to some, but it is also an important one that should not be ignored. If someone really has an objection to it then they can opt out of the curriculum as the rules are now. Therefore, there is no need to curb sexual education any further. Research has shown that a decent sex ed curriculum reduces the chances for children to be sexually abused or even groomed for such abuse, and risky behaviors and incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases decrease as well. Who could be against any of that?

Kids grow up, and the best way forward for them is through education and understanding, not by trying to hide behind an ideal of innocence. Kids need a trusted source for this information so they can do better for themselves, which is what they are eventually going to have to do anyway. It's best that some education in this area can be provided in a public and consistent way such as a science class so what is being taught has some credibility to it.

I appreciate the current efforts to create the Reproductive Health and Disease Prevention Education Materials that are up for consideration and I urge them to be adopted for use in Broward public schools right away.

I am a parent of an 8th grader, and I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the School District staff for their dedicated efforts in working to create the sexual health education curricula in Broward County. This curriculum is medically accurate, age and developmentally appropriate, inclusive, trauma informed and culturally sensitive. It covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, consent, healthy relationships, and contraception. Studies from respected organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have REPEATEDLY shown that kids who receive this type of sex education are SAFER from grooming and child abuse. Research supports the effectiveness of sexual health education in reducing risky behaviors such as early sexual initiation and unprotected sex. By promoting responsible sexual behavior, it contributes to a decline in unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. A trauma-informed approach is essential in sexual health education. It recognizes and addresses the potential impact of trauma on students. By creating a safe and supportive learning environment, this approach can make a significant difference in the lives of students who have experienced trauma. We have strong community support for this curriculum. Numerous organizations, parents, and community members stand behind it because they understand the importance of equipping our students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of sexual health responsibly. Sexual health education is crucial for our students' well-being. The proposed curriculum aligns with Florida statutes, respects diversity, and has robust community support. Thank you for your efforts to create these robust sexual health education curricula, and I urge the school board to support the proposed curriculum today.

I am a parent of an 8th grader, and I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the School District staff for their dedicated efforts in working to create the sexual health education curricula in Broward County. This curriculum is medically accurate, age and developmentally appropriate, inclusive, trauma informed and culturally sensitive. It covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, consent, healthy relationships, and contraception. Studies from respected organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have REPEATEDLY shown that kids who receive this type of sex education are SAFER from grooming and child abuse. Research supports the effectiveness of sexual health education in reducing risky behaviors such as early sexual initiation and unprotected sex. By promoting responsible sexual behavior, it contributes to a decline in unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. A trauma-informed approach is essential in sexual health education. It recognizes and addresses the potential impact of trauma on students. By creating a safe and supportive learning environment, this approach can make a significant difference in the lives of students who have experienced trauma. We have strong community support for this curriculum. Numerous organizations, parents, and community members stand behind it because they understand the importance of equipping our students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of sexual health responsibly. Sexual health education is crucial for our students' well-being. The proposed curriculum aligns with Florida statutes, respects diversity, and has robust community support. Thank you for your efforts to create these robust sexual health education curricula, and I urge the school board to support the proposed curriculum today.

My name is Dr. Trudy Jermanovich of Fort Lauderdale.
I’m here in support of Item I-1, the Reproductive Health and Disease Prevention Education Program.

I’m pleased to report that this curriculum was presented, as it should be, to many people throughout the district. The looping process was used to survey opinions on the curriculum from parents, teachers, and the public. A coherent curriculum with annotated pages has been made available as part of this item. As has been done since the 1970’s, a Parental Permission Slip will be sent to all parents with the ability to have their child OPT OUT of the program.

As has been in the past, I’m sure that the Program will be utilized by most students and parents in Broward County. This is a vital part of education for all Broward students and has been in Florida’s state statutes for many years.

After this curriculum is approved by the Board, it will be very important to provide proper staff development, particularly for principals and teachers who have not previously taught this component of Health Education. Please remember that many teachers have extra jobs so they will have little free time for this training. Please pay them their hourly rate if they must attend this training after school hours. It may be necessary to give the option of having a sub for those who have multiple jobs. This money may not have been calculated in this item because it says, “No Financial Impact to the District.” The training must be available to all who are to successfully implement the program.
I’m pleased that this process, which has been going on since January will, hopefully, lead to students becoming informed citizens on this important topic. The Board must now look toward the training of teachers and the implementation of the program.

I urge you to approve Item I-1