In the wake of the ‘Me Too’ movement, the Eau Claire School District is taking a new approach to sex ed.
Director of Academic Services David Oldenberg said they’ve always taught consent because it’s part of state standards and they’re adding an emphasis on role playing and scenarios to the lessons.
Oldenberg said human growth and development classes start in 5th grade and those students will be learning more about boundaries and how to communicate when something doesn’t seem right, and said those boundaries include determining what they consent to, and that it’s okay to set boundaries.
“When you give students the opportunity to role play, to practice the skill in a safe environment with a caring adult and with peers that are also on this learning journey, students really have an opportunity to be comfortable, to be transparent, to build that relationship and practice the skill,” Oldenberg said, and added “one of the scenarios students will learn about is what a healthy relationship looks like.”
Oldenberg also said students will also be taught how to communicate consent.