On Tuesday February 11th, 9th grade Da Vinci High School students will have the opportunity to see a dramatic performance entitled “What Goes Around.” This performance is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. The play tells the story of five students and how their behavior and connections to each other also connect them to other people who are unknown to them. The play uses visual monitors, text messaging, cellular and computer technology to better reach its audience and to clearly illustrate its message: there are epidemic rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the high school age group.
“What Goes Around” provides health information about STDs and students hear the facts and myths about STDs and see how the choices they make have a lasting impact on the lives of other people. The 60-minute play is followed by a 15 minute talkback session in which the actor-educators answer audience questions about sexually transmitted diseases. The key message points of “What Goes Around” are:
- The option of abstinence
- The importance of testing
- Prevention
For more information about the play you can visit their website: https://etsoutherncalifornia.kaiserpermanente.org/std-prevention/
Also happening in conjunction with this play are additional sex ed-health lessons/curriculum. Health lessons will occur in advisory throughout the second semester. Da Vinci Schools has adopted the Teen Talk curriculum which includes the below core components:
- Covers topics of sexual and reproductive anatomy, conception and fetal development, birth control, pregnancy options, STIs and HIV, gender and sexual orientation, media analysis, relationships, sexual crimes, consent, communication and decision-making
- Establishes a foundation for understanding sexual health and common language for communicating respectfully
- Helps students identify resources (e.g., parents/trusted adults, school personnel, healthcare providers)
- Encourages communication with parents/trusted adults, including an interview assignment
- Uses gender inclusive language
More info on the curriculum used can be found here: https://www.health-connected.org
9th grade students will be given a hard copy of the following letter to take home today: DVC Sexuality Education Parent Notification. Parents/guardians have the option of excluding their child from sexuality education instruction. If you do not want your child to participate in comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention education, please give a written letter to the office. Students who are excused will be assigned study hall for the period. Questions can be directed to the School Nurse, Emily Green at egreen@davincischools.org.