| Write To Your Congressman!
Currently, the Missouri House of Representatives is deliberating on House Bill 716, which would limit what is taught in sex education in public schools. I decided I needed to have my say, so I emailed by state representative!
Look up your representative and email him/her: http://www.house.mo.gov/
Dear Rep. Michael Spreng,
As a high school student, I am concerned about House Bill 716.
House
Bill 716 would change what information students would recieve on sex
education. As opposed to being given the "latest medically factual
information regarding both the possible side effects and health
benefits of all forms of contraception," students would recieve
information in "a manner consistent with the provisions of 42 U.S.C.
section 710." Section 710 makes no mention of any forms of
contraception except abstinence. As a result, students would be
deprived of information vital to sex education.
The
worldwide strategy for combating AIDS is the "ABC" method--Abstain,
Be Faithful, or use Condoms. In the way that the "ABC" method
acknowledges the reality of sexual activity within diverse lifestyles,
sex education needs to acknowledge the eventuality of sexual activity
for students. I would hope that students have the right information to
make decisions for avoiding STDs and pregnancy now and in the future.
I
hope that public schools can continue to educate students on the many
topics within sex education, and not just abstinence. It is easy for a
student to get misinformation on sex from their peers, or no
information at all from parents uncomfortable with the issue. I believe
that the best place to get information is within a school, a controlled
environment where accurate information is expected to be.
I appreciate the time you have taken to read this message and urge you to not support House Bill 716.
Post-Dispatch: Missouri sex education bill aligns with U.S. model
HB 716: http://www.house.mo.gov/bills071/biltxt/intro/HB0716I.htm
42 USC Section 710: http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title05/0510.htm
|
| |
| The Big Read
Washington University is starting a program that invites everyone in St. Louis to read the same book, Fahrenheit 451 (one of my favorites!!!). I read about other cities hosting a program like this in a book called 500 Ways to Change the World, and its so exciting that its being done here!
More info: http://bigread.wustl.edu/index.php
|
| |
| 
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. This book gives me heavy boots.
|
| |
