Family Life Education
"The mission of the Family Life Education Department is to provide a medically accurate and age appropriate human development and sexuality education that encourages parent/child communication, promotes abstinence and enables all students to make responsible decisions regarding their health and sexuality."
Contact
Phone: 910-254-4200
Teachers
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 Program
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 at the cellular level, personal body safety, emotions, friendships, and for girls only, types and use of feminine hygiene products.
ALL lessons in grade 5 are divided by biological sex. Please work through your child's 5th grade teacher and/or email the Growth and Changes teacher for your school for accommodations, questions or concerns.
Teachers' Assigned Schools and Email
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 SLIDES ONLY
PARENT EDUCATION VIDEO (SPANISH)
And click below for more information:
This curriculum uses a variety of teaching methods including lecture, discussion, group work, role-playing, videos, worksheets, games, etc.
Student Classroom Workbooks (subject to revision each year)
- GIRLS Workbooks (21-22)
- BOYS Workbooks (21-22)
Parents may learn more about the Family Life Education programs by attending the annual "Fall Parent Information Session", viewing the information above or by emailing one of the teachers. Parents will be notified of the date/location of the parent information session by the 5th grade teachers and possibly via Connect 5 emails and phone calls.
Student Resources
- GIRLS Always Changing Booklet - English
- BOYS Always Changing Booklet - English
- BOYS Always Changing Booklet - Espanol
Parent Resources
- Parents Booklet "How to Support Your Child During Puberty - English
- Parent Conversation Starter for female child - English
- Parent Conversation Starter for male child - English
Middle School Program
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.
***Some lessons may be divided by biological sex. Some lessons include information about sexual assault. Please email the FLE teacher for your school for accommodations, questions or concerns.
STEPPING STONES UPGRADES (Approved by NHCS Title IX Committee and Effective Jan. 2021)
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)
PARENT EDUCATION VIDEO - Family Life Courses (Stepping Stones and My Life) Overview
PARENT EDUCATION VIDEO (SPANISH)
Parent Information SLIDES ONLY - English
Parent Information SLIDES ONLY - Spanish
Course Descriptions and Topics Covered Chart:
Spanish Course Description/Topics Covered Chart
Grade 7: English Course Description/Topics Covered Chart
Grade 8: English Course Description/Topics Covered 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.
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.
Student Workbooks: (subject to revision each year)
Parent Resources
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.
- Books for kids, tweens and teens - 16 Great Sex Ed Books for Kids, Tweens and Teens
- Center for Disease Control - the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s 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.
- 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
- Sexual Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)
- 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 and Listening to Adolescents - Adolescent Health Working Group
- Talking with Teens - Office of Adolescent Health