Family Life Education

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

Gr 5: Growth & Changes

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

Gr 5: Growth & Changes

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

Gr. 5: Growth & Changes

Jennifer Tucker
jennifer.tucker@nhcs.net
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 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 with your child's 5th grade teacher and/or email the Growth and Changes teacher for your school for accommodations, questions or concerns.

Growth & Changes Scope & Sequence 

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) (2021-22 - to be updated) 

Parent Education Video SLIDES ONLY 

PARENT EDUCATION VIDEO (SPANISH)  (2021-22 - to be updated)

Growth & Changes Parent Permission Form (English) / (Spanish)

Click below for more information:

• Grade 5 English  Course Description
  • Grado 5 Español  Course Description
• Family Life Topics Covered (gr. 5-8) ENGLISH
  • Family Life Topics Covered (gr. 5-8) SPANISH

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 (23-24)
• BOYS Workbooks (23-24)

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 
• • GIRLS Always Changing Booklet -Espanol 
• BOYS Always Changing Booklet - English 
  • BOYS Always Changing Booklet - Espanol 

Parent Resources

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

Middle School Family Life Education Program

Información en Español

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. 

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, discourse, group work, multi-media, worksheets, games, etc. Students may receive homework that reflects the day’s lesson. Students are encouraged to share this work with their parents. Students receive a grade for the course.

***Some lessons/classes 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.

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

• Family Life Topics Covered (gr. 5-8) ENGLISH
  • Family Life Topics Covered (gr. 5-8) SPANISH

FURTHER INFORMATION:

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: 

Student Workbooks:  (subject to revision each year)

• Stepping Stones 6 
• Stepping Stones 7 
• Stepping Stones 8 
• 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.
• 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.
  • 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  
• 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.
• North Carolina Department of Public Instruction:  Healthful Living Curriculum
• 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.
• Shared Hope -  dedicated to sex trafficking education, prevention and elimination
• Special Needs - suggested books to help with questions and challenges
• Talking with and Listening to Adolescents - Parent/Caregiver Tips - Adolescent Health Working Group
• Talking with Teens - Office of Adolescent Health