March 5, 2014
Dear Parent or Guardian,
HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious health problems Americans have ever faced. Advances in medicine have made tremendous strides in keeping people infected with HIV healthy for many years. Still, it has no cure, and education is the only way we can help our students protect themselves from becoming infected.
In physical education classes (grades 6 and 8), our school will begin to teach your child about AIDS. The New York State Education Department and the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) require that HIV/AIDS education be provided for all students in kindergarten through grade 12. The HIV/AIDS Curriculum that NYC DOE developed for NYC students is age and developmentally appropriate. For example, in kindergarten, students learn how people get sick and how to get better. In 7th grade (health class), children learn how HIV affects the immune system, the risks of alcohol and drug use, and the importance of communicating with parents/guardians or caregivers. High school lessons teach students to avoid behaviors that put them at risk for HIV, STDs and unintended pregnancy.
State regulations require that all students attend these lessons. While students in the 7th grade may “opt out” of certain lessons in the Health curriculum concerning prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and Sex Education, the 6th and 8th graders will engage in a prevention piece (in their physical education classes) that will only discuss abstinence as the method of prevention in regard to sexual activity.
Encourage your child to speak with you about HIV/AIDS. Doing so can help you reinforce your child's awareness of how HIV is transmitted , and present opportunities for you and your child to discuss how abstaining from sexual intercourse is the most important and effective way for children to protect their health and their future.
For more information refer to the DOE HIV/AIDS Curriculum page.
Sincerely,
Mr. Beauvais
Physical Education
Dear Parent or Guardian,
HIV/AIDS is one of the most serious health problems Americans have ever faced. Advances in medicine have made tremendous strides in keeping people infected with HIV healthy for many years. Still, it has no cure, and education is the only way we can help our students protect themselves from becoming infected.
In physical education classes (grades 6 and 8), our school will begin to teach your child about AIDS. The New York State Education Department and the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) require that HIV/AIDS education be provided for all students in kindergarten through grade 12. The HIV/AIDS Curriculum that NYC DOE developed for NYC students is age and developmentally appropriate. For example, in kindergarten, students learn how people get sick and how to get better. In 7th grade (health class), children learn how HIV affects the immune system, the risks of alcohol and drug use, and the importance of communicating with parents/guardians or caregivers. High school lessons teach students to avoid behaviors that put them at risk for HIV, STDs and unintended pregnancy.
State regulations require that all students attend these lessons. While students in the 7th grade may “opt out” of certain lessons in the Health curriculum concerning prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and Sex Education, the 6th and 8th graders will engage in a prevention piece (in their physical education classes) that will only discuss abstinence as the method of prevention in regard to sexual activity.
Encourage your child to speak with you about HIV/AIDS. Doing so can help you reinforce your child's awareness of how HIV is transmitted , and present opportunities for you and your child to discuss how abstaining from sexual intercourse is the most important and effective way for children to protect their health and their future.
For more information refer to the DOE HIV/AIDS Curriculum page.
Sincerely,
Mr. Beauvais
Physical Education
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MS54 Booker T. Washington
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