IJB-P1 - School Guidelines for Potentially Sensitive Topics in the Physical Education/Health Curriculum

The newly implemented Physical Education/Health Education curriculum has been developed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to make healthy lifestyle decisions.  The general learning outcomes (GLO’s) identified in Kindergarten to Grade 12 Physical Education/Health Education:  Manitoba Curriculum Framework of Outcomes for Active Health Lifestyles (Manitoba Education and Training) are expected to form the basis of classroom learning, teaching, and assessment.  However, student learning outcomes in two strands, Substance Use and Abuse Prevention and Human Sexuality (in GLO 5 – Healthy Lifestyles Practices) as well as in the Personal Safety (prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse) sub-strand (in GLO 3 – Safety) contain potentially sensitive content.  These outcomes are found in grades K, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 10.

Potentially sensitive content must be treated in ways that are appropriate for the local school and community context.  Prairie Spirit School Division recognizes that the prime responsibility for education about issues of Substance Use and Abuse Prevention, Human Sexuality, and Personal Safety, rest with the family.  Therefore the following guidelines are in place:

1. In the Prairie Spirit School Division, students will receive instruction in Physical Education/Health Education as outlined in the Manitoba curriculum.

2. For student learning outcomes related to potentially sensitive issues of Human Sexuality, Substance Use and Abuse Prevention, and Safety of Self and Others, schools must seek parental involvement and provide a delivery option prior to implementation.

3. Schools must provide information to parents on the content of the potentially sensitive topic and parental options for delivery of this content.

4. Parents/guardians can accept the school-based program delivery for all, some, or none of the potentially sensitive topics.

5. When the school-based program delivery is rejected by a parent/guardian it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to instruct his/her child, based on the Manitoba curriculum.

6. Schools will provide copies of resource documents from the Manitoba curriculum for parents who choose to instruct their child on potentially sensitive topics.

7. Evaluation of student performance on the alternative delivery model will be based upon the same benchmarks and rubric as used in the school-based program.  The classroom teacher will set the evaluation date.

Specific Procedures for the Treatment of Potentially Sensitive Content documents developed for different levels will be used by the schools.