We hope this newsletter reaches you with warm and heartfelt thoughts as we roll into Fall. This month, we center culture and identity and highlight their importance in sexuality education, health, and well-being.

Today is Indigenous Peoples Day, giving educators a powerful opportunity to connect culture, history, current affairs, and identities of indigenous peoples into sexuality education and health classrooms. By using the Tribal History/Shared History Health lessons, educators can attend to the historic erasure of indigenous people and have conversations around the influence of culture, identity, and public health policies on sexual and reproductive health.

Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an additional opportunity to connect health, identity, culture, and community. This Hispanic Heritage Month, the Smithsonian Latino Museum created a virtual exhibit that celebrates 30 Latinx individuals who have shaped the United States. People such as Dolores Huerta, Sonia Sotomayor, and Sylvia Rivera have played a critical role advancing LGBTQ2SIA+ rights, sexual and reproductive rights, as well as human rights. 

And it’s also LGBTQ+ History Month! This newsletter has more resources on incorporating more LGBTQ2SIA+ history into classrooms, as well as other updates, relevant news, resources, and opportunities for further learning. 

Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR

Section photo Markus Spiske on Unsplash

ODE Sexuality Education Updates

Register Now! OTTI Virtual Sex Ed Training Series - Fall 2022

The Oregon Teacher Training Institute (OTTI) is thrilled to offer our next 4-part virtual teacher training series on K-12 comprehensive sexuality education, developed in partnership with ODHS, OHA, and local partners across Oregon. 

OTTI offers courses for educators and administrators to deliver comprehensive sexuality education as part of health instruction, focusing on healthy relationships, socio-emotional learning, child abuse prevention education, and healthy sexuality throughout the lifespan. These requirements, as articulated by Oregon Department of Education's rules and standards, follow the most current research, leading national medical institutions, and Oregon Law. The training courses are implemented in partnership with ODE, OHA, DHS, and other local partners.

To learn more and register for this series, click here!

Please note:

• Registration includes all 4 modules in the training series. Each highly interactive training session relies on knowledge from previous sessions and shared understanding among participants. Attendance for Module 1 is required to participate in the additional training sessions. 
• A school district or organization email is required to register. This training is exclusively for Oregon educators and school staff supporting K-12 comprehensive Sexuality Education implementation. 
• Registration is free, but available on a first come first served basis. 
• PDUs can be offered upon completion of this series 

Questions? Please email ode.sexed@state.or.us 

ODE and OHA on Managing hMPXV in Schools

ODE and OHA’s October bulletin provides resources and information as school leaders educate their communities about hMPXV (monkeypox). The message reiterates the responsibility to ensure every school environment is safe and welcoming to every student and staff member. Comprehensive sexuality education aligned with Oregon’s Health Education Standards and Performance Indicators supports understanding of public discourse and health messaging, prevents transmission of hMPXV, and helps students gain healthy relationship skills.

Get Connected to the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Program during LGBTQ+ History Month

ODE is committed to supporting Oregon school districts and education partners to create LGBTQ2SIA+ affirming school communities through a wide range of strategies outlined in the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan.

Districts and schools who are not sure where to start should consider reviewing the *new* LGBTQ2SIA+ Resources webpage ​for resources sorted by audience. Educators who want to honor LGBTQ+ History Month all year round may consider the LGBTQ2SIA+ Inclusive Instructional Materials Examples. Subscribe to the LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success listserv for program updates and regular newsletters with timely resources. 

LGBTQ2SIA+ Resources Webpage 

Section photo by Renee Fisher on Unsplash 

Latino Network is hiring a Health & Wellness Sexuality Program Manager to increase the health and wellness of Latino youth and families with a focus on sexuality. They are also hiring a Health & Wellness Coordinator to coordinate and implement training and programming related to community health and comprehensive sexuality education for middle and high school aged youth and parents.

Multnomah County’s Community & Adolescent Health program is hiring a Health Educator position with a focus on serving Black and/or African American communities, providing comprehensive sexual health education training to teachers in partnership with community based organizations.