• Purpose

    Okemos Public Schools (OPS) offers instruction on sex education, including HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) prevention, as approved by the Okemos Public Schools Board of Education. The Board appreciates the work and recommendations of the Personal Health and Sexual Education (PHASE) Advisory Board regarding the recommended program content, materials, and evaluation strategies.

    The purpose of this overview of the handbook is to:

    • Demonstrate how OPS complies with state laws pertaining to HIV and sex education.
    • Clearly define the overall goals and objectives, program philosophy, scope and sequence, and materials and methods used at specific grade levels.
    • Orient new staff to make sure all are familiar with state law, as well as local district policy and practices.
    • Orient parents/guardians with the content and implementation of the program.
    • Serve as an accountability tool that summarizes what is being done in the district if questions arise regarding sex eduation and HIV/STI prevention.

    Program Philosophy

    Our mission is to offer a comprehensive sex education and HIV/STI prevention curriculum that is medically accurate and age and developmentally appropriate for all students, including students with special needs. The curriculum is designed to recognize and represent the diversity of our students and community and strives to be inclusive of everyone regardless of their race, class, family structure, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

    Instruction is provided to increase knowledge and skills regarding personal health, human relationships and lifelong decision-making that promotes health. The curriculum promotes delaying sexual activity (abstinence) as a positive choice for students. Research shows that sex education is most effective when combined with a comprehensive health education curriculum, and results in students who are more likely to avoid risky behaviors that lead to negative outcomes, and ultimately engage in and succeed academically.

    The content and classroom instruction are designed to:

    • Meet the needs of students.
    • Be consistent with needs of parents/guardians 
    • Adhere to state laws and district policies.
    • Align with health education standards, research, and best practice regarding effective instruction.

    We believe that parents/guardians are the primary sex educators of their children. Therefore, our program of instruction encourages on-going discussion between students and their parents and other trusted adults to assist them in making healthy decisions and accessing services and accurate information. We strive to equip parents/guardians and their children to feel more prepared and empowered to have these important conversations.

    The Okemos Public Schools PHASE Advisory Board developed the following statements to guide our work:

    Belief Statement

    The Okemos Personal Health and Sexual Education Advisory Board believes that sexually healthy people:

    • Appreciate and respect their bodies
    • Interact with all genders in appropriate and respectful ways
    • Express love and intimacy in appropriate ways
    • Avoid exploitative relationships
    • Identify their values leading to sexual health
    • Demonstrate tolerance for people with different values
    • Take responsibility for their behavior
    • Communicate desires not to have sex and accept refusals for sex
    • Ask questions of parents/guardians and other adults about sexual issues
    • Possess sexual feelings without necessarily acting upon them
    • Are able to communicate and negotiate sexual limits
    • Understand the impact of social media messages on thoughts, feelings, values, and behaviors related to sexuality
    • Practice health promoting behaviors, such as regular check-ups, breast or testicular self-exams 
    • Understand the consequence of sexual activity
    • Seek further information about sexuality as needed and know how to find accurate information

    Mission Statement

    Okemos Public Schools shall have an abstinence-based, comprehensive reproductive health and human sexuality program that is age/developmentally appropriate for students and based on sound science and proven principles of instruction. The program shall be tailored to meet the particular needs of Okemos students, parents/guardians and community. Great care will be taken to ensure delivery of regularly updated curricula designed to prepare individuals for a lifetime of responsible behavior regarding their sexual and interpersonal behaviors. All Sexual Health Education instruction shall be conducted by trained educators who give students information and skills to help them take care of their sexual health.

    Definition of Sexuality Education

    Sexual health education in Okemos Public Schools provides knowledge and skills which empower students to make responsible decisions regarding the mental, emotional, social, physical, legal, and financial aspects of human sexuality. The Okemos Schools sexual health education curriculum addresses the following sexual health content areas in a developmentally appropriate manner:

         The reproductive cycle, reproductive anatomy, abstinence, fertilization, pregnancy, contraception, rape, and the recognition, transmission and prevention of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.

    Sexual health education excludes sexual harassment and child sexual abuse prevention, which are taught as safety issues. These topics are presented in such a way as to respect the diversity of values and beliefs present in the classroom and the Okemos community. Lessons on personal safety and child abuse from the Michigan Model Health Curriculum are used from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

    Michigan Law

    Okemos Public Schools adheres to the state laws governing sex education and HIV/STI prevention.

    School districts in Michigan are required by law to teach about dangerous communicable diseases, including, but not limited to, HIV/AIDS. (§380.1169) Instruction regarding dangerous communicable diseases, including, but not limited to, HIV/AIDS, must be offered at least once a year at every building level (elementary, middle/junior, senior high).

