ODE Sexuality Education Newsletter
October 10, 2023
Dearest Colleagues,
Over this last weekend, students and staff alike have been learning about incomprehensible identity-based violence in Israel and Gaza. Many students have read testimonies of terrorism and seen graphic images of sexual violence, and are now sitting in our classrooms heavy with grief and worry. Students may need to connect to school and community resources as they grapple with these horrific events, including sexual violence and rape. It's important that school staff consider how to address these issues with care in our classrooms, especially considering students who are Jewish, Muslim, and/or are survivors of sexual violence. Please see the Social Science Newsletter from yesterday, October 9th, for more social emotional learning resources for families and educators to support students. The Sex Ed Open Learning Project also has lessons available on media literacy and violence prevention that may be helpful to address misinformation and social media.
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15th-Oct 15th) offers an additional opportunity to connect health, identity, culture, and community. This Hispanic Heritage Month, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino created a virtual exhibit, ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States, that explores the diverse historical legacies, immigration stories, intersectional identities and unique contributions of Latina/o/x people of the United States, including their role in fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and making a more just and inclusive society.
And finally, October is also LGBTQ+ History Month, and National Coming Out Day is on October 11th. This newsletter includes resources on incorporating more LGBTQ2SIA+ history into classrooms, as well as other updates, relevant news, resources, and opportunities for further learning.
Section photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash
Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR
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ODE Health and Sexuality Education Standards Updates
Health Standards Revision Update
The Oregon Department of Education appreciates all of the public feedback received during the Health Education Standards revision process. This feedback led to many changes, deletions and moves, including additional standard content on the topics of neurodiversity and online safety. The State Board of Education reviewed the draft of Health Education Standards on September 21st and will complete its second read on October 19th.
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
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State of the Period 2023, Thinx, Inc. & PERIOD., October 2023
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The Promise of Inclusive Education, Learning for Justice, Fall 2023
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The Complicated Ties Between Teenage Girls and Social Media- And What Parents Should Know, The 19th News, September 2023
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Stricter state laws are chipping away at sex education in K-12 schools, ABC News, October 2023
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A New Way to Prevent S.T.I.s: A Pill After Sex, The New York Times, October 2023
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Nonbinary teen wins discrimination lawsuit against Greater Albany Public Schools, Oregon Public Broadcasting, September, 2023
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Survivors Need New Title IX Rules Right Now, Teen Vogue, September 2023
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Honoring LGBTQ Voices During Hispanic Heritage Month, Learning for Justice
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Acceptance from Adults is Associated with Lower Rates of Suicide Attempts Among LGBTQ Young People, The Trevor Project, September 2023
Resources for Educators
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.
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Oct. 15, 3-6pm, Period Action Day, Portland, OR
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Oct. 18-19, SexEdCon:Thriving Against Adversity, Virtual Conference, AMAZE
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Oct. 26, 1-2pm, Over-The-Counter Birth Control Pills: What Teachers Need to Know, Webinar, Advocates for Youth and SHAPE America
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Oct. 30-Nov. 2, Power Through Choices: Training of Facilitators, Virtual Training, Healthy Teen Network
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Oct.-Nov., Sex Educator Training, Self-Paced and Virtual Instructor-Led Courses, Spark*ED
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Nov. 9, 10-12pm, Confidential DVSA + Child Abuse Intervention in Partnership, Webinar, Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force
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Nov. 15, 11-12:30pm, Mandatory Reporting + Confidential Advocacy Partnerships in Youth Serving Settings, Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force
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Nov. 16, Schools and Toilets: Menstrual Health & Hygiene Stories & Solutions, Webinar, Columbia University/ Mailman School of Public Health
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Dec. 5-8, National Sex Ed Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
Questions? Connections?
Please reach out to us at ode.sexed@ode.oregon.gov.
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Want to stay connected with sexuality education at the Oregon Department of Education? Visit our website or subscribe to the ODE Sexuality Education ListServ today!
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