Health
The Oregon City School District is proud to partner with families to develop healthy students. A variety of topics are included in the newest health standards. Students will build skills for health and wellness through age appropriate lessons at each grade level. Families are expected and encouraged to share their values with their children as they relate to health education topics. Families that prefer to teach some of these topics at home will have the opportunity to opt out of some health lessons. Information on our new standards, curriculum, process, and who to contact with questions is outlined below. Thank you for working with us to support your child's learning.
Resource for Families
Fake and Fatal: Resources from the Beaverton School District on the dangers of fentanyl
Adopted Curriculum
The following comprehensive health curriculum materials were adopted by the Oregon City School District Board on June 11th, 2018 during regular session:
Elementary Curriculum: Great Body Shop & Second Step (K & 3rd Grade only).
Parents will receive an online link to a Family Bulletin prior to each unit of instruction .
Teacher Edition available for viewing at Oregon City Public Schools District Office.
2023-24 Elementary Health Timeline (for staff)
Middle School: McGraw-Hill Teen Health.
Teacher Edition available for viewing at Oregon City Public Schools District Office.
High School: Goodheart-Wilcox Comprehensive Health 2nd Edition.
Teacher Edition available for viewing at Oregon City Public Schools District Office
State of Oregon Health Standards
Aligned to national standards, Oregon’s health standards and benchmarks support health, wellbeing, and safety of students. The Human Sexuality Education law (2009); the Healthy Teen Relationship Act (2013); and most recently, SB 856 Child Sexual Abuse prevention (2015) collectively contribute to the Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Human Sexuality OAR and sexual health benchmarks and standards. Comprehensive Oregon Health Standards
Resources
For questions about state law, policy, standards, and the legislative process relating to the Oregon Health Standards, email: ode.sexed@ode.oregon.gov
For questions about the curriculum adoption process and district policy regarding instruction, materials, the communication timeline, or the opt out process, contact:
Dr. Sara Deboy, Assistant Superintendent
Email: sara.deboy@orecity.k12.or.us
The following links may also be helpful:
Oregon Department of Education Online Resources including Grade Level Standards
CDC National Standards for Health Education:
Erin’s Law (Sexual Abuse Prevention)
Adi’s Law (Suicide Prevention)
Comprehensive Sexuality Health Plan
Based on the Oregon State Health Education Standards, the Oregon City School District (OCSD) Comprehensive Sexuality Education Plan reflects science-based research emphasizing the teaching of functional health knowledge. This plan supports students in developing the essential health skills necessary to adopt, practice, and maintain a lifetime of good health and wellness. The plan was approved by the Oregon City School Board on June 11th, 2018 during regular session. To view the plan, click here.
Copies of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education standards, the curriculum textbooks, and/or other materials are available for public review and have gone through a process prior to the school board approval for purchasing. Some of these materials are available at your child’s school or online, so please check with your principal and/or child’s teacher first.
For more information visit the State of Oregon’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education Guidelines.
School Board Communications
September 10th, 2018
August 13th, 2018
June 11th, 2018
April 9th, 2018
November 13th, 2017
October 23rd, 2017
September 11th, 2017
June 12th, 2017
Parent & Community Forums
The Oregon City School District engaged parents and community members during the adoption process through a series of meetings in the winter and spring of 2018. The following presentation was used at each community meeting and is provided here (PDF in English, Russian and Spanish).
Elementary curriculum nights will include information on all subjects, including the adopted health curriculum. The adopted health curriculum will be available for parents to review.
Teacher Guidelines for Handling Sensitive Topics
For sensitive topics, teachers should only address clarifications to the curriculum, not subject matter that extends beyond lesson plans. Questions should be addressed in age-appropriate, medically accurate ways, aligned with the adopted curriculum. Supplemental health curriculum and materials will not be added. Some questions will be referred to counselors or addressed privately, such as when a student discloses information that creates a safety concern.
Opt Out Process
At the elementary level, Units 5, 6, & 8 contain what might be considered sensitive topics for some families, most of which are related to the implementation of Erin’s Law. Erin’s Law requires the development and adoption of child sexual abuse prevention programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in all Oregon public schools. Topics also include communicable diseases, HIV/AIDs, and gender identity. All parent communication files are available below under the supporting documents section. Parent communication will be sent two weeks before units 5, 6, & 8.
Parents will need to actively opt out as opposed to giving permission for students to participate. Participation is assumed in accordance with state law and Oregon Health Standards. OCSD strongly advises parents to review the adopted materials prior to making the decision to opt their students out of Units 5, 6, or 8. Materials are available at the district office for preview at any time. Opt out forms will be attached to the parent communication associated with Units 5, 6, and 8.
At the middle level, Health Teachers will send out a parent communication at the beginning of each trimester with an overview of the syllabus, including a list of all topics that are covered. In addition to this, parent communication will be sent out throughout the trimester with reminders and specific information related to topics that may be considered sensitive by some families.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend curriculum nights for additional information and for the opportunity to review all adopted materials.
Other Letters
Health Unit 1 Parent Letter 2020 (Spanish)
Health Unit 1 Parent Letter 2020 (Russian)
Health Unit 1 Parent Letter 2020 (English)
Health Unit 2 Parent Letter 2020 (Spanish)
Health Unit 2 Parent Letter 2020 (Russian)
Health Unit 2 Parent Letter 2020 (English)
Health Unit 3 Parent Letter 2020 (Spanish)
Health Unit 3 Parent Letter 2020 (Russian)
Health Unit 3 Parent Letter 2020 (English)
Health Unit 4 Parent Letter 2020 (Spanish)
Health Unit 4 Parent Letter 2020 (Russian)
Health Unit 4 Parent Letter 2020 (English)
Health Unit 7 Parent Letter 2020 (Spanish)