    Schools in Michigan may teach sex education if they choose to do so. Sex education in Michigan schools usually follows two different tracks:

    • Abstinence-only, meaning students will only learn about abstinence as a method of preventing pregnancy, HIV, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
    • Abstinence-based, which means students will learn not only about abstinence as a method to prevent pregnancy, HIV, STIs, and  be taught how to prevent pregnancy, HIV, STIs, but will also be taught how to prevent pregnancy and diseases through the use of other preventative measures, such as condoms and other contraceptives.

    Okemos Public Schools chooses to teach a comprehensive, age-appropriate, research-based abstinence-based sex education curriculum and does so in accordance with sections of the Michigan Compiled Laws related to sex education and reproductive health (§380.1506, §380.1507, §380.1507a, §380.1507b, §388.1766, §388.1766a).

    Personal Health and Sexual Education (PHASE) Advisory Board

    The district's sexual health education program is overseen by a Personal Health and Sexual Education Advisory Board and a supervisor of reproductive health. Advisory board members shall be appointed by the board of education on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. The supervisor of reproductive health shall be employed by the board of education on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools and shall serve as a non-voting member of the advisory board.

    The PHASE advisory board is led by the sex education supervisor and two co-chairs as per Michigan law. As per State law, we ensure that at least one of the co-chairs is a parent of a child attending OPS (§380.1507).

    The current PHASE membership and the names of the sex education supervisor and the co-chairs can be found on the district website.

    Per state law, the school board determines the PHASE board membership size, selection process, terms of service, and co-chairs. The board will reasonably reflect the diversity of our school community. We use multiple channels to recruit members, including word of mouth, nominations, and school communications such as the website and school-wide events. Potential PHASE board members must complete an application. People in the Clergy have a separate application form. Clergy on the PHASE board must either have Okemos students attending their place of worship or be within the Okemos School District. Terms of newly appointed members commence at the beginning of the academic year.

    The advisory board convenes at least three times each year. Electronic notice of a PHASE advisory board meeting is sent to each member at least two weeks before the date of the meeting as per Michigan law.

    The Okemos Personal Health and Sexual Education Advisory Board (PHASE) is charged with the following responsibilities:

    • Establish program goals and objectives for pupil knowledge and skills.
    • Review and recommend instructional materials and methods, guest speakers, and programs which are a part of the comprehensive sexual health program.
    • Evaluate, measure, and report the attainment of program goals and objectives and make the resulting report available to parents/guardians in the district every two years.
    • Work closely with the school administration and teachers in the implementation of this program.
    • Review this policy and/or State guidelines and make recommendations to the board of education or needed changes.
    • Perform other duties as suggested by the supervisory of reproductive health, board of education, or the superintendent of schools.

    The final determination regarding any recommendations to the board of education will be by majority vote of advisory board members present. A quorum consists of 51% of voting advisory board members. Individual votes will be recorded in the advisory board minutes. Curricula that are used as part of HIV/AIDS or sex education instruction must go through a formal process, including two public hearings and school board approval.

    The Okemos Personal Health and Sex Education Advisory Board shall be established as follows:

    1. The advisory board shall consist of the supervisor of reproductive health and no more than 20 members.  The supervisor of reproductive health is a non-voting member of the advisory board. Membership shall include:
      1. Three (3) parents/guardians who have a child attending oPS; a majority of these parent members must not be employed by the school district;
      2. One (1) member of the local clergy;
      3. Two (2) health professionals
      4. Three (3) at-large representatives of the community;
      5. A minimum of two (2) students from Okemos High School, to be selected by the high school assistant principal;
      6. A maximum of (8) educators (e.g., administrators, teachers, social workers, counselors, professional staff);
      7. School nurse if one is employed by OPS.
    2. A reasonable effort shall be made to ensure that the advisory board consists of members representing a cross-section of community viewpoints.
    3. Parents, clergy, health professionals and at-large representatives of the community are appointed for a three (3) year term effective at the beginning of the academic year.  Vacancies occurring during the year will remain vacant until new appointments are made. There is no restriction on the number of terms an individual may serve on the advisory board.
    4. The supervisor of reproductive health will solicit applications from and recommend to the superintendent individuals for the educator and student positions on the advisory board.  Individuals from the community desiring membership on the advisory board must complete and submit an application form to the supervisor of reproductive health. The application forms are then given to a sub-committee of the district’s Parent Council, who review and recommend individuals in accordance with positions available on the advisory board -- while maintaining a cross-section of community viewpoints.  The supervisor of reproductive health then submits the names of recommended individuals to the superintendent of schools where they are presented to the school board for a vote.  
    5. Members of the advisory board are appointed by the board of education following recommendations by the superintendent.

