These guidelines have been developed to assist staff in implementing the District's program for sex education and AIDS education. The term sex education will include instruction related to reproductive health and family planning, human sexuality, emotional, physical, psychological, hygienic, economic, and social aspects of family life, venereal diseases, noncasual-contact communicable diseases such as AIDS, and abstinence from sex as a responsible method for restriction and prevention of noncasual-contact communicable diseases and as a positive life-style for unmarried young people.

A Confirmation Checklist (Form 2413 F2/Form 2414 F2) has been prepared which is based on the Michigan Department of Education's sex education guidelines and is designed to ensure that the program is implemented properly and minimizes concern by parents or other interested parties.

Each principal should use the Checklist in working with the school staff at the beginning of each school year. Prior to the start of the program each year, the principal shall inform parents of their rights concerning the program. (See Form 2414 F1). Also, whenever any additions or modifications are made to the program, the Board shall conduct two (2) public hearings before the program can be approved and implemented. Once the program has been started, a copy of the completed confirmation should be sent to the Superintendent's office by no later than September 30th and the original should be maintained in the school office.

In the event of a complaint about the program, the person or party should be made aware of the Board's complaint procedure described in Policy 9130. This policy is available at both the Superintendent's Office and the office of each school. Any such complaint is most likely to concern the program itself or its implementation rather than the particular person teaching the program. Therefore, as the policy indicates, the complaint is to be handled by the school's principal and not by a teacher. Be sure the complainant receives a copy of the procedure either through the mail or by coming to the office. Complaints that originate at the central office are to be handled in the same manner.

Although the law allows a student to be excused from classes but not the course, no student is to be excused from a lesson or activity in either program unless and until the parent has come to the school, reviewed the program lessons and materials, had the opportunity to observe the instruction, if so desired, and filed a complaint in accordance with Policy 9130. The principal is to make sure the materials are available and that any complaint is focused on a particular topic or type of activity rather than on general reactions.