Innocence will soon become an archaic word

I haven't written on this story before now as I was waiting for the Helena, MT school board to meet and hear from citizens about proposed curriculum changes for its students. That doesn't seem too unusual on its face; districts tweak subject content every year.

What makes this unusual is the new "human sexuality" course proposed for students beginning in kindergarten. A draft proposal from the Helena school board may be found here:

http://www.helena.k12.mt.us/images/documents/curriculum/HealthCurriculum/K12FinalHealth.pdf

The most egregious parts of this draft begins on page 36. Do you believe kindergartners need to know the correct labelling of body parts? Children in first grade are taught that same sex attraction is fine. Sexual positions are discussed by grade 5.

Here is a write up from last night's meeting in Helena:

http://helenair.com/news/article_e64bbc32-8f0f-11df-acbd-001cc4c002e0.html

The arrogance of this board is astounding. I have been in written communication with a mother from this district who has a kindergartner. She confirmed to me that this curriculum was done "behind closed doors" for the last 2 years, and there was only one parent on this committee who had a student in the district. The other members were educational professionals with older children; children who would not be affected by these new standards.

The song by Don Henley keeps circling through my brain:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NYCXWA/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk1

"....this is the end...of the innocence". Once our children's' innocence is gone, it can never be recaptured.

This behavior by this school district is arrogant and mirrors Washington, DC "politics as usual". Perhaps this is the way our policies are written today by ALL our elected (and appointed) officials; in secrecy, no real citizen input, stonewalling, limited discussion and no awareness or concern for the PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING FOR THIS EDUCATION AND THEIR CHILDREN WHO ARE UNDER THEIR POLICIES.

I sound like a broken record, but I keep coming back to it...it's OUR money and OUR children. Stop this destruction of our children's innocence.

Sexual terms introduced to kindergartners? Really? And why is this a good idea for 5 year old CHILDREN? And I'll leave you with this thought for Missouri readers. Your State Board of Education signed onto to common core standards, aka national standards...what will happen if this becomes national curriculum? It's a realistic possibility. Keep your eyes open. Question your school district on its sexual education policies.