    Needs Assessment

    The PHASE board takes into consideration the school community’s needs, demographics, and trends as part of its commitment to data-driven decision making. To this end, OPS collects or uses existing data, such as the Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY), local and state health data, student knowledge acquisition and surveys, educator feedback, and parent surveys.  We conduct student and parent surveys every year. The results of the surveys are used to guide decisions made by the advisory board to better meet the needs of students as well as the standards of the parent community. (Parent and Student Survey Results)

    Resources to Guide Curricular Selection

    Numerous resources are utilized to guide program selection and adoption: 

    The PHASE Board engages in a thoughtful process for adoption of and updates to curricula, materials and methods:

    Biennial Report

    The biennial report is used to measure the attainment of program goals and objectives and is completed every two years by the supervisor of reproductive health (§380.1507). Administrators and teachers responsible for the instruction, and the advisory board review the evaluation results and make recommendations for program improvements. The evaluation results are presented to the Okemos Board of Education and is available here.  

    Professional Development

    To teach sex education, educators must be qualified to teach health (§380.1507). Because the classroom teacher is ultimately responsible for all instruction, the qualified teacher must always be in the classroom if guest speakers are presenting.  

    To teach HIV/STI prevention, educators must meet one of the following criteria: 

    • Licensed health-care professional who has received training on HIV/AIDS
    • Certified teacher who has completed professional development on HIV/AIDS as provided by a local Regional Education Services Agency (RESA) or Intermediate School District (ISD)

    All OPS educators assigned to teach sex education and/or HIV/STI prevention are qualified to teach these topics and have received additional professional development. Okemos Public Schools accesses professional development provided by the local RESA or ISD on sex education and HIV/STI prevention and curriculum implementation.

    Parent and Guardian Rights

    Parents/guardians rights by Michigan law include: notification, review of curriculum, right to exempt their child without penalty, and observation of instruction.

    In our district, parents/guardians will be notified each school year at least two weeks in advance before the sex education and/or HIV/STI prevention curriculum is taught. The notification includes a description of the lessons, an outline of the student learning objectives, and the process for exempting a child from part or all instruction. 

    Parents or legal guardians will be notified in writing if sexual health education will be offered in their child’s classroom.  Parents must be given the opportunity to decide whether their child will or will not participate in any part or all of the instruction without penalty.  If a parent/guardian wants their child exempted on a permanent and continuing basis from sexual health education classes, they are offered the opportunity to file a written notice to that effect with the school. The child will then not be enrolled in such a class unless the parent/guardian submits a written authorization to reverse that exemption.

    A student not participating in sex education will not be penalized. The teacher, in collaboration with the parent, will make alternative arrangements for this student. These arrangements will minimize disruption for the student.  Suggested alternate study topics for students who are not participating may include the following topics, if they are age- and developmentally-appropriate for that particular student:

    • Assertive vs. passive vs. aggressive communication
    • Respectful vs. abusive relationships
    • Healthy decision-making and refusal skills
    • Steps in short and long-term goal setting
    • Costs and implications of a teen pregnancy (if age-appropriate for the student)
    • Paternal legal responsibilities and child support
    • How to access valid and reliable information resources for health-related topics
    • Impact of alcohol and drugs on decision making 
    • How the media influences youth’s perceptions of risk behaviors
    • Cyberbullying and cybersafety

    Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to preview the materials and methods of instruction prior to making a decision regarding their child’s participation.  Parents may review curriculum content and instructional materials online at www.okemosk12.net or parents/guardians may ask the building principal for a private preview at the school by appointment. 

    Resolving Questions and Concerns

    Any parent who has questions and/or concerns about their child’s sexual health education and/or HIV/STI prevention instruction is encouraged to discuss them with the classroom teacher. Usually, this discussion will resolve any potential issues in a positive manner. If, however, the concerns remain unresolved, the parent will follow the chain of command within the school building and district: principal, superintendent, Okemos School Board of Education. The law allows a formal, written complaint process if concerns are not resolved by district leadership.

    Program Delivery
    Any sexual health education that is taught during instructional time must be approved by the school board whether it is delivered in a classroom, auditorium, or other large group setting.  Approved curricula are taught consistently at each grade level, regardless of teacher or building. 

    Instruction is provided with all genders together in the same classroom as much as possible. Providing students an opportunity to interact with students of all genders in a sexual health class has many benefits. 

