Dear Families and Guardians,

Schools must provide comprehensive sexual health education at least twice in grades 6-8. Best practice suggests providing instruction over time, building on earlier instruction. Instruction must be consistent with Health Education K-12 Learning Standards. Grade-level outcomes are provided as examples only and do not represent a required course of instruction.

Required topics of instruction are described in RCW 28A.300.475, with a focus on helping students understand and respect personal boundaries, develop healthy friendships and dating relationships, gain a deeper understanding of human growth and development, develop skills to support choosing healthy behaviors, and reduce health risks, including abstinence and other STD/pregnancy prevention approaches, and understanding the influence of family and society on healthy sexual relationships. Students must receive age-appropriate instruction on affirmative consent and bystander training. Schools must continue providing HIV/STD prevention education, which must start no later than 5th grade and be provided annually through 12th grade.

Instruction must be provided at least “twice” (a unit of instruction in two or more grades). Ideally, this would be a unit of instruction in at least two different grades, and there are many possible strategies for providing all required content. Learning standards will help districts determine how to scaffold instruction to meet changing developmental needs across grades, which should include the following topics of instruction at least once in this grade band:

• HIV/STD prevention (required annually).
• Human growth and development.
• Choosing healthy behaviors and reducing health risks (including abstinence, condom use, and contraceptives).
• Affirmative consent (understanding and respecting personal boundaries, including sexual boundaries).
• Bystander intervention (how to safely intervene when witnessing bullying, harassment, or sexual violence).
• Healthy relationships (with friends, family, and dating relationships).
• Understand the influence of family, peers, community, and media on healthy sexual relationships.
• How to avoid exploitative relationships and the consequences of sexual offenses involving minors.

We want to ensure you have access to the materials used in our school’s health education curriculum. The FLASH Program (Family Life and Sexual Health) is an important component of our health education for middle school students. Below, you will find information on how to access the lessons online or review them in person.

How to Access FLASH Program Lessons

• Online Access: You can view the FLASH Program lessons for middle school students online by visiting the King County Health website at kingcounty.gov/health/flash. Please note that this website is in English.
• In-Person Review: If you prefer to review the lessons in person, you are welcome to visit our school office. Our staff will be happy to assist you with accessing the materials.

Questions?

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us. We are more than happy to speak with you and provide any additional information you may need.

Thank you for your continued support in your child's education.