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Kelly Galiher, the youth advocate at Mid-Prairie Community Schools, says the answer is to include the community and parents in addressing the problem of teen pregnancy. She and the school's Wellness Curriculum Committee have been working with community members, organizations and the Council of Mid-Prairie Churches to develop a curriculum that's number one goal is to "delay first intercourse" among students by stressing abstinence.
Though abstinence will be taught as the main goal, noted Galiher, there are always students who go against better judgment - so topics like sexually transmitted diseases and contraception will be addressed in the higher grades.
A recent study showed that students receiving abstinence-only education are at twice the risk of teenage pregnancy as students receiving comprehensive sex education.ÊPublished in the Journal of Adolescent Health, the study found that students receiving no sex education were 60 percent more at risk for teen pregnancy than students receiving comprehensive sex education.Ê
Kids as a parent having kids, says Galiher, typically do not live above the poverty level nor go on to higher education. It also indoctrinates the next generation into a culture of poverty and creates a social burden to taxpayers.
"Kids need to know all the ramifications of their choices," Galiher says. That includes learning about sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The contraction of STDs can have a very negative impact on a student's self image and some cases have even led to suicide, she said.
The goal is to have a program that begins in the fourth grade, though specific sexuality issues are not yet discussed. The Mid-Prairie student advocate stated the school would be utilizing a program called Family Life and Sexual Health curriculum (FLASH), a comprehensive, research-based sexuality education curriculum.
The FLASH website stated its goal for the lower elementary grades is the development of persons who respect and appreciate themselves, their families and all persons, and persons who will neither exploit others nor allow themselves to be exploited.
Elementary students, said Galiher, will be taught self-esteem, resiliency and resistance skills. This will be a base upon which more mature themes can be added as they grow older.
Except for the 12th grade, parents will be able to elect not to have their children participate in the elective classes. The state mandates that such a class be taught in the senior year.
Galiher said the school will try and treat each family as unique while still being as efficient as possible, providing information that matches the students' own family values and culture. Homework will be given that includes interaction with the students' parents.
Not all students will have parents who will become involved with the process. Galiher said a new Council of Mid-Prairie Churches project called the Mid-Prairie Caring Community Initiative's goal is to address that problem. It has a mentoring program specifically aimed at "building and enhancing a positive and nurturing environment on behalf of the children and youth of our community."
Judy Kinneer, a coordinator for the program, says that though they have had a good response from Wellman, they are still having trouble signing up Kalona volunteers for the program. Those who would like to become involved or who have questions can contact her at 646-2962 or judykinneer@netins.net.
Galiher admits the school's extent in reaching out to the religious community isn't the norm. "But this isn't a common community," she added, describing it as conservative and tight knit.
Though no religious doctrine will be taught in the classes, she said, the "sacredness" of the act will be stressed. Language is a very telling indication of a mindset and among many students, Galiher added. Common slang used by students often expresses sex as if it were just an exchange of goods.
She stressed that the classes are important since Mid-Prairie isn't immune to the problems that plague the rest of the country. The high percentage of Mid-Prairie students asking counselors and school nurses for pregnancy tests reflects the sexual activity going on in the school district - and this doesn't include the unknown number of students who may be seeking the same answers in over-the-counter kits - nor reveals how many turn out negative or result in abortions.
Derick Cranston has been on the Wellness Curriculum Committee since January. A youth pastor for the cluster parishes of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond, St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wellman and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Riverside, he is in training to become a deacon and was just recently elected President of the Council of Mid-Prairie Churches.
"I've really been impressed in how the churches and schools have been working together," said Cranston. "It is truly a broad community effort."
Representatives of the different churches have been able to address what they have in common rather than the differences, he added.
In getting the information out to students, Cranston admits to sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the "competition" - the messages from the Internet and movies that casual sex is the "cool" thing to do. What students don't hear from these sources, continued the youth minister, is that it isn't just casual, but can involve emotional bonding and other consequences.
As a Catholic, Cranston said, sex is looked upon as a sacrament and should be respected.
Cranston gives the analogy of drugs and alcohol - you won't become addicted if you don't try them. But that being said, he added, there will be some who try drugs, alcohol and sex - and need further information.
"Knowledge is power. When educated, students have the power to make an educated choice," he said.
Cranston went on to add that it is important for the religious community consider the non-religious students and families and to respect the boundaries of public school systems.
School board member George Schaefer said that it is "very important that our kids get honest, scientifically-backed information involving human health because of all the media misinformation. They need to know what the truth is and we schould be a source."
Schaefer noted that is it won't be easy for many students to find the additional time for such curriculum, or for the administration to find room for it in scheduling, but the classes will offer valuable information for students in light of the unwanted pregnancies.
Galher said they hope to have some of the new curriculum up and running by the next term. Anyone with questions can contact her at the school at 646-6096 or kswift@mid-prairie.k12.ia.us.
