Oceanside reviews new health curriculum

At a Board of Education meeting last week, the Oceanside School District outlined the new health education policies it enacted this year for all students.

“About a year ago, [Oceanside Middle School Principal] Dr. [Allison] Glickman-Rogers and I presented to the Board of Education a plan for reviewing and strengthening our district-wide health curriculum,” said Robert Fenter, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “Our health curriculum is one that is strong and provides our students with important skills in making difficult decisions in very challenging times.”

The curriculum wasn’t too big of a departure from what the district had in place, but more of a restructuring — changing when certain topics were taught to students. It also include two new units for elementary school students: bully-proofing and being Too Good for Drugs.

“The K through 12 curriculum implemented this year has been very successfully delivered,” said Jeff Risener, director of physical education, health and athletics. “It is a skill-based curriculum that used data to inform instruction.”

Risener outlined to the audience at the board meeting how the new curriculum structure is implemented this year.

In kindergarten through second grade, teachers are teaching a program that emphasizes self esteem, decision-making skills, friendship, feelings, body rights, stranger danger and diversity.

In grade 3, teachers cover stress management, personal safety, stranger danger, touch safety, assertiveness skills and decision making. In fourth grade, the elementary school gym teachers cover topics about hygiene, while the nurses talk about allergies.

Part of the new curriculum begins in fifth grade with the anti-bullying program. Students took a survey that was developed by the staff. “The teachers, using the data from the survey, proceeded to address issues associated with bullying, and followed lessons that are part of the new curriculum,” Risener said. “The high school health teachers also conducted puberty lessons with fifth grade students.”

Elementary school social workers also taught one of the new curriculum subjects, Too Good for Drugs.