Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
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Yelm Community Schools believes that education is a partnership between families and school staff, guided by state laws and recommendations. Sexual health education begins and ends with parent and family guidance. The role of schools is to provide medically accurate and age appropriate information to students. Families always have the right to opt students out of participation in sexual health education.
Each year, families are invited to preview the sexual health instructional materials. If a family is unable to attend the scheduled meeting, arrangements can be made to view the materials at a different time. Opt out forms are available for families who choose to provide sexual health education to their students at home.
The Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (RCW 28A.300.475) law was passed by the Legislature and Washington voters in December, 2020. This new state law requires all public schools to provide Comprehensive Sexual Health Education (CSHE) by the 2022–23 school year. This is a multi-year effort, and the bill is to be phased in over a period of three years (2020-2023).
CSHE Multi-Year Progress
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2022-23:
There is no sexual health content required for students in grades K–4. Schools must provide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to students in grades K−4: YCS is already doing this.
Schools must begin providing CSHE at least once by grade 5. "Once" will generally be a unit of instruction in at least one grade, with enough instruction to address required content and skill development as reflected in the Health Education K-12 Learning Standards: YCS is already doing this.
Schools must inform OSPI of any curricula used to provide comprehensive sexual health education and describe how their instruction aligns with the requirements of the bill (OSPI will provide a reporting tool): YCS will do this once a reporting tool is provided by OSPI.
The new state law does not require major changes to what is currently taught in YCS. -
2021-22:
Schools must provide CSHE at least twice in grades 6−8 and at least twice in grades 9−12. "Twice" will generally be two units of instruction in at least two grades per grade band, with enough instruction to address required content and skill development as reflected in the Health Education K-12 Learning Standards: YCS will increase from at least “once” to at least twice” in each grade band.
Instruction must include age-appropriate information about affirmative consent and bystander training: YCS will ensure age-appropriate information about affirmative consent and bystander training is included in instruction at all grade bands.
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Family Communication Before Senate Bill 5395: School Year 2020-2021 and earlier After Senate Bill 5395: School Year 2021-2022 Parent Opt Out Families may choose for students to be excused from participation by completing an opt out form. All requests are accepted. No change. Parent Communication Parents are informed in writing about sexual health education in grades 5-12. Parents have the opportunity to attend a meeting reviewing legal requirements and district adopted curriculum. If Parents cannot attend the meeting, they are able to visit the district office to preview the curriculum. In addition to current practice, information about the context of the curriculum will be posted on the district website. YCS will communicate to families about legal requirements and the curriculum students will learn. Topic: Curriculum by Grade Level Before Senate Bill 5395: School year 2020-2021 and earlier After Senate Bill 5395: School Year 2021-2022 K-5th Grade
Social Emotional LearningSocial emotional learning is addressed for all students using the Second Step curriculum. No change.
K-4th Grade
Sexual healthSexual health is not addressed in the K-4 curricula. No change. 5th Grade
Sexual Health5th grade students learn about human development in the FLASH curriculum annually. In addition to the content previously taught at 5th grade, students learn about affirmative consent in an age appropriate way. For 5th graders, affirmative consent applies to hugs and similar physical contact.
YCS will continue to use the FLASH curriculum.
6th-8th Grade
Sexual HealthSexual health is addressed in 8th grade health using the High School FLASH curriculum. The 7th grade science class and 8th grade health classes will teach the middle school FLASH lessons. They will receive less content than in previous years.
Middle School lessons include information about affirmative consent and how to intervene when they see bullying, sexual harassment, or unwanted physical contact.9th-12th Grade
Sexual HealthSexual health is addressed in health courses using the High School FLASH curriculum. Sexual health will be integrated into 9th and 10th grade science classes using the High School FLASH curriculum.
In addition to the content previously taught in health, students will learn about affirmative consent, and how to intervene when they see bullying, sexual harassment, or unwanted physical contact.
Grades 5-12 Comprehensive Sexual Health Curriculum
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In 5th Grade, FLASH lessons include:
- Ground Rules
- Puberty
- The Reproductive System
- Pregnancy
- HIV
- Decision-making
- Sexual Exploitation
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In Middle School, FLASH lessons include:
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy Lesson
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Lesson
- Rules of Dating Lesson
- Saying No Lesson
- Preventing STDs Lesson
- Condoms to Prevent HIV and Other STDs Lesson
- Birth Control Methods
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In High School, FLASH lessons include:
- Climate Setting
- Reproductive System
- Pregnancy
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
- Undoing Gender Stereotypes
- Healthy Relationships
- Coercion and Consent
- Online Safety: Preventing Sexual Violence
- Abstinence
- Birth Control Methods
- Preventing HIV and other STDs
- Condoms to Prevent Pregnancy, HIV and other STDs
- Testing for HIV and other STDs
- Communication and Decision Making
- Improving School Health
Grades K-5 Social Emotional Learning
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In grades K-3, schools are required to include Social Emotional Learning using age appropriate, accurate curriculum. Yelm Community Schools implemented Second Step at all elementary schools in September, 2019.
Second Step focuses on student skills, emotional management, problem solving, and friendship.
Each grade level addresses the following units at an age appropriate level:- Skills for Learning
Emphasizes learner characteristics like being a good listener, being respectful, and following directions. - Empathy
Teaches students to identify feelings and to treat others with kindness. - Emotion Management
Develops students’ understanding of feelings and teaches students to manage their own feelings. - Problem Solving
Focuses on students playing fairly, advocating for themselves in social settings, and including other students in play. - Child Protection
Provides students with important strategies for recognizing and reporting abuse. - Bullying Prevention
Provides students with important strategies for recognizing, refusing, and reporting bullying.
- Skills for Learning
