Date: Fri, 05 Nov 1999 17:39:05 -0800 From: Jean Richter Subject: 11/5/99 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. Sexuality education resource from NARAL 2. MI: Contact info for schools banning gay history displays ================================================================================= Announcing a New Resource for Parents, Educators, and Other Supporters of Comprehensive, Unbiased Sexuality Education Parents today are concerned about issues of sexuality education, and with good reason! After all, the consequences of lack of information can be unwanted pregnancy, disease, and even death. Yet, individuals and groups advocating an abstinence-only approach have too often squelched honest discussions about sexuality in our schools. Is This What Schools Should be Teaching Kids? "If premarital sex came in a bottle, it would probably have to carry a Surgeon General's warning, something like the one on a package of cigarettes. There's no way to have premarital sex without hurting someone." -- from Sex Respect(r) "For condoms to be used properly, over 10 specific steps must be followed every time which tends to minimize the romance and spontaneity of the sex act." -- from Choosing the Best(r) "[N]ature seems to be making a statement about the wisdom of keeping sex within marriage through the current epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy." -- from Sex Respect(r) "'What if I want to have sex before I get married?. . . Well, I guess you just have to be prepared to die. And you'll probably take with you your spouse and one or more of your children with you.'" -- from No Second Chance(r) video "[T]he male and female sexual organs are obviously designed to accept each other. Thus, heterosexual relationships are normal and homosexual ones are not." -- from Families, Decision-Making and Human Development More information about these materials is available in the Choice Action Kit or through NARAL. The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) Foundation(r)'s A Step-by-Step Guide: Achieving Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Your Community's Schools is designed to help parents and concerned community members become effective volunteers to improve the quality of sexuality education that their community's children receive. Contents Part 1: Overview -The Need for Comprehensive Sexuality Education - Understanding the Value of Comprehensive Sexuality Education - Researching Sexuality Education in Your Community's Schools Part 2: Building Support - Working Together - Developing a Strategy Chart and Timeline Part 3: Sample Materials Part 4: Key Information The Choice Action Kit is available for $3 including postage. To order, call (202) 973-3076, or visit our website at http://www.naral.org. ================================================================================== those interested in taking action regarding the issue should contact the folks as indicated below: West Middle School 44401 W Ann Arbor Trl Plymouth, Michigan 48170 Administration Principal: Mr. Ray Fougnier Assistant Principal: Ms. Maureen Murphy Contacts Office: 734.416.7550 Fax: 734.416.7648 School District Plymouth Canton Community School District Web-based email can be sent to http://www.pccs.k12.mi.us/getintouch/index.html or you can contact them by snail or phone at Plymouth/Canton Board of Education 454 S. Harvey Street Plymouth, Michigan 48170 (734) 451-3140 1999-2000 Board of Education Susan E. Davis, President Elizabeth M. Givens, Vice President Judy Mardigian, Secretary Darwin Watts, Treasurer Roland J. Thomas, Jr., Mark Slavens Stephen Guile ================================================================== Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 02:41:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Mike Montalvo Reply-To: Boyscout@Texas.net Subject: Scouting Updates - ... [some non-schools-related items omitted] ===== Also, this is interesting. The NCCS (National Catholic Committee on Scouting) initially did not approve Learning for Life because "Learning for Life is not a church program and does not draw its teachings from religious values" then they changed their stance. http://boyscout.home.texas.net/NCCSLFL.htm Today I stumbled across this: http://www.mtn.org/~oldowski/xc999.htm Learning For Life - John Hammerschmidt was asked whether religious emblems programs would satisfy the NCCS demand for religious modules in the Learning For Life program. No, not NCCS emblems, though NFCYM emblems programs could be used. Tom Deimler will discuss options with John Anthony, BSA LFL Director. ============= Oct 12th- Character Education Program Disputed - (ST. PETERSBURG) -- The Pinellas School Board has embraced a state funded character education program called "Learning for Life". The Unitarian Universalist Church is in opposition because the Boy Scouts of America developed the program. The Unitarians say it might teach students bigotry. The Unitarians have fought with the Boy Scouts of America over their stand on homosexuality for many years. One-hundred-thousand-dollars of the state budget has been designated for each of nine school districts to teach the Scout's program. The Pinellas School Board accepted the money at a meeting last month. ========== Oct 12th- Another Pocatello School Controversy - (POCATELLO) -- There's another controversy brewing in the Pocatello school district and this time the Boy Scouts are involved. At the next school board meeting, trustees will get a report on scout activities in the schools. Carole Wells is an atheist who has complained to the school district because it allows the Boy Scouts free use of school facilities. Wells says the Boy Scouts discriminate against atheists, agnostics and homosexuals. The school board is also facing recall threats because of its plan to cut or freeze the pay of janitors. ========== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com ======================================================================== Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) These messages are archived by state on our information-loaded free web site: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/