September 15, 2023 – Oregon Department of Education: Sexuality Education Newsletter
Dearest Colleagues,
It’s back to school for Oregon students and with it comes both excitement and apprehension. While this is a time for new and renewed social connection, for learning and inspiration; it can also be a time for fear and anxiety for many students. As ODE’s Care and Connection Team reminds us, take the time you and your colleagues need to grow and sustain safe, inclusive, and invitational spaces that allow each person to be where they are at any given moment and offer creative opportunities for self-exploration.
This time of year is a great reminder that sexuality education is an important avenue for fostering care, connection, and community. Exploring questions such as: What makes us similar and different?, Who are trusted adults I can turn to?, and What makes a family? can help create a safe and inclusive school environment in which to thrive in the school year ahead. Explore lessons covering some of these topics from the Oregon Open Learning Hub.
Sex Ed News & Resources for Educators
ODE is committed to supporting school districts with implementing Oregon Human Sexuality Education (OAR 581-022-2050). Please see below for related news and resources for K-12 educators.
Research & News Articles for Educators
- Sex Ed for People with Disabilities is Almost Non-Existent. Here’s What Needs to Change, USA Today, August 2023
- Sex Ed Would Be Required in Schools Nationwide Under Proposed Bill, The 19th News, August 2023
- How School Systems, Educators and Parents Can Support Transgender Children, NPR, June 2023
- OHA Study Shows Meningococcal B Vaccine May Prevent Gonorrhea, Oregon Department of Human Services, August 2023
- School-Related Protective Factors for LGBTQ Middle and High School Students, Trevor Project, August 2023
- 2023 LGBTQ+ Youth Report, HRC Foundation, August 2023
- Strategies to Advance Racial Equity in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Child Trends, August 2023
Resources for Educators
- Using the National Health Education Standards and Other Important Elements to Guide Your Teaching in Health Ed, Shape America, July 2023
- Sex Ed for the Stroller Set, American Psychological Association, August 2023
Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities for Educators
Unless hosted or facilitated by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), these training opportunities have not been endorsed by ODE, but are being shared as relevant opportunities for education professionals to consider.
- Sept. 19-21, Promoting Inclusive Sexuality Education Mini Webinar Series, OHSU/ University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
- Sept. 28, Bringing Boys Into Menstrual Health & Hygiene- Webinar, Columbia University/ Mailman School of Public Health
- Oct. 2-4, Healthy Teen Conference, Portland, OR
- Oct. 18-19, AMAZE 2023 SexEdCon- Thriving Against Adversity
- Oct.-Nov., Sex Educator Training, Self-Paced and Virtual Instructor-Led Courses, Spark*ED
- Nov 16, Schools and Toilets: Menstrual Health & Hygiene Stories & Solutions- Webinar, Columbia University/ Mailman School of Public Health
- Dec. 5-8, National Sex Ed Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
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