    1. Allows students to develop the communication skills required for forming healthy relationships
    2. Conveys the message that talking about sexual health topics is normal rather than taboo
    3. Equips students with the communication skills they will use now and as they transition into adulthood
    4. Allows students who are transgender or questioning their gender not to have to choose between a classroom of males or females 
    5. Talking with others of the same or different genders in a respectful and supportive manner is modelled and practiced throughout instruction

    Questions regarding subject matter outside of the approved grade level curriculum asked of an instructor who is qualified to teach sexual health education classes may be answered at the discretion of that instructor.  The instructor may provide a brief and factual answer and refer the student to their parents/guardians or a qualified school counselor.  The answer shall be consistent with the content and guidelines of the Okemos Sexual Health Education curriculum. Questions from students within school settings in situations other than in a sexual health education class shall be referred to parents/guardians or to approved and qualified instructors, social workers, or counselors. Any guest speakers in a classroom must be approved by the PHASE board. 

    Current and accurate information regarding medical risks and effectiveness on contraception shall be presented in an age/developmentally appropriate manner.  In grades 4 and 5, contraception will be discussed only in response to direct student questions, using age appropriate definitions and explanations. At grades 6 through high school, contraception Instruction will include the recognition, transmission, prevention, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections as an essential component of sexual health education.  Additionally, instruction in HIV/AIDS will include the principal modes by which these dangerous communicable diseases are spread and the best methods for restriction and prevention of these diseases. Section 1507 of Public Act 226 of 1977 states that "a person shall not dispense or otherwise distribute in a public school a family planning drug or device." Contraception will be presented by the instructors in the classroom during discussion on contraception. Instruction will focus on what it is, what it looks like, how it works, its efficacy, and what it can and cannot do. "Clinical abortion shall not be considered a method of family planning, nor shall abortion be taught as a method of reproductive health," per subsection 1507(8) of Public Act 226 of 1977.

    Is information provided about sexual crimes?

    Discussion about crimes such as child abuse, rape, prostitution, and use of children in pornographic materials will focus on the definition, legal and psychological aspects, and their implications for the individual and society. Students are taught to recognize these situations, avoidance strategies, and where to go for help.  Laws about statutory rape and other types of criminal sexual conduct are discussed in middle and high school as required by law.  

    What about handouts?

    Classroom materials distributed to students are to be kept to a minimum to maintain controlled use outside the classroom and must be approved by the PHASE Advisory Board.  This includes material from outside agencies and speakers. Handouts will be provided digitally to students and parents/guardians when possible.

    The Okemos Personal Health and Sexual Education (PHASE) Advisory Board must approve all materials that are handed out to students.

    What if a sex education topic comes up during teaching time outside of the sexual health curriculum?

    According to Okemos Board of Education regulation, questions from students within school settings in situations other than in a Sexual Health Education class shall be referred to parents/guardians or to approved and qualified instructors or counselors.

    Situations that Require Action

    It is the law in the state of Michigan that school employees are mandatory reporters. They must respond and notify the authorities if any student is suspected of being abused or neglected. Click here for more information. 

    Some questions or topics of discussion could indicate a situation exists that could endanger the health or welfare of a student. Student statements or questions that cause the teacher to suspect emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse or neglect of a minor must be reported to Child Protective Services

    The curriculum will alert students to dangerous, illegal, and harmful sexual behaviors and sexual advances that students may encounter.  Such behaviors include rape, incest, sexual child abuse, prostitution, human trafficking, and use of children in pornographic materials. The discussion of these behaviors in the classroom will be discussed in an age-appropriate manner, and shall be limited to definition, health, legal and psychological aspects, and their implications for the individual and society.  At no time shall this instruction promote or allow the above-mentioned behaviors to be defended or justified.

    Guidelines for Answering Student Questions

    Students have many questions regarding sexual health education and HIV/STI prevention. Questions may arise in the classroom during instructional time or may be asked in other settings, such as in the counseling office. Trusted adults are responsible for guiding students in obtaining answers to their questions. The exception to this rule is with regard to providing 4th grade students information about sexual intercourse.

    Teachers play a critical role in ensuring a safe and healthy school climate.  They should ensure that classroom rules are posted and reviewed with students. When students ask questions, teachers will affirm the student for asking questions and respond privately, if necessary. 

    All students are allowed to submit confidential questions in a digital question box at the end of each lesson. The teacher will respond to these questions during the next lesson. If a teacher who is qualified is asked a question during class, the teacher will give a brief, factual, developmentally-appropriate answer that is aligned with OPS guidelines. Click here Guidelines for Teachers Answering Student Questions Related to HIV and Sex Education. If any questions fall outside the guidelines for answering, including 4th grade students asking about sexual intercourse, teachers will advise students to ask their parent, guardian, or trusted adult for more information. This information will be provided to students in grade 5 in the fall.  

