NSSD K-5 Health Curriculum
December 2019
District Overview
In the Spring of 2018, the North Santiam School District (NSSD) completed a process to adopt new Health Educational materials to respond to the revised Health Education Standards by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). Due to the sensitivity of new Health Standards, the District has completed a process with staff and parent involvement to ensure Health instruction in NSSD is developmentally appropriate and is clearly communicated.
The curriculum has 10 units and each unit has four core lessons each month. These Health education materials are engaging, easy to understand and informative. This curriculum has also allowed the District the ability to tailor the delivery of units to better suit the needs and concerns expressed by parents and teachers. With health education come traditional topics such as safety, feelings, illnesses, hygiene and families, as well as some more delicate issues.
Teachers and parents have expressed concern over some sensitive topics, and as a result we modified how they will be covered to offer a more developmentally and age appropriate health instruction in NSSD.
These include:
K-2 - modified anatomically correct language of body parts and in-depth learning about HIV
3-5 - modified anatomically correct language of reproductive organs, identity issues, sexual orientation, HIV and abstinence. Grade 5 student pamphlet identifies anatomically correct language. Any opt out for this content would be for the entire month.
Although the identifying names of topics being studied may be concerning to parents, the curriculum is highly developmentally appropriate to how these topics are covered with students.
Parents have the right to opt their child out from receiving this instruction. The District strongly encourages parents to preview the materials prior to opting out of instruction so that they may make the most informed decision possible. A page has been dedicated on the District website where parents can become informed on the process used in NSSD, what’s being covered and the opt out process. Please visit the District website at nsantiam.k12.or.us and go to Departments > Curriculum & Instruction > Health Instruction or use this link: http://bit.ly/NSSDhealth
If you are interested in viewing the curriculum, you may make an appointment by contacting the Instructional Support and Services Team (ISST) at 503-769-1582. We are happy to answer any questions that you have and have all materials available for review. Materials are also available by signing up with the Great Body Shop Parent Portal.
Dave Bolin
Associate Superintendent
The New Materials: (Review from September)
THE GREAT BODY SHOP for grades K-5, is the comprehensive health education program your child will be participating in this year. THE GREAT BODY SHOP will help your child learn more about the human body and the skills needed to stay safe and healthy. The success of the program requires a team effort, involving you, your child, the teacher, and trusted adults.
Delivery of materials to students:
Your child will receive a personal copy of THE GREAT BODY SHOP Student Issue for all health units. The topics include nutrition, illness prevention, substance abuse prevention, and safety, among others. Each monthly unit contains information to help your child understand their body, the way it works, and the best ways to keep it healthy and safe. The teacher will deliver each monthly unit of THE GREAT BODY SHOP and guide students in developmentally appropriate, skill-based activities to reinforce the lessons contained in each unit.
Parents will receive a letter in September from their child's teacher, which will contain directions on how to log in and access THE GREAT BODY SHOP Parent Portal. In the portal, parents can view the student issues and more.
At the end of every unit, your child will bring home the Student Issue, which includes a Family Bulletin. The Family Bulletin will provide you with additional information and resources so that you can reinforce student learning at home.
In addition to the Family Bulletin, each unit contains Family Activities which are designed to be completed at home by you and your child. These extension activities will help keep you aware of what your child is studying and are intended to spark discussion.
By working together to reinforce the skills taught in THE GREAT BODY SHOP, we can help your child make healthy decisions about their body that will keep them safe and ready to meet the challenges of the future.
North Santiam School District
Email: david.bolin@nsantiam.k12.or.us
Website: https://www.nsantiam.k12.or.us/
Location: 1155 North 3rd Avenue, Stayton, OR, USA
Phone: 503-769-6924