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LETTER TO THE EDITOR March 1993-- 7 Trustee's column needs "clarification" To the Editor: In response to the article "Yours in Education" by Scugog trustee Bobbie Drew, there seems to be a need for clarification regarding the mi ption of datory "abstinence teaching." Yes, "abstinence takes precedence in a long list of abstinence program that our Board developed for students, sits in the resource library waiting for a teacher to pick up on it.....optional. _ If abstinence is in fact being taught, then why are students in Durham approaching the Board and requesting these programs? At the last meeting, curriculum. Then ask why the Board would allow these people into our schools. Sex education has become sex invitation starting children down the road to multiple sex partners and AIDS. The worst message a child or teen can receive is 1/ that safe sex. is achievable (the condom does not protect against Herpes Simplex 11, HPV which has killed more woman to date than AIDS or the AIDS virus) 2/ Everybody is doing it and 3/ adults expect them methods of disease and a grade nine student from pregnancy prevention. Oshawa said emphatically that The Durham Board in its she found the condom Sex-Ed program gives application to male genitalia abstinence a "golf-clap" and it offensive and wanted gets honourable ion. But absti training instead T ibl to call our curriculum Another grade 11 student todoit. "abstinence based" when in fact, the majority of the time is spent in the pursuit of condoms, spermicides and various methods of birth control, is deceiving and like an anti-drug program that endorses the distribution of clean needles. How naive are we? Honourable mention is not the same as teaching abstinence. Parents should be alerted to this fact. Ask your children how much class room time is actually spent teaching abstinence education. Then ask trustee Drew when she means when she says abstinence is mandatory. Had she been at the Board meeting when superintendent Doug Wilson addressed this question, she would have learned that abstinence as a unit of study or course is optional, just as the "Growing Up" series is optional. The excellent EXPERIENCE THE COUNTRY MARKET featuring ... said abstinence was mentioned in class, then the remaining time was spent discussing condoms and birth control. At the Lake Vista Health Fair last week, pamphlets endorsing casual sex, condoms and abortions (morning after pill) were available to grade 7 and 8 students. They were told: "to help protect yourself from disease you should insist on using a latex condom. Once you are in a stable relationship with a partner, you may want to use another method you like." Sexual intimacy and stable relationships at 12 years of age? For high school kids, public health nurses offer pamphlets that state "abstinence, although it is the best method for disease prevention is often an unsuitable solution." Yet they insist they teach abstinence. Ask to the see the The Canada Youth and Aids study reveals that even by grade 9, 74 per cent of teens are not sexually active. So what is being done to affirm these students in their decision to post-pone sexual involvements? The Northumberland Newcastle Board has implemented abstinence courses in their high schools and as Concerned Parents, we would like our Board to be as progressive, to make this a compulsory unit of study. We already have the program, apparently the envy of school boards, so why not use it? Let's get it off the optional list and into the hands of impressionable young teens who need to know how to say "no" in this world of AIDS and breaking condoms.. Every child needs this material to help deal with sexuality in a positive way and to avoid volatile situations, pregnancy and disease. Our children deserve this chance. Carol Switzer, Port Perry. PPHS will present the drama "Halku" at the Sears Festival, Dunbarton High School March 3 at 7 p.m.. Directed by bana Boadway (right), this Is a drama about the relationship between two daughters and their mother. Filled with struggle and contlict it Is thought provoking and certainly not a comedy. Katie Talbot (left) plays Louise, Michelle Flleler plays Nel the mother, and Sarah Croxall plays the daughter Billie. Tickets are avaliable at the door and this play will be adjudicated as part of the Sears Festival. -- IMPERIAL ALUMINUM Sales @ Installations @ Service Free In-Home Estimates ED WILBRINK Bus. 728-7160; Tor. 604-7141 Res. 404-9064 Clearance Outlet for Stock Vinyl & Aluminum Thermal Windows CASH & CARRY Less than Cost of Manufacturer. 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