https://firstparish.info/index.php/education/children-s-programs/our-whole-lives-owl
OWL offers a profound opportunity for our middle-grades youth to deepen their faith and put their values into practice. The curriculum fosters meaningful dialogue among peers in a safe and respectful setting in a context of sexual and emotional health. Youth have opportunities to identify, clarify, and discuss issues within the entire spectrum of sexuality, including self-esteem, media images, gender identity, relationship building, communication, and caring, and to learn important facts about the human body, sexual harassment and abuse, and sexual practices. The curriculum was recently updated to include lessons on social media and pornography. Critical-thinking, decision-making, and communication skills are fostered and practiced throughout the two terms of the program.
Please note: To register for this class, students must attend Sunday School for three months prior to class.
The updated OWL curriculum is online, in a password-protected area of our website. To view the curriculum, click here.
The next OWL class begins in March 2020, and we are accepting registrations now. To take part in OWL, students must attend Sunday School for three months prior to the first session. Pre-registration for this two-term program is required, and weekly attendance is expected. To cover the costs associated with this program, parents or guardians are asked to contribute $100 per child attending OWL. If this presents a hardship for you, please speak to Tina Schultz, Director of Religious Education (tina @ firstparish.info).
If you have any questions about OWL, please contact Tina Schulz.
March 3 Parent Orientation
March 5 and 6 Visuals Viewing Options (parents only)
Unit One: Introduction
March 10 Workshop 1: What Is Sexuality?
March 17 Workshop 2: Examining Values
March 24 Workshop 3: The Language of Sexuality
Unit Two: You, as a Sexual Being
March 31 Workshop 4: Anatomy and Physiology (includes visuals)
April 7 Workshop 5: Personal Concerns About Puberty
April 14 No Class (school break)
April 21 No Class (Easter)
April 28 Workshop 6: Body Image
May 5 Workshop 7: Disability
May 12 No Class (Mother’s Day)
May 19 Workshop 8: Gender Identity
May 26 No Class (Memorial Day)
June 2 Workshop 9: Gender Expression, Roles, and Stereotypes
June 9 Workshop 10: Sexual Orientation
June 16 Workshop 11: Gender Panel
Unit Three: Relationships
September 8 Workshop 12: Healthy Relationships
September 15 Workshop 13: Relationship Skills
Unit Four: Contemporary Issues
September 22 Workshop 14: Sexuality, Social Media, and the Internet
September 29 Workshop 15: Redefining Abstinence, and Masturbation (includes visuals)
Unit Five: Responsible Sexual Behavior
October 6 Workshop 16: Sexual Intimacy (includes visuals)
October 13 No Class—Columbus Day
October 20 Workshop 17: Consent Education
Note: Oct 20 is a half-hour longer than usual. Class begins at 6:30, and pizza will be offered at 6:10
October 27 Workshop 18: Pornography
Unit Six: Sexually Transmitted Infections, Pregnancy, and Parenting
November 3 Workshop 19: Sexually Transmitted Infections
November 10 Workshop 20: Unplanned Pregnancy Options
November 17 Workshop 21: Contraception and Safer Sex
Unit Seven: Communicating About Sexuality
November 24 Workshop 22: Sexual Decision Making
December 1 No Class (Thanksgiving)
December 8 Workshop 23: Communicating with a Sexual Partner
December 15 Workshop 24: Self-Care, Celebration and Closure