    Facilitating Student Access to Information and Services

    Students may request help or teachers may identify student health needs that go beyond the scope of the classroom. The first referral will be to the school counselor, school social worker, or other appropriate professional support staff. Additional referrals will be made, if needed. Staff will refer the list of community providers. 

    Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders

    Professional Support Staff

    Professional support staff, such as school nurses, school counselors, social workers and library media specialists, have a broader scope of practice than classroom teachers. They can provide support and resources that go beyond what can be provided in the classroom. In our district, professional support staff will:

    1. Adhere to Michigan laws that prohibit making a referral for or assisting in obtaining an abortion and dispensing a family planning drug or device in a school or on school property.
    2. Be familiar with the district-approved curricula and materials.
    3. Collaborate with classroom teachers to provide support for program instruction, follow-up, and referral.
    4. Facilitate access to print materials and other media with accurate and developmentally appropriate information.
    5. Identify community services that align with district’s program philosophy, goals, and objectives.
    6. Maintain a list of community service providers that has been reviewed by the PHASE Board and approved by the school board. 
    7. Support students and their families in accessing information and community services.

    When assisting students and families regarding needs beyond the approved classroom instruction, professional support staff will consider district administrative guidelines, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), confidentiality, their professional codes of ethics, and the need to keep the student physically safe. 

    Parents and Legal Guardians

    Parents and legal guardians are the first and best sexual health educators for their children. They can provide their children with a positive view of sexuality and relationships, as well as information and skills needed to make healthy decisions. Moreover, parents/guardians can teach children their own family values and communicate clear expectations regarding safety, relationships, and sexual behavior.

    We believe that school-based sex education and HIV/STI prevention is most effective when parents/guardians and teachers work together. In our district, we encourage parents/guardians to:

    1. Find out what their child is learning in class.
    2. Talk to their child’s teacher about how they can reinforce classroom lessons.
    3. Learn more about the subject matter.
    4. Listen to their child and give them a chance to express feelings and ideas. 
    5. Encourage their child to ask questions.
    6. Answer their child’s questions as honestly and openly as possible.
    7. Not be afraid to say, “I don’t know” and seek guidance and information as needed.
    8. Share their values with their child in a series of discussions that begin early, happen often, and continue over time.
    9. Be a role model.
    10. Help their child set goals and plans for the future. 

    We also encourage parents/guardians to be involved in these ways:

    • Support the classroom instruction by engaging their children in homework activities.
    • Apply to serve on the PHASE Board to help make recommendations regarding curriculum, methods, and materials.

    What if parents/guardians or teachers have questions or concerns about parts of the curriculum, or are unsure of how to present certain concepts? Is there someone who can help?

    Contact the Supervisor of Reproductive Health for Okemos Public Schools or your building principal.

    Procedure for previewing sexual health education materials.

    Parents may preview all materials online on the Okemos Public Schools website under Academics -> Personal Health. This is password protected.  For the username and password, please contact your building administrator.  

    Schools may also assign a time period when the curriculum, videos, and other learning materials may be previewed by parents/guardians in their building.  Notice of the preview is provided to parents/guardians to give them time to make arrangements to attend. If parents/guardians are not able to view the materials at the arranged time or have questions about the curriculum that arise before or after the parent preview period, they are welcome to contact the building principal or supervisor of reproductive health to make arrangements for preview at a mutually agreeable time. 

    Students

    We believe that any educational efforts for students must include input from and participation by students in order to be more relevant and effective. This is done in a developmentally appropriate way with student engagement increasing with the age of the students. Michigan laws emphasize the importance of this philosophy by requiring PHASE Board to include students as members.

    Students are engaged in the following ways:

    1. Classroom participation and feedback during sex education classes
    2. Classroom assessment and evaluation of student outcomes resulting from sex education and/or HIV/STI prevention lessons
    3. One-on-one conversations with key stakeholders including parents/guardians, teachers, social workers, and school counselors
    4. Student surveys
    5. High school student representation on the PHASE Board

    Community Partners

    Community partners, such as public health professionals, elected officials, youth-serving agencies, local businesses, and faith-based organizations, can reinforce what is being taught about sex education and HIV/STI curricula in school and at home. Students are best equipped when they hear clear and consistent messages about abstinence, healthy relationships, risk reduction, and sexual decision-making from multiple sources in their community.

    For more details on sexuality health education, please refer to the full handook available on the Okemos website under Academics, Personal Health.