School committee approves updated reproductive health curriculum for grades 5–12

The Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee on Oct. 13 unanimously approved an updated reproductive and health curriculum for grades 5 through 12 aimed at aligning district instruction with the state framework.

Superintendent Jason presented the changes and introduced the district's lead coach, school nurse and staff who worked on the rewrite. Officials said reproductive instruction had been taught at the high school but was not present in middle school and fifth grade; the revision restores appropriate lessons at those grade levels and adjusts some wording at the high school level. A parent opt-out letter will be sent annually so families may choose to excuse their child from the reproductive component.

When asked how opt-outs are handled, Jason said students who opt out will be assigned an alternate, sports-oriented assignment and be placed in the library during the lesson: "We give them what we call, like, a sport folio ... They'll be in the LMC in the library," he said. Presenters reiterated that the curriculum emphasizes health promotion and protection and does not include material intended to be controversial.

The motion to approve the updated curriculum was made by Aaron Venaco and seconded by a fellow committee member; the vote was unanimous. The committee did not expand the curriculum beyond state framework guidance and said staff will distribute parent letters each year.

The committee noted the curriculum will be monitored as part of ongoing instruction and asked staff to be available to answer parent questions as the materials are implemented.