Family Life Education

Joelle Newman 
joelle.newman@nhcs.net
910-254-4300 office

Lead Health and PE Teacher - Curriculum & Instruction Division

Family Life Education Teacher - Gr. 5: Growth & Changes

James Castiglione
james.castiglione@nhcs.net
Middle School:  My Life

Suzanne Tadlock
suzanne.tadlock@nhcs.net
Middle School:  Stepping Stones

Lauren Tyson
lauren.tyson@nhcs.net
Middle School:  Stepping Stones

Margie Shuffler
margaret.shuffler@nhcs.net
910-520-7380 cell
Middle School:  Stepping Stones

Gr. 5: Growth & Changes

Jennifer Tucker
jennifer.tucker@nhcs.net
910-200-4598 cell
Middle School:  Stepping Stones

Gr. 5: Growth & Changes

Elementary School Program

Grade 5- Growth and Changes

This locally developed curriculum was first implemented in 1981. The main topics are puberty, the reproductive systems including human reproduction, personal body safety, emotions, friendships, and for girls only, types and use of feminine hygiene products. Boys and girls are separated for all lessons in Grade 5.

This curriculum uses a variety of teaching methods including lecture, discussion, group work, role-playing, videos, worksheets, games, etc. 

**During Covid Plan B and Plan C, this curriculum will be online through an asynchronous Google Classroom, monitored by a Family Life Growth and Changes educator. Lessons will include short screencasted videos by the Growth and Changes teachers, simple questions, Edpuzzles, and Google Form activities.  

Parents may learn more about the Family Life Education programs by attending the annual "Fall Parent Information Session", viewing the information below or by emailing one of the teachers.   Parents will be notified of the date/location of the parent information session via Connect 5 emails and phones calls.   

To meet the teachers and learn more about the Growth and Changes program, watch the following video:

PARENT EDUCATION VIDEO (Learn about Growth and Changes, Meet the teachers, FAQ)

PARENT EDUCATION VIDEO (SPANISH) 

• Grade 5 English  Course Description
  • Grado 5 Español  Course Description
• English Scope and Sequence Chart
  • Spanish Scope and Sequence Chart
• Parent Consent Form - English
  • Parent Consent Form - Español
• Parent Information Meeting Slides - English
  • Parent Information Meeting Slides - Español

Student Booklet (resources)

• GIRLS Always Changing Booklet - English (NEW)
• • GIRLS Always Changing Booklet -Espanol (NEW)
• BOYS Always Changing Booklet - English (NEW)
  • BOYS Always Changing Booklet - Espanol (NEW)

PARENT BOOKLETS AND CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Parents Booklet "How to Support Your Child During Puberty  - English (NEW)
  • Parents Booklet "How to Support Your Child During Puberty -Espanol (NEW)
• Parent Conversation Starter for female child - English (NEW)
  • Parent Conversation Starter for female child -Espanol (NEW)
• Parent Conversation Starter for male child - English (NEW)
  • Parent Conversation Starter for male child -Espanol (NEW)

Middle School Family Life Education Program

Each year, parents of middle school students are given the opportunity to choose a Family Life Education course for their child. The two courses are: MY LIFE: Choices Today for a Healthy Tomorrow, an abstinence-until-marriage course or STEPPING STONES TO BETTER LIVING: Responsible Decisions, an abstinence-based comprehensive course. Parents can also choose to opt their child out of either Family Life Education course. 

PARENT EDUCATION VIDEO - Family Life Courses Overview 

PARENT EDUCATION VIDEO (SPANISH)

Parent Information Slides ONLY - English (NEW)

Parent Information Slides ONLY - Spanish (NEW)

Course Descriptions and Scope & Sequence Chart: 

Both Family Life Education courses are taught during a portion of the student’s health or physical education classes and use a variety of teaching methods including lecture, discussion, group work, role-playing, multi-media, worksheets, games, etc. Students receive homework that reflects the day’s lesson. Students are encouraged to share this work with their parents. Students are tested for understanding and receive a grade for the course.

**During Covid Plan B and Plan C, this curriculum will be online through an asynchronous Google Classroom, monitored by a Family Life educator. Lessons will include short screencasted videos by the teachers, simple questions, Edpuzzles, Kahoots and Google Form activities.  

Parents can learn more about the Family Life Education courses by attending the annual Parent Education Open House, by viewing the PARENT INFORMATION SLIDES links above, by reviewing the curricula at their child’s school or by contacting a Family Life Education teacher. 

STEPPING STONES UPGRADES  (Effective Jan. 2021) - NEW

Based on the newly updated National Sexuality Education Standards (2020), Stepping Stones classes will include standards-based discussions of gender roles, inclusivity and sexual orientation. 

• Gender roles slides (Gr. 6-7)
• Gender inclusivity terminology slides (Gr. 7-8)
• Sexual orientation slides (Gr. 7-8)

Student Workbooks:  (***not being used during remote or hybrid instruction)

• Stepping Stones Gr. 6 (soon to be linked)
• Stepping Stones Gr. 7 (soon to be linked)
• Stepping Stones Gr. 8 (soon to be linked)
• My Life Grade 6
• My Life Grade 7
• My Life Grade 8

The links below provide additional resources that supplement the Family Life Education program.

• Advocates for Youth - Advocates for Youth works alongside thousands of young people here in the U.S. and around the globe as they fight for sexual health, rights, and justice.
• American Social Health Association - believes that everyone has the right to information and services that will help them be sexually healthy.  We aim to provide resources and information that is reliable, science-based, and stigma-free.
• Being Girl:  For Girls, By Girls - BeingGirl YouTube Channel presented by Always and Tampax - Learn about puberty, your first period, tampons for beginners, shaving and more. 
• Center for Disease Control - the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health.
  • Covid19 Parental Resources Kit
  • Division of Adolescent and School Health
• Coastal Horizons Center, Inc - promotes choices for healthier lives and safer communities by providing professional assistance to those in need of prevention, crisis intervention, criminal justice alternatives, community outreach, substance abuse and mental health treatment services.
• Common Sense Media - our goal is to call attention to the outsized influence of media and tech on kids' lives and to empower families with the information they need to be advocates for their children.
  • Parents Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls  
• Internet Safety - Shared Hope.org, dedicated to sex trafficking education, prevention and elimination
• Internet Safety Contract
• Loveisrespect.org - love is respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources.
• National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
• NC Teen Pregnancy Data
• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:  Healthful Living Curriculum
• North Carolina Healthy Schools
• North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics
• Sex Positive Families - provides education and resources that help families raise sexually healthy children using a shame-free, comprehensive, and pleasure-positive approach.
• SHIFTNC - Sexual Health Initiatives for Teens
• Talking with Teens - Office of Adolescent Health