After many parent group protests, the new, sensitive sex ed curriculum will be taught in Ontario public schools. Teacher training sessions have been happening and implementation will happen in the New Year.
P.E.A.C.E. research clearly shows that Comprehensive Sex Education does not lead to improved health and could negatively influence children to make decisions that compromise their faith – unless parents get involved.
What should parents do, and will the school board respond?
The good news is the Ministry of Education and their legal counsel support concerned parents. Parents who ENGAGE with the P.E.A.C.E.-ful process are positively influencing the lives of their children, and being accommodated in school.
An Oshawa parent followed the P.E.A.C.E.-ful process, took the PEACE Parent Forms in to their school and received a letter from the superintendent of education thanking the them for the positive communication that will help the school to more effectively address the learning of the child. South-Western Ontario parents tell us the school board has embraced the forms and the alternative curriculum resources. Even parents in Toronto have shared that the teachers and principals have accepted the forms.
God’s Design for Sex
Wonderfully Made
- God’s Design for Sex Series helps parents to communicate with children
- Parent Communication Form – help parents to clearly communicate sensitive lesson content
- Wonderfully Made – alternative independent study units students are using instead of going to sex ed class
On May 11, 2015, the Ministry of Education sent a memorandum to School Board chairs, communicating should parents wish to discuss possible accommodation, including exemptions, it is expected that these requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and that reasonable alternative activities be offered. Although discussing your concerns directly with the principal may be uncomfortable, parents find that the P.E.A.C.E. Parent Communication Form and the interview guidelines help.
Further, a legal opinion, (“What School Leaders Need to Know About the Revised Health and Physical Education Curriculum”) published in the October edition of The Ontario Principals Council newsletter, supports parents. The article stated,
“The school leader should be respectful and thoughtful in these discussions (with parents) and attempt to understand the parent’s concerns……The school board should take all reasonable steps to provide accommodation to individual members of a religious group to facilitate their religious beliefs and practices. All accommodation requests should be taken seriously. No person should be penalized for making an accommodation request.”
Eric M. Roher, “What School Leaders Need to Know About the Revised Health and Physical Education Curriculum”
Faith parents, the ball is in our court. The Ministry of Education and legal counsel affirm that principals are to listen to parents and take their requests seriously. P.E.A.C.E. has a process, resources and training to help parents to positively engage with their school in a winsome manner.
Parents, please go to the P.E.A.C.E. website link and learn how to advocate for your children in our public schools.
________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENT….
P.E.A.C.E. Parent Support Webinar – February 2016
As sex ed is more likely to be taught near the end of the second semester, parents need to prepare. To assist parents we are planning a parent support webinar that will happen once a week during the month of February. More details will be shared in an end-of-year email and on the website.
PARTNER with P.E.A.C.E.
Thank you for financially investing in the children of Ontario. With your support PEACE was able to complete 53 community presentations across Ontario, develop our on-line resources, provide parent support and training, and assist community groups in numerous parts of the province. We have also caught the interest and attention of groups in British Columbia, Alberta, and a number of US states.
P.E.A.C.E. depends upon your support. Please consider what you may be able to contribute to enable us to continue developing and distributing materials that help parents to be the primary educators of their children, build positive relations with the schools, and seek learning accommodations for their children.