Category: Teaching and Learning

All instruction related to sex education must take place within the context of Utah State Law (53G-10-402) and Utah State Board of Education rule (R277-474). New legislation has added topics beyond health class which require parent notification and permission.

Any course which involves "Sex education instruction" [now includes] any course material, unit, class, lesson, activity, or presentation that, as the focus of the discussion, provides instruction or information to a student about:

· sexual abstinence;

· human sexuality;

· human reproduction;

· reproductive anatomy;

· physiology;

· pregnancy;

· marriage;

· childbirth;

· parenthood;

· contraception;

· HIV/AIDS;

· sexually transmitted diseases; or · refusal skills, as defined in Section 53G-10-402.

In accordance with Rule R277-474-7-4, teachers may answer student questions or correct inaccurate statements as long as the answer is consistent with state law and the approved instructional materials. Educators may also direct students to parents.

Teachers will be sent this survey and are required to indicate if they cover any of the listed topics. All teachers must respond by September 30, 2025.

The parental Consent Form is included in all student registration and information is available to teachers regarding the parent’s option for instruction.

Rationale:

Utah Code 53G-10-402 states: · That “parental consent requirements of Sections 76-7-322 and 76-7-323 are complied with”

· And, “require a student's parent to be notified in advance and have an opportunity to review the information for which parental consent is required under Sections 76-7-322 and 76-7-323.”

· “An LEA governing board shall provide appropriate professional development for the LEA governing board's teachers, counselors, and school administrators to enable the teachers, counselors, and school administrators to understand, protect, and properly instruct students in the values and character traits referred to in this section and Sections 53E-9-202, 53E-9-203, 53G-10-202, 53G-10-203, 53G-10-204, and 53G-10-205, and distribute appropriate written materials on the values, character traits, and conduct to each individual receiving the professional development.” To facilitate compliance, each secondary teacher is required to complete the form to let SLCSD know which topics they are and are not teaching.

USBE guidance states:

· “Health, CTE, science, and psychology teachers should [acquire parental permission and complete this training] if they teach eligible courses like Health, Child Development, Health Science, Medical Anatomy, Human Development, Genetics, or any course with instruction on sex education as defined in Utah Code 53G-10-403.”

Expectations for Implementation:

· Communication:

· Administrative memo will be sent to all building administrators to share with faculty.

· Link to required form will be sent to all educators with the deadline of September 30, 2025 for completion.

· The Canvas course required for all teachers who present an effected topic (listed above) will be provided once the USBE creates the course after July 1, 2025.

2. Collaboration:

· Contact Katie Lowery, Content Specialist over Health and Physical Education, for assistance.

3. Evaluation:

· The district will check for the completion of the required form by due date. If it is not complete, the assistance of building administrators will be requested.

· The district will keep a current record of all teachers who have completed the USBE Canvas course.

Keywords: Human sexuality, health education, Utah Code 53G-10-402

Every August, there's a renewed sense of excitement and energy in the air—we're ready to begin a new school year filled with possibilities! It's a fresh start, a time to reconnect with colleagues, welcome new students and families, and set meaningful goals for learning and growth.

We have exciting new curriculum for science grades 6-8, health teachers, and social studies teachers. We will continue to connect with goals for literacy, mathematics, and academic discourse. The schedule has also been adjusted to provide schools with 1.5 days with their staff for professional development and meetings. Please see the following schedule for your planning:

Expectations for Implementation:

1. Communication:
   1. Principals are responsible to communicate with their staff about the days in their before-school communication.
   2. Ensure that their staff attend as appropriate
      
       
2. Collaboration:
   1. Katie Ieremia, Professional Development
   2. Tiffany Hall, T&L

Keywords:

August, teacher days, start of year

HB396 funding will be available for the 2025-2026 year for both educators and building administrators.  For each qualified individual 1.0 FTE, 25 hours are available. Here are several important reminders and deadlines:

1. HB396 provides SLCSD with funding for educators to complete 25hours of paid professional time at their hourly rate. This includes general education and special education teachers, counselors, school specialists, library technology teachers, school psychologists, speech pathologists, audiologists and building administrators. Hourly teachers are not eligible.
2. Individuals may complete pre-approved district plans, university courses or endorsements without supervisor approval (but the district form must still be submitted). Alternately, an Individual Plan* may be submitted and must be reviewed and approved by the supervisor prior to beginning any work.
3. All educators must submit their plan, on the district form, before the end of the day on September 30, 2025.
4. When all HB396 hours are completed, a timecard and activity log of hours and activities must be reviewed and signed by supervisors no later than May 29, 2026.
5. Professional development work for HB396 may be completed between July 1, 2025, and the last day of the school year, May 29, 2026. All educators must complete their hours outside of contract time.

