This program has been in place since the 1960’s under the broader scope of Health Education in the Scarsdale Public Schools. The curriculum was developed by the District Health Coordinator with approval by the Assistant Superintendent for  Instruction. Additional information has also been provided by professional members of the community who make up the Health Education Advisory Council.

The puberty education curriculum was developed in order to prepare fifth graders for the changes that take place during puberty. Those changes not only include physical development but also emotional and social changes as well. Some of the topics which will be included in these discussions are: growth and development, hygiene, menstruation, nocturnal emissions, human reproduction and sexuality. These topics need to be discussed with children so they can feel secure in their understanding of the new feelings they are becoming aware of, peer relationships, social concerns and pressures and the changes their bodies are experiencing that will launch them into adolescence and young adulthood.

Sometimes the social, emotional and physical changes associated with puberty can make children feel anxious and doubtful. The average girl may detect the first sign of puberty at age 10 ½ and the average boy 11 ½.   It is not uncommon for some parents/guardians to feel concerned that 5^th graders are too young to learn about such sensitive topic. However, if the average student is about to experience those changes it is essential that they learn about the process as early as possible so they can feel prepared.   Our puberty education program empowers students as they learn about their bodies and emotions and helps to prepare them for the shift to middle school and adolescence. 

At the conclusion of the program, students are reminded that:

·       They need to have conversations about the topics we covered with their parents or another trusted adult.

·       They need to be cautious with information they get from peers or the internet or another source because they have no way to determine accuracy.

·        They should be aware that discussions about sexuality are important even though they are private and personal. They have a right to information and to get their questions answered.

·       They are equipped with new knowledge that they should use in respectful ways.

Lesson information

This program has been developed so that boys and girls learn about the physical changes that occur in both genders.   The first lesson is more general in content and presentation includes the entire class while the second and third lessons allow for a more detailed conversation and more specific exchange of information and are taught in a single gender configuration. 

Each fifth grade class will receive a minimum of four lessons. In some classrooms, teachers may elect to continue the conversation as contemporary events present themselves. The lessons are organized according to the following outline: 

Day one: Co-ed classroom, instruction by Mrs. Wierl, Mr.Blessing and classroom teacher

Topics included but not limited to:

• Introduction to puberty education – why we are here discussing these important topics
• Reminder – students encouraged to discuss information with parents who are aware of these lessons
• Ground rules for classroom discussion-- including respect, no put downs, talking about these topics responsibly
• Distribution of Puberty Education packet – students will complete short questions in packet
• Viewing of DVD-- Genes, Genetics and DNA, (Rainbow Media, 2003, Discovery Education)
• Validation of types of families-- including: adoptions, in-vitro fertilization, surrogacy, gay and lesbian parents, foster grandparent or relative custody, etc.
• Students will view the DVD, Endocrine and Reproductive systems, Human Body in Action. (Schlesinger Library, 2001).
• The DVD explains the process of change as directed by the pituitary gland and reproductive organs.
• Discussion of language-- review of slang vs. appropriate terminology
  
  
• Summary of key ideas:
• All life begins from a single cell
• Puberty is a period of time when the body “crosses over the bridge” from childhood to young adulthood and is capable of reproduction
• Reproduction is a process that insures the continued presence of our species
• Sexuality is a lifelong process that continues to evolve as we grow
• Similar to exercise, puberty is science.

Day two: Co-ed classroom, instruction by Mrs. Wierl, Mr.Blessing and classroom teacher.

Topics included but not limited to:

• Students are asked if they learned anything new in the first session or if they reinforced knowledge they already had
• Students are reminded to talk to a trusted adult
• Students are reminded that puberty is a process that may take 5-6 years to complete
• Some students can be upset that they are not developing the way their peers are. They are assured that all changes will take place in individuals according to their own internal “clock”.
• We review many different types of changes that take place: physical, emotional, social, school and family. Students are encouraged to view puberty as a holistic process involving more than physical changes
• Questions that have been placed in "question box" that have not been answered in previous lessons.

Students who have learned about their own gender will get a shorter review of the opposite gender.

Students will view the PowerPoint presentation, “Always Changing”. The girls will receive a small kit including a sample sanitary product and a small deodorant with a booklet describing the changes occurring during puberty

The boys receive a small booklet describing the changes occurring during puberty.