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Sex ed talk goes too far for parents

June 12, 2012 @ 4:10 am (Updated: 7:02 am - 6/12/12 )

What should an educator do? A student asks a question during a sex education class that's not covered in the approved curriculum. The principal answers it. The question was about oral and anal sex.

Parents in the small town of Onalaska in Lewis County are upset that their fifth graders heard a graphic discussion about those sex acts. They told KING 5 the topic was too mature for 10- and 11-year-old children.

"What gives this woman the right to come down here and go above our authority, is the way I look at it," says parent Curt Pannkuk.

"I was one pissed off cowboy," says James Gilliland, another parent.

FlashTechnically, the discussion was too advanced. Though some districts have different names for it, here's the Family Life and Sexual Health (FLASH) curriculum approved for use in Washington public schools:

Lesson plans for 4th, 5th and 6th graders

Lesson plans for 7th and 8th graders

Lesson plans for high school students

Since 1988, state law has required some sort of sex education beginning at 4th grade.

School districts send notices to parents about the curriculum and they can opt out of the curriculum.

"I think the principal handled it appropriately at the time; she only gave factual information, no demonstrations," says Onalaska Superintendent Scott Fenter. "In 6th grade they start becoming sexually aware and you've got to teach them ahead of time."

By LINDA THOMAS

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Comments (22)


  • Add A Comment

  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    All the calls for parents to take irresponsibility for their children,
    June 12, 2012 11:57 am
    and yet we have many here taking issue when a parent attempts to do exactly that!

    It may not be an easy subject for most but that is part of the parents responsibly!

    If you can't, or won't, teach em, then don't bread them!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • senior viking wrote...
    Home/Charter Schools
    June 12, 2012 12:37 pm
    This is a good argument for home and charter schools. Parents need to have compelte control over the entire curriculum their children are exposed to. If you have the time I highly recommend educating your children out of the public school system. Our families have had excellent results. Children have all gone on to grad school, law school and medicine. Public education is second rate. Give you kids a head start. Take them out of public school.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kiddenme wrote...
    to viking
    June 12, 2012 2:49 pm
    i guess public schools in some areas are awful, but let me say.... in the suburbs I've lived in, they have been truly amazing experiences for my kids. Good education, good life lessions, safe, and yes even ok sex ed courses. Great to here how home school worked well...as this should be your choice. But keep in mind most families are not as equiped to teach 12 years schooling as well as professional teachers....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    Charter Schools
    June 12, 2012 3:07 pm
    Charter schools weaken public schools by pulling money away from district budgets, drawing away high performing students, and excluding those who have disabilities or are English language learners. The students that are the most difficult to educate are left to the public schools. Charter schools counsel out the low performers. Those left might do well, but this is not a model for American public education. Unlike charter schools that canbe elitist, democratic public schools must educate all children. Charter schools divide communities. Instead of everyone working together to support public schools, they fight over resources and space. Even Diane Ravitch(assistant secretary of education Lamar Alexander in the H.W. Goerge Bush Administration)is now critical as to how the realities of charter schools have become. There are a small number of high scores, but there are many very low scores.
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  • cg5611 wrote...
    the kid asked
    June 12, 2012 2:16 pm
    Why did the child not feel he/she could ask the parent so asked in sex ed? DUH!! I get some parents are pissed off but if a child asks give them a non sugar coated answer. If they're smart enuff to ask they will be able to assimilate a true response. Treat a child intelligently and with honesty. Healthy sex education will only reduce unwanted pregnacy and STDs it won't hurt them.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    It's me! Ha ha! . . . .
    June 12, 2012 2:29 pm
    please tell me you don't have kids.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Ch I will bet you that your surrogates
    June 12, 2012 2:47 pm
    are thinking the very same thing!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WashingtonCitizen wrote...
    That Pricipal could have written down the student's
    June 12, 2012 3:19 pm
    question, since it was outside the curriculum for the age range, and forwarded it to the child's parents for further discussion.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • kata wrote...
    too simple
    June 12, 2012 4:49 pm
    I suggested the same thing. It seems the general consensus (with a few exceptions) is that something good will come of making parents even less involved in their children's lives.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Yet another example of liberalism in action.
    June 12, 2012 4:11 pm
    It's all about the indoctrination. Bassackwards.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    Innocence lost
    June 12, 2012 6:48 pm
    The sad part about this whole thing? The fact that a 10 or 11 year old has even heard the terms used that they had to ask about.

    There is a difference between ignorance and innocence. I think for most that line has been blurred. A well taught and regulated child will learn even the bad things in life as they progress and are able to comprehend the deeper things.

    Parents: The media, and for that matter, the public schools have little to no interest in teaching your children right from wrong. They do love to teach right AND wrong, but not one from the other. If you have values, instill them into your children when they are young. If you don't, someone else will, and their values may not reflect yours.

    Leaving the sexual education of your children solely in the hands of the public school system is doomed to failure. At the same time, expecting the public school system to reflect your values and mindset and teachings is foolish and lazy.

    Some people, even if they are in the minority today, still care. Morality still matters to some. Some public outrage is normal in these occurrences and is to be expected. But don't be surprised as that voice becomes dimmer as time goes by.

    Raise your children with THEIR best interests in mind. Ignore those who criticise, laugh and berate you for doing the right thing. At the same time, counter their teachings and arguments in private settings to embolden your children to do what is right.

    A well trained child (parentally) who is curious about something they heard but did not understand, would ask Mom or Dad. A well trained and thoughtful "educator" would have tactfully encouraged the child who asked the question to ask Mom or Dad and maybe send a note home with him or her to the parents.

    Looking back, I would give anything to have held on to my innocence for a lot longer than what I did! Looking forward, I for one will do everything to help my children to hold on to theirs for as long as possible.

    Because..... once it's gone, it's gone forever........

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    SOO SCREWED UP
    June 12, 2012 8:49 pm
    You say "The public schools have no interest in teaching your children right from wrong." That sentence alone tells me that you have no idea what in the world public educators deal with. I strongly suggest you turn off Fox News and you get yourself in a classroom on a volunteer basis and see what is really going on. As far as leaving sexual education solely in the hands is a doomed failure. You are correct. Leaving eduction solely in the hands of public and or private schooling is also a mistake. The education process BEGINS at home and should continue there. Our kids do extra practice at home and the school does what they can. It is a TEAM effort. Teachers can't cover every child's needs. They do the best that they can. Children are also often times more comfortable asking an educator some of the more embarrassing questions rather than their parents. I know, because I asked my teacher a number of questions that I never would have asked my parents. And they did it in a very tactful manner.
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