Sex Ed Curriculum Discussion Set For Long Valley Parents

LONG VALLEY, NJ — It's one of the most hotly debated educational topics in years: New Jersey's updated curriculum for comprehensive physical and health education.

The focus of recent board meetings has been on the updates regarding sex education, which districts must incorporate into their curriculums for the 2022-23 school year.

The Washington Township School District will hold a health curriculum chat on Wednesday, Aug. 24 with Deborah Russo, Director of Curriculum, and members of the Health Curriculum Committee to discuss any updates.

Parents and guardians who have questions about how the district is implementing the curriculum in grades K–5 can ask questions at the meeting, which is set for 6:30 p.m. at Flocktown Road School in the music room.

The state curriculum, which was approved by the state Board of Education in 2020, is titled "New Jersey Student Learning Standards – Comprehensive Health and Physical Education."

It addresses a wide range of issues and topics, including personal hygiene, mental and social well-being, community health and support, fitness, nutrition, safety and substance abuse. There are several areas that cover various sexual health topics, such as personal growth, pregnancy and parenting, and social and sexual health.

Following an uproar over the revised curricula, Gov. Phil Murphy directed the state Department of Education earlier this year to review the sex education standards adopted in 2020 and set to take effect this fall.

All parents are welcome to the forum and are asked to RSVP to the meeting by clicking here.