ODE Sexuality Education Newsletter 

April 17, 2025  Dear Colleagues, Schools are social places where young people connect and relate, learning how to be in diverse communities and in meaningful interpersonal relationships with one another. Research has shown that having close friends throughout childhood is a key indicator of academic success and a high quality of life. However, in the current reality, where young people socialize in-person significantly less than in generations past (60 percent of Generation X adults say they spent most or all of their teen years hanging out in-person with friends, but only 40 percent of Gen Z youth did), loneliness and isolation is increasingly common. More than six in 10 (61 percent) Gen Z adults say they felt lonely or isolated during at least some of their teen years.  Learning how to establish and maintain healthy relationships, including romantic ones, helps adolescents develop into adults with healthy adult relationships. Healthy dating during adolescence can give many young people opportunities to develop a positive identity, practice communication skills, and identify qualities of healthy relationships. Emphasizing, too, the right of all people to decide if, when and, with whom to be in a relationship (Oregon Health Education Standard 7.HRVP.2). Health & sexuality education standards-aligned instruction can help young people navigate these social dynamics by providing safe and inclusive spaces to explore these topics alongside their peers. April is both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, giving educators an opportunity to emphasize these primary prevention skills in schools and classrooms. New resources and lessons included in this newsletter can help educators provide relevant and timely support for students. Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR Section photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash

ODE Updates & Opportunities

Menstrual Dignity for Students Program Reimbursement Update

Amended grant agreements for the Menstrual Dignity for Students program for the 2024-2025 school year have been sent out as of April 8, 2025. Grantees should sign and return amended grant agreements in order to submit reimbursement forms and EGMS claims. Unused funds will be liquidated at the end of the 2023-2025 biennium on August 14, 2025. Additionally, ODE has filled the half-time Menstrual Dignity Act Analyst vacancy.

For questions, reach out to ode.menstrual-dignity@ode.oregon.gov.

See the full update here.

Release: New Substance Use Prevention Resources from ODE

New resources and professional learning opportunities developed by ODE in partnership with WestEd are available to support students and school communities with substance use prevention. Resources include:

• New substance use prevention lesson plans for grades K-12.
• A Substance Use Prevention Virtual Professional Learning Series designed to equip Oregon’s educators and school administrators with essential knowledge and resources to prevent opioid misuse, support at-risk students, and foster prevention-awareness in a proactive school-based climate. Register here for the May series.
• In-person professional development opportunities for districts and ESDs beginning in August, 2025. If you would like to host a Substance Use Prevention and Intervention professional learning session at your district or ESD, please fill out this interest form.

For questions, support, and additional information, please contact the ODE Substance Use Prevention Education Coordinator at ode.substance-prevention@ode.oregon.gov 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Drop-in Office Hours ODE will be offering drop-in office hours on May 6th and June 3rd for school staff supporting student mental health and wellness. The May session will cover substance use prevention within Health Education classrooms and provide an overview of new K-12 substance use prevention lessons released by ODE.  See details and registration information here. Section photo by Sonja Langford on Unsplash

Call to Action: Help Prevent Youth Suicide This Spring

The rates of suicide attempts and related deaths among Oregon's youth often increase each spring. This Call to Action provides resources and action items to equip school administrators and staff, along with caregivers and other trusted adults with skills to support students who may be at risk for suicidal behaviors and refer those students to qualified mental health providers.

View the Suicide Prevention Joint Call to Action here.

Professional Learning: Physical Education Webinars

ODE’s Oregon Healthy Schools and the Oregon Society of Health and Physical Educators (OSHAPE) are presenting two upcoming webinars to support physical education:

• April 30, 2025, 4:30 pm PDT: Supporting Physical Education For All Students 
• May 14, 2025, 4:30 pm PDT: Getting Prepared for the New Oregon Physical Education Standards 

For questions, reach out to reach out to suzanne.hidde@ode.oregon.gov.

Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Town Hall Events ODE’s Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Student Success Plan Program will host several Town Hall meetings across Oregon this Spring. These events will share information and gather community input to enhance the current student success plan and are open to all age groups (children welcome). Please register using the link below to assist with event planning. For questions, contact Carol Matsuzaki, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Student Success Coordinator at ode.nhpi@ode.oregon.gov.  See details and registration information here.

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 for Educators

• FDA approves first at-home, over-the-counter test for STIs. But there's a catch., USA TODAY, March 2025
• The Gender Gap in Teen Experiences, Pew Research Center, March 2025
• Teen girls are facing an increased risk of suicide − and stress related to sexual identity might be contributing to it, The Conversation, February 2025
• The Missing Link: Addressing Boys’ Disengagement from Education, TEACH Magazine, January 2025

Resources for Educators

• Oregon Open Learning K-5 Sex Ed Collection Lesson Plans, new K-5 lesson plans that include topics on healthy relationships and child abuse prevention that meet 2023 Oregon Health Standards (scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Load More” until lessons appear with the K-5 Sex Ed Collection logo)
• Own the Awk, resources on sexual health, relationships, and communication by the National Coalition for Sexual Health
• Updated Terms, glossary of updated terms for sexual and reproductive anatomy by the Responsible Sex Ed Institute
• Introduction to Puberty Education, an asynchronous online training by The Wonder Years
• Why Do Periods Exist?? Your New Musical Menstruation Anthem, a new video from Amaze

Resources for Child Abuse Prevention & Sexual Assault Awareness Months

• Coming soon: Updated ODE Erin’s Law Toolkit
• Primary Prevention of Human Trafficking, Oregon SATF
• Connecting Goals and Strategies for a Healthier and Safer Oregon for Young People, in English and Spanish, Oregon SATF
• Center for Childhood Safety and Wellbeing, a center of University of Oregon working to prevent violence and promote healing, belonging, and child and youth well-being

Resources for STI Awareness Month

• Youth Sexual Health Resources, resources from the Oregon Health Authority
• End HIV Oregon, testing and treatment information from the Oregon Health Authority
• State of Oregon Condom Delivery Program, Oregon Health Authority and End HIV. Condoms are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Consistent and correct use of condoms can also prevent unintended pregnancies.
• Yes, Teens Need To Practice Putting On Condoms, an opinion piece in Teen Health Today, March 2025
• Oregon Open Learning Lesson Plan: Condoms & STIs (7th Grade), Sexuality Education Open Learning Project

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.

• April 30, 2025, 4pm PDT, Know Your IX Webinar: Centering Marginalized Survivors, Advocates for Youth
• May 8, 2025, 12pm PDT, Intersections of Sexual Violence and Stalking Webinar, Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center (SPARC) and Oregon SATF
• May 9, 2025, 11am PDT, Consent Conundrums: Substances, Sexting and STIs, Cardea

• June 24-27, 2025, Comprehensive Violence Prevention Training, Oregon SATF. Newport, Oregon
• October 6-8, 2025, Healthy Teen Network Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA
• October 15-17, 2025, ASHA Annual School Health Conference, Denver, CO

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!