Todd Johnson, Principal
Paul Coenen, Assistant Principal
Chris Robinson, Athletic Director
Hayward High School
10320 N. Greenwood Lane
Hayward, WI 54843
RE: Human Growth and Development Instruction for High School Health students
Dear Parents/ Guardians of Health (G) students:
Recent legislation has resulted in key changes to Wisconsin Stature section 118.019.
These changes are effective immediately. In summary, the changes are as follows.
Most human growth and development topics listed in the previous statute language are now
recommended rather than required. When human growth and development is taught the
following seven sections must be taught when age-appropriate, in the same course, during
the same year.
These topics are:
1. Abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior for unmarried pupils
2. Abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is the only reliable way to prevent pregnancy
and sexually transmitted diseases
3. Medically accurate information about human papilloma virus (HPV), human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
4. Pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth
5. Parental responsibility and the socio-economic benefits of marriage
6. Criminal penalties for engaging in sexual activities involving a child
7. Sex offender registration requirements, reporting, and implications
Nothing in the revised statute prohibits instruction regarding contraception and barrier methods
to prevent sexually transmitted infections or instruction that is abstinence-centered. Therefore,
contraceptives and sexually transmitted infections will be taught to our District high school
Health (G) students.
Exemption for individual pupils:
No pupil will be required to take instruction in human growth and development or in the specific
subjects listed above.
If the pupils’ parent or guardian files with the teacher or school principal a written request
the pupil may be exempt. The written requests must be received prior to the beginning of
the unit, which is taught during the last four weeks of the students Health (G) instruction.
If a student is exempt from the unit an alternative curriculum on nutrition will be provided in an
alternative approved setting.
In addition, during the class instruction of the unit the following resources will be provided
to the students:
- HHS Guidance Dept. – discusses healthy relationships
- Officer Jim Marucha, HHS Police Liaison- discusses the Wisconsin Sex Laws
- Sheriff Hoehne - Sawyer County Sheriff’s department- discusses the Wisconsin Sex
Laws
- Mrs. Bethany Berka - Director of Northwoods Pregnancy Center- discusses the
effects of teenage pregnancy, STIS, healthy relationships, and abstinence
Videos:
1. “The Lost Children of Rockdale County” – Unrated PBS special for high school
sex education students. This video discusses how a suburban community was
plagued by a teenage syphilis outbreak.
2. “SEX still has a Price Tag” (public education edition) - featuring Pam Stenzel
(abstinence educator).
This video discusses reasons why teenagers should commit to sexual abstinence,
teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and emotional and physical side
effects).
3. “Radio”- PG film. CLIPS - With this video the students examine the different types
of relationships that are displayed and students identify the healthy and unhealthy
characterizes of each relationship.
The videos may be reviewed as per request with the classroom health instructor