*Individual Plans should be designed to follow the guidelines of the legislation:

“…(a) provide educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable students to succeed in a well-rounded education and to meet the challenging state academic standards; and (b) may include activities that (i) improve and increase an educator's: (A) knowledge of the academic subjects the educator teaches; (B) time to plan and prepare daily lessons based on student needs; (C) understanding of how students learn; and (D) ability to analyze student work and achievement from multiple sources, including how to adjust instructional strategies, assessments, and materials based on the analysis (ii) are an integral part of broad school-wide and LEA-wide educational improvement plans; (iii) allow personalized plans for each educator to address the educator's specific needs identified in observation or other feedback; (iv) advance educator understanding of:  (A) effective and evidence-based instructional strategies; and (B) strategies for improving student academic achievement or substantially increasing the knowledge and teaching skills of educators (v) are aligned with, and directly related to, academic goals of the school or LEA; and (vi) include instruction in the use of data and assessments to inform and instruct classroom practice.” Educator Paid Professional Hours

Summary:

Utah House Bill 233 (HB 233), titled "School Curriculum Amendments," introduces specific limitations on health education in Utah. The legislation prohibits districts from allowing organizations that perform elective abortions, such as Planned Parenthood, to provide health-related instruction or materials in schools receiving state funding.

Key provisions of HB 233 include:

1. Definition of Restricted Entities: The bill defines "elective abortion providers" and their affiliates, encompassing entities with common ownership, management, or control related to abortion services.
2. Prohibition in Educational Settings: LEAs are barred from permitting employees, representatives, or affiliates of such organizations to deliver health instruction or distribute health-related materials in public schools.

As a result of this legislation, certain previously approved providers we have used for years in SLCSD are no longer allowed to help support Health classes and teachers.

We are in the process of adopting new, state-compliant health curriculum resources that align with both legislative requirements and Utah Core Standards. Our goal remains the same: to provide students with high-quality, accurate, and age-appropriate health education that supports their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

An element of our purchasing process is materials review. This is an opportunity for educators, parents, and community members to view the resources under consideration.

Health Curriculum Open House

Wednesday, May 28

3:00 – 7:00PM

Riley Elementary School

Expectations for Implementation:

1. Communication:
   1. Please make sure that your teachers are aware of this opportunity to see the new curriculum. We will also email them directly with this information.
      
       
2. Timeline:
   1. After May 28, the purchasing department will finish the purchasing process. Schools will receive ordering information as soon as possible after the negotiations are completed.

Hello! 

Here are a few reminders and updates about ending the year. We have several groups of teachers who need to complete work critical to the district before the school year ends.

This year, the last day for elementary music services will be Friday, May 23. Music teachers will use May 27-29to complete an inventory and transition plan for all their schools, identify instruments needing repairs, and plan for instrument deployment in the fall. Please do not plan on music during the last week of school. (Questions? Adam Eskelson)

Your elementary PE paraprofessionals must inventory and store equipment and prepare lists of equipment needed for the next year. The last day of elementary PE will be Friday, May 23. (Questions? Katie Ieremia)

Job-embedded learning will continue with Content Areas Specialists in schools through Friday, May 23.  After that, they will be working on professional development for next year, aligning instructional documents for teachers, and reviewing assessments to ensure we are ready for 2025-26. Some elementary schools will have a different schedule, but your CAS has already discussed that with you if your date is different. (Questions? Dr. Chelsea Malouf, ELA; Holley McIntosh, Math; Candace Penrod, Science; Sallie Warnecke, Digital Learning)

Library learning centers have mixed schedules. Please talk with your teacher librarian about the end of the year versus the start of the year. There are specific tasks that must happen in the library once a year: inventory, restocking, book orders, documenting carryover and budgets, and securing equipment.

1. If your school begins Specials immediately, the teacher librarian will need time at the end of year: May 27-29/30.
2. If you prefer to take Specials to the last day of school, they will need time at the start of the year: August 19-22.

Each of you handle this differently, so please talk with your teacher librarian and reach out if you have any questions. (Questions? Dr. Tiffany Hall)

Thank you for understanding that this time is important for these teacher groups to be ready to end the school year. ​If you have specific concerns about a schedule at your school, please talk with your teacher(s) about alternatives and reach out to the supervisor if needed.

Best wishes for a great summer!