September 11, 2026 

Dear Colleagues,

Back-to-school energy is filling hallways across Oregon as students and school staff embark on the new adventure of the 2026-27 school year, ready to learn and play.

September brings the excitement of a new school year and new opportunities to build strong partnerships with students, families, and school communities. As educators establish routines and foster welcoming learning environments, the start of the year offers a chance to ground into our shared commitment to supporting students' health, well-being, and academic success. Through open communication, inclusive practices, and meaningful engagement with families, schools can help create the conditions where all students feel connected, valued, and ready to learn.

Header photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash, Newberg, OR.

Section photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

Sex Ed Spotlight: Back-to-School Planning

Thinking about implementation

The beginning of the school year is a great time to review your district’s Comprehensive Sex Ed Plan of Instruction, including confirming who is teaching sexuality education, when instruction will occur, and what standards-aligned instructional materials will be used. It is also an opportunity to identify professional learning needs for educators and ensure that all students have access to inclusive, high-quality, and age- and developmentally- appropriate instruction. Planning for caregiver and parent engagement early, reviewing feedback from previous years, and documenting key processes (including opt-out) can help schools support instruction that works to both serve student needs and build meaningful connections with families.

Supporting student learning and belonging

Back-to-school season is also a chance to begin weaving together comprehensive health & sexuality education and broader learning goals, especially literacy. Through reading, discussion, media analysis, and communication, students strengthen literacy and critical thinking skills while making connections to social science, digital citizenship, and transformative social-emotional learning. Health and sexuality education materials provide opportunities for students to develop literacy skills by learning content vocabulary, analyzing information, discussing ideas, supporting their thinking with evidence, and communicating with others.

Reviewing family communication materials, establishing classroom agreements, and integrating literacy strategies into instruction, helps create inclusive learning environments where students feel connected, respected, and ready to learn.

Resources for the year ahead

In this edition of the newsletter, you'll find Oregon-developed instructional resources, professional learning opportunities, research, and tools to support comprehensive sexuality education throughout the school year. We also invite you to visit ODE's newly redesigned Sexuality Education webpage for updated guidance, instructional supports, and information for educators, families, and school leaders. We hope these resources help you start the year with confidence while fostering the health, safety, belonging, and success of all students.

Section photo by Julio Lopez on Unsplash

New Sex Ed Open Learning High School Lessons

Ten new high school lessons have been published on the Oregon Open Learning Hub’s Health Group. These lessons explore timely and relevant topics including HIV/AIDS stigma, reproductive health policy and rights, media literacy, menstrual dignity, communication skills, genetics and family health history, and the historical and systemic factors that shape health access and identity. Developed in partnership with Portland Public Schools, Advocates for Youth, and the Oregon Department of Education, these lessons are aligned to Oregon Health Education Standards and grounded in inclusive, student-centered practices that strengthen critical thinking, civic engagement, and health literacy skills. 

Oregon Open Learning Hub’s Sex Ed Open Learning Collection

Released: Oregon Friends for Life Campaign

The Oregon Friends for Life campaign provides posters, handouts, and more to engage students in discussions about fentanyl, overdose prevention, and treatment. Resources are available in seven languages. This campaign is supported by ODE and OHA. Contact rebecca.garza@oha.oregon.gov for technical assistance or questions.