HEALTH EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
PROCESS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Background of the Issue
On September 10, 1996, Dr. Bristol placed a moratorium on the condom demonstration in grades 9 and 10 health classes as a response to concerns by some parents and community members. This action was not viewed as an appropriate decision by another group of students, parents and community members. Consequently, both groups voiced their concerns at the September 18, 1996 and October 2, 1996 Board of Education meetings.
In addition to the moratorium, Dr. Bristol created a process to address the matter beginning with the formation of a committee of residents, parents and staff to study the issue and provide him with recommendations and advice. Dr. Bristol publicly announced his need for volunteers and subsequently created the Health Advisory Committee from those who stepped forward.
The committee held its first meeting on November 18th with James Chittum, Assistant Superintendent acting as Facilitator and Diane Celeste of Southem Connecticut State University as Consultant.
Commmittee Membership
| Ms. Lisa Orleman Ms. Mary Ronan Ms. Barbara Topf Uziel Rev. Andrew Varga Ms. Cynthia Adamski Ms. Julie Conner Ms. Robin Glaser Ms. Kathleen Houde Dr. Mhora Newsom-Stewart |
Dr. Maria Ortner Ms. Darlenne Senete Mr. Thomas Turkenkopf Rev. Peter Wiley Ms. Diane Arifian Dr. Matthew Farrell Ms. Donna Gramling Ms. Joanne Hunter Ms. Diane Celeste Health Consultant, S.C.S.U. |
Ms. Elsa Reiss Ms. Phyllis Snyder Ms. Kathleen VanDuzee Ms. Andrea Woronick Ms. Mary Ellen Clifford Ms. Patricia Gentile Ms. Susann Grohs Mr. Mark Levine Mr. James Chinum Facilitator |
Student Interview Sub Committee
| Ms. Donna Gramling Ms. Elsa Reiss |
Mr. Thomas Turkenkopf Ms. Lisa Orleman |
Dr. Maria Ortner |
Meeting Dates
November 18 January 6 January 13 - 31 February 3 February 24 March 10 March 24 April 7 |
Introduction; Guidelines For Deliberations; Best Hopes for Brookfield Curriculum Overview. Curriculum Overview; Feedback Sheets. Open Display of Materials. Condom Demonstration; Review of Exclusion Policy. Discussion of Concerns; Character Counts. Report From Visiting Sub Committee; Discussion of Concerns. Review of Draft Document. Review of Draft Document |
Charge of the Committee
The committee was intended to serve as a sounding board, and also as a forum for faculty and community to make informed decisions about the nature of the district's health education program. The committee was asked to review, deliberate, reflect and come to a working consensus to draft recommendations and then provide the district advice on the general issue of how the Brookfield Public Schools should educate its youth regarding human sexuality and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. More specifically, the Committee was asked to:
· review the current health cumculum specifically focusing on those units of instruction dealing with Hurnan Growth and Development (HGD) and Disease Prevention;
· deliberate and reflect on the issues raised during the initial reviews considering such questions as the requirements imposed by state law, the rational and goals of the program and the soundness of the pedagogical practices being undertaken or contemplated;
· seek common ground; listen deeply to one another; find ways that serve the best interest of our young people, while not abridging the rights and core beliefs of others;
· report the committees recommendations to the Superintendent by February 13, 1997.
Committee Process
The committee conducted its meetings on Monday evenings at the school district's curriculum room at Town Hall. The first meeting was devoted to identifying and listing the knowledge, skills, attitudes and healthy behaviors the committee desired for Brookfield graduates.( See attachments A,B) The second and third meetings and a portion of the fourth were devoted to a presentation of the Disease Prevenhon and Human Growth And Development curricula by the health education teachers. (See attachments E,F,H,I,J) Committee members asked questions to gain a clear understanding of existing instruction and activities.
In the interest of saving time, individual committee members were not permitted to make oral presentations of alternate programs or information from other sources. In addition, the committee set up a process by which any committee member could submit literature about any topic under discussion. This literature was placed on the matenals table in the curriculum room and committee members could choose whether or not to read it.
Materials used in the health classes were placed on display for three weeks in the curriculum room. Committee members were able to review these materials at times convenient for them, including during some evenings. Committee members were allowed to submit altemate information and descriptions of programs for all to review.
The condom demonstrations in grades 8 - 10 were simulated for the committee during the fourth meeting. In addition to the demonstration, the committee addressed the exclusion policy and the state laws that mandate some health topics and permit exclusion from some others. After the staff presentation of the curriculum and the review of the materials, the committee used small group discussions to identify the eight areas of concem that form the content of this report. The small groups shared their thoughts and ideas to the committee as a whole which refined the concerns into issues statements and recommendations.
The committee decided to meet with 11th and 12th grade health education students at the high school, utilizing a group interview format (See attachment C) which focused on the major concems of the committee. On February 7th five committee members visited five 11th and 12th grade health classes, meeting with a total of over 120 students. The responses were reported to the committee at the March 10th meeting.
The remaining meetings focused on a review of the eight concems of the committee and the committee's action to refine its recommendations. All members were able to review the committee recommendations and offer revisions prior to submission to Dr. Bristol. The committee reached consensus and supported the content and recommendations contained in the report. In addition, individu~ls were allowed to attach dissenting opinions if they wished. (See attachment L)
The following issues and recommendations were submitted to Dr. Bristol on April 10, 1997.
Issue No. 1 - Abstinence
Issue No. 2 - Condom Instruction/Demonstration
Issue No. 3 - Parent Involvement
Issue No. 4 - Exclusion From Instruction
Issue No. 5 - Appropriateness of Materials
Issue No. 6 - K-5 Curriculum
Issue No. 7 - 11th and 12th Grade Curriculum
Issue No. 8 - Character Building Programs