 ODE Sexuality Education Newsletter
May 7, 2021
Dearest colleagues,
We are welcoming May and all the blooming and blossoming it brings with it. This season is always a sweet reminder of how much is going on below the surface--looking at the colorless yards around the neighborhood from just a month ago turned into vibrant colorful gardens--we can indeed transform after a tough winter, tough year. The seeds you all have planted in classrooms this year, throughout the fall and winter, are germinating in their own ways and will sprout up in due time. With May being Oregon Youth Sexual Health Month and Sex Ed for All Month, we want to celebrate the diversity in classrooms across the state while also striving towards a sense of belonging in all of our lessons, including sex ed. Like this report reminds us, the way we teach and access sexuality education across experiences impacts the whole community.
As students and teachers return to the classroom in many counties around Oregon this month, ODE has created an offering of re-framing and supporting the student experience of the last year. Student Learning: Unfinished, Not Lost is an asset-based frame that humanizes learning & supports action. With commitment and care, educators, school leaders, school support staff, families and communities continue to provide students with opportunities to learn while also tending to students’ physical, social and emotional needs. Please continue to sow these important seeds while keeping in mind that so much of the work and learning is happening under the surface.
In this newsletter, we will share with you some announcements, research, resources, and opportunities for training by ODE, as well as other offerings by statewide and national colleagues that may be of interest to you.
ODE Sexuality Education Updates
Announcing ODE Sex Ed Office Hours
The sexuality education specialists at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) host regular office hours in order to better support districts in implementing K-12 comprehensive sexuality education. The topic for May is Understanding Opt-Out for Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Oregon, Wednesday May 12, 2:30-3:30pm PDT. Register today for meeting information and to submit your questions.
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ODE Civil Rights for Sex Ed Trainers Webinar
This webinar is an overview of Civil Rights Law, including Federal and State protections of protected classes, definitions of harassment and discrimination, and an exploration of student rights, including free speech. View webinar recording and resources.
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Sex Ed News & Resources
Teaching inclusive sexuality education is a critical piece in our equity work. While we know the Oregon Human Sexuality Education OAR 581-022-2050 requires the use of “inclusive materials, language, and strategies that recognizes different sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expression” that must also be “culturally inclusive,” this work cannot happen overnight. ODE is committed to supporting school districts to provide sexuality education that allows all students to feel safe, seen, and valued.
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Readers respond: Better LGBT sex education is needed, Oregon Live, 4/15/2021
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16 Resources on Talking to Students About Police Killings and Racism, Ed Week, 4/16/2021
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Talking With Students About Transgender Athletes, Learning for Justice, 4/8/2021
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Empowering Today's Youth through Comprehensive Sexual Education, HIV.gov, 4/8/2021
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Facilitating Critical Conversations with Students, Learning for Justice, updated regularly with additional topics.
Sex Ed Data & Research
Health and sexuality education holds an important responsibility to reflect the lived experiences of students and staff in Oregon and in the United States. Below, please find some local and national research and data that tell the stories of young people, especially as it pertains to experiences within educational environments.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Training Spotlight: My Future My Choice Spring Workshop Series
Oregon My Future My Choice Spring Workshop Series, April-May, 2021 (free, PDUs available). See flyer for details and registration info.
- Educating for Everyone, The Uprise Collective, May 13, 3:30-5pm PDT
- LGBTQ2S+ Identities, My Future, My Choice, May 20, 3:30-5pm PDT
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Additional Related Training Opportunities
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Civil Rights for Sex Ed & Health Trainers, Webinar recording by ODE Civil Rights and Sexuality Education Specialists (resources doc)
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Good Trouble: Understanding and Supporting Youth Activism for Equity and Justice, May 13, 12:30-2pm PDT, Webinar with youth panel
- Transgender Training Institute Webinars (pay what you can)
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Latino Health Equity Conference, June 24-25th, The conference provides a forum to focus on individual and community issues addressing health equity through research, programs, and policies.
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Advancing Racial Equity Webinar Series, Asynchronous with Discussion Guide included. This series explores efforts to address systems, policies and practices designed to limit and shape opportunities for people of color. The presenters highlight collective and individual actions we can take to advance racial equity and justice.
Note: 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 and high quality opportunities for sexuality education professionals to consider.
Grants, Job Openings, and Youth Opportunities
My Future My Choice is seeking Teen Advisory Board applicants
The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a statewide leadership opportunity for teens wanting to develop leadership skills and act as the youth voice of the program. TAB members work with a local mentor to carry out a leadership project over the school year as well as provide program feedback. Check out their flyer and application process here!
REV(olution) Youth Action Council applications open for Southwestern Oregon high school students
Applications are open for the Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon (PPSO) peer education program is open to all high school students in Southwestern Oregon who are interested in sexual and reproductive health and education. Youth will meet virtually once a week to learn about sexual health, gain peer education skills, and take action in their community. In-person opportunities TBD. Apply by May 30th.
Raphael House of Portland is hiring for several positions
Call for Presenters: OCADSV’s 2021 Conference Restoring our Communities for the Path Ahead
The Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (OCADSV) is seeking conference workshop proposals from dynamic, knowledgeable presenters with a robust understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in regards to survivor-centered intervention, advocacy, and prevention. More details and application, here.
Listserv Submission Process
We welcome your submissions to ODE's Sexuality Education ListServ! If you have announcements, job postings, or general questions for your colleagues, you can submit them to ode.sexed@state.or.us.
In an effort to streamline Listserv messages, we are now planning to send out ListServ messages once a month, during the first week of the month. To accommodate this change and to ensure that we can equitably share announcements from everyone, we're now asking that you submit your Listserv posts no later than the 25th of each month.
Questions? Connections?
Please reach out to us at ode.sexed@state.or.us.
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