IHAMA
SHUTESBURY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
PARENTAL NOTIFICATION RELATIVE TO SEX EDUCATION
In
accordance with law, the School Committee has adopted this policy on the rights
of parents and guardians of our students in relation to curriculum that
primarily involves human sexual education or human sexuality issues.
During
the school year, all parents/guardians of students participating in our schools
will be notified in writing of the courses and curriculum we offer that
primarily involve human sexual or human sexuality issues. The Principal will be
responsible for sending the notice(s). If planned curricula change during the
school year, to the extent practicable, parents/guardians will be notified of
this fact in a timely manner before implementation.
Each
such notice to parents/guardians will include a brief description of the
curriculum covered by this policy, and will inform parents/guardians that they
may:
1. Exempt their child from any portion of the
curriculum that primarily involves human sexual education or human sexual
issues, without penalty to the student, by sending a letter to the school
Principal requesting an exemption. Any student who is exempted by request of
the parent/guardian under this policy may be given an alternative assignment.
2. Inspect and review program instruction materials
for these curricula, which will be made reasonably accessible to
parents/guardians and others to the extent practicable. Parents/guardians may
arrange with the Principal to review the materials at the school and may also
review them at other locations that may be determined by the Superintendent of
Schools.
A
parent/guardian who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Principal concerning
notice, access to instructional materials, or exemption for the student under
this policy may send a written request to the Superintendent for review of the
issue. The Superintendent or designee will review the issue and give the
parent/guardian a timely written decision, preferably within two weeks of the
request. A parent/guardian who is dissatisfied with the Superintendent's
decision may send a written request to the School Committee for review of the
issue. The School Committee will review the issue and give the parent/guardian
a timely written decision, preferably within four weeks of the request. A
parent/guardian who is still dissatisfied after this process may send a written
request to the Commissioner of Education for review of the issue in the
dispute.
SOURCE:
MASC October 2016
LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 71:32A
Edited and approved by Shutesbury
Policy Committee: 05/17/18
First Reading by Shutesbury School
Committee: 06/20/18
Second Reading by Shutesbury School
Committee: 09/20/18
Final Vote by Shutesbury School Committee: 11/15/18