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"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day all be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind. Let it be something good."

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Know

When my kids were in elementary school, a new kind of math education system was being implemented. I don't recall what this curriculum was called, I'm sure it's a mental block, but I remember the ongoing complaints by parents in our community.

▪ "What is this? They have to figure it out on their own??!"
▪ "What happened to solving math problems like I did back-in-the-day?"
▪ "How can I help them with this stuff? I have no idea how to solve these problems!"
"What is this? They have to figure it out on their own??!"
"What happened to solving math problems like I did back-in-the-day?"
"How can I help them with this stuff? I have no idea how to solve these problems!"

In other words, parents were demanding that teachers use their classroom time actually teaching strategies to solve math problems. (FYI: They actually were. It was just new to us.)

So, let's apply that parental concern to health education in the classroom. Kids pretty much get no health education in elementary school, other than incidental instruction ("Wash your hands before lunch!") or what the PE educators implement into their programs.

In middle school in our district, kids get 6 weeks of health instruction, covering all body systems. In high school, it is one semester. Their entire four-year career!

Think about that.

The one thing all kids - all humans! - have in common is that they have a body and they will have sex someday. Yet, we spend so little time educating our youth about how to take care of their health: physical, mental, social, and sexual.

Why aren't parents complaining about the lack of sex education in school by qualified instructors?

Hopefully that will change soon.

In Illinois, there is a new amendment to House Bill 1736 (The REACH Act) that needs to get passed.

Basically, it is requiring that students in Illinois receive evidence-informed sex education. This means, as Representative Willis states, sex education will be mandated to be "medically, scientifically and academically accurate."

You know, like all other subjects in school.

It will also include
* Guidance for school personnel on how to identify sexual abuse of students;
* Be inclusive of all identities;
* Offer age-appropriate education beginning in Kindergarten.

So tell me, what do you know about your child's health/sex education experience in their school? What is being taught and by whom?

Check here to see what your state implements for their sex education curriculum.

Then, contact yourState Representative. Send them an email or make a call to let them know that sex education that is inclusive, science-based, evidence-informed and taught by specially trained health educators should be mandatory in all schools across the nation.

It's just common sense, just like a solid math curriculum, to be taught best practices in caring for your body.

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Meet

Kara Haug (she/her) hosts the Reframing Our Stories podcast. She seeks to change the narrative around sexual health, relationships, and conversations that goes with them.

Kara began her career in sexual health in 2015 as the founder of Grace Unbound after graduating from University of Michigan's Certificate program in Sexual Health Education and Counseling. She holds a Masters in Theological Studies and sought out church communities to help guide them in creating inclusive spaces and having sex positive conversations without shame. Kara has grown these businesses while being a stay at home mom and a Pastor's wife.

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Learn

My friend and colleague, Amy Lang with Birds & Bees & Kids is offering this important class for parents. Unfortunately, your child will see pornography at some point and it’s your job to prepare them for it.

How to prep your kids for porn exposure

Don't think this is going to happen? It will. 100% guaranteed.
Learn:

▪ How to explain porn in an age-appropriate way
▪ Ideas for things they can do when they see it
▪ What to do to reduce the chance of exposure
▪ How to respond when they see it
▪ How to talk to other parents about what they are doing to keep kids safer online.
How to explain porn in an age-appropriate way
Ideas for things they can do when they see it
What to do to reduce the chance of exposure
How to respond when they see it
How to talk to other parents about what they are doing to keep kids safer online.

RECORDING INCLUDED!

Option One

Friday, April 2
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM PT

https://buytickets.at/amylang/505422

Option Two

Tuesday, April 6
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM PT

https://buytickets.at/amylang/505422

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Explore

Check out @SEAConnects on Facebook to find classes and information relevant to you and your family about sexuality education.

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#WearAMask

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Join

Please join our private Facebook Community and share your thoughts about how your school year is coming along. Let's get this conversation going, for our children' sake. TWC Parent Community

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Please Note: The Teen World Confidential and International Sex Education Day Newsletter will now be sent twice a month rather than weekly.

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Do you know someone who would love weekly tips and tools for talking to kids about sex and relationships? Share this email with them and invite them to sign up for the newsletter.

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