School district launches student condom policy

[Hum]

SPRINGFIELD ? The School Department will be contacting parents by letter and by telephone during the next two weeks to provide details of a new program that allows students ages 12 and older to have access to condoms.

The notice will stress that parents and guardians have the right to ?opt out,? by signing a form if they do not want their children to have access to the program.

The access to condoms under the new ?Comprehensive Reproductive Health Policy,? was approved by the School Committee in April by a 4-3 vote, with the aim of reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted illnesses.

Letters and opt-out forms will be mailed before school starts, just targeting the affected families of middle school and high school students, ages 12 and older. The opt out forms can be returned by mail or in person, or written notice can be provided any time during the year, according to the policy.

In addition, parents will be contacted by the Connect-Ed telephone system before school starts, with basic information about the new program, officials said.

Under the program that takes effect Sept. 1, condoms will be available for eligible students from school nurses at the middle schools and high schools and the school-based health clinics.

?School nurses will educate eligible students on abstinence, faithfulness, STI/HIV, pregnancy, and storage and usage of condoms,? the policy states. ?Eligible students will be able to ask questions which will be answered factually and in an age-appropriate manner.?

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[jnelsoninjax]

Sad that they have to do this, but it seems like a good idea to me.

[nominak]

Kids will be kids. This is a great step to educate them on the use of contraception.

[Growled Member]

Thank god the parents have an option to opt their kids out if they want.

[nominak]

Thank god the parents have an option to opt their kids out if they want.

So unprotected and undereducated is the way to go?

[Ryoken]

Ya because if the kid doesn't have condoms, he won't have sex..

It's also while teenage pregnancy is so rare in bible belt..

Give the kids access, either they won't need them, they won't use them, or they will use them and be safer in the process.

[Aethec]

The notice will stress that parents and guardians have the right to ?opt out,? by signing a form if they do not want their children to have access to the program.

That's incredibly short-sighted, but least it should give enough evidence that there is a strong correlation between teen pregnancy/STDs and education/access to contraception.

[freedonX]

I'm no expert, but I think more than the issue of 12-13 year old kids using condoms but the education (or however you want to call it) that kids that age are having sex. I think there's an age for things. Heck even if they were 15. Yeah sure I'm aware there are tons of pregnant teens, but that's not an excuse.

Needless to say, I think the school acted intelligent (or somewhat) , they gave a solution, it's up to the parents to take it or leave it. If parents don't care, then well it's up to them.

[Hum]

Seems strange to think of 12 year-olds using condoms.

[Linkinfamous]

There's a very strong correlation between teenage pregnancy and abstinence education.

Might as well drill safe sex into their minds from an early age. Biology is inherently driven to reproduce as early as is safely possible to maximize the number of offspring. The idea that we can overcome the single strongest drive in biology post-maturation in any form is rather arrogant.

[nominak]

Seems strange to think of 12 year-olds using condoms.

Not in this day and age.

[Growled Member]

So unprotected and undereducated is the way to go?

Maybe it should be up to the parents to educate them, and to help them choose protection.

[nominak]

Maybe it should be up to the parents to educate them, and to help them choose protection.

It should be, but most times people don't talk to their parents about sex, and the parents dont talk to the children about it either. So their best option is to do it where they actually get educated.

[compl3x]

Maybe it should be up to the parents to educate them, and to help them choose protection.

I agree parent should choose the way their kids are educated about sex, but really, what is so dangerous about having an honest, biologically accurate discussion in class about sex, and how to avoid disease and pregnancy?

It not a coincidence that abstinence only schools/states have high rates of STDs and teen pregnancy.

[Rohdekill]

I'm just waiting for the first lawsuit in where the school is sued for child support due to a small rip in the condom.

[Growled Member]

I agree parent should choose the way their kids are educated about sex, but really, what is so dangerous about having an honest, biologically accurate discussion in class about sex, and how to avoid disease and pregnancy?

I don't see the problem myself but you know some parents.

[BattleDaggit]

If it was a catholic school, the condoms would be for the teachers.

[mokthraka]

This is news?

[mudslag]

I don't see the problem myself but you know some parents.

Yeah some parents think that by ignoring and not educating their kids, they will themselves be ignorant and not do anything. People are silly.

[Descartes]

Seems strange to think of 12 year-olds using condoms.

I agree, but it's still better than, you know, not using them.

There shouldn't be an opt-out... but then at least it's not opt-in.

[vcfan]

scare the kids. make a fake video that explains how your dick will fall off if you have sex before 18.

[ArialBlue]

Well, think it about this way,

if the parents out-out and their child gets pregnant or impregnates someone else

those are some bad parents

[mudslag]

scare the kids. make a fake video that explains how your dick will fall off if you have sex before 18.

That's an old tactic that doesn't work, kids know better then that. Specially in this day of the internet.

[*RedBull*]

I wasn't so safe in my early teens up to young Adult. I banged a few girls and only got scared of pregnacy once. Just lucky. Oh yeah this was before condoms were needed so no disease. (I kid about the before needed part)

[compl3x]

I don't see the problem myself but you know some parents.

Enter American paranoia/accusations of big brother etc.