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SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 87
April 28, 2000 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | JoLynne DeMary Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Staff Development Opportunities on Family Life Education Topics |
This memorandum announces staff development opportunities for teachers or instructional specialists on HIV prevention and Family Life Education (FLE) topics. Summer Workshop at Longwood College (July 11-14, 2000): Up to 100 participants may register for a workshop of several new staff development training modules. The modules were developed in response to surveys conducted in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Each skills-based module was developed as a collaborative effort of the Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Department of Health, Longwood College (LC) Virginia Comprehensive Health Education Training and Resource Center, George Mason University, and Old Dominion University. The workshop will begin at 11 am on Tuesday and end at 2:30 pm on Friday. Currently, 14 FLE staff development modules are in various stages of development, evaluation, and revision. Following is a list of the most recently developed modules available for the summer 2000 session: (1) Strengthening Parental Involvement in FLE; (2) Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases; (3) Integrating HIV, STD, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Education Across Curriculum; (4) Working with Diverse Populations; (5) Preventing Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault; and (6) Understanding Legal and Ethical Issues Related to HIV and FLE. To address priority needs, participants will identify on the attached registration form the four topics they would most like to have offered at the summer workshop. Planning team members will use these suggestions to organize the four-day session. Beginning and experienced educators are invited to this pilot session for the new modules. During the session, participants will be asked to evaluate each module's content, activities, and training process. These comments will be valuable in revising the modules for future use. There is a $25 non-refundable workshop registration fee. The fee includes all on-campus meals, lodging (based on double occupancy), and workshop resources. Participants will be housed in an air-conditioned residence hall on the LC campus. Most rooms accommodate two persons and are arranged in two-room suites with an adjoining bath. Handicap-accessible rooms are available; however, the campus is not a barrier-free environment. Questions and/or requests concerning access and accommodations should be directed to the LC Director of Disability Support Services at (804) 395-2391 or (800) 828-1120 TT relay. There are a limited number of single rooms available for this event (one person per room, but sharing a bath with one additional person). If participants want a single room, there is an additional charge of $25 each night per room availability. Teacher certification points for workshop attendance may be obtained by working with the local school division human resource office. Participants holding national certification as a comprehensive health education specialist (CHES) may obtain recertification units during the training session. Inquire at the registration desk for recertification information. For additional information on the CHES units or the FLE training session, contact Dr. Fran Anthony Meyer, specialist for comprehensive school health at (804) 225-4543. Blue Ridge Institute (July 10-14, 2000): Simultaneously with the training session, awareness-level workshops (80-minutes) on six of the FLE topics will be provided at the Blue Ridge Institute at James Madison University. The workshops will provide an overview of: (1) Reducing Risky Behavior; (2) Preventing Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Assault; (3) Managing Sensitive Issues; (4) Working with Diverse Populations; (5) Strengthening Character-based Abstinence Education; and (6) Understanding Legal and Ethical Issues Related to HIV and FLE. For information on the Institute, contact Dr. Sandra Dofflemyer, specialist for health, physical education, and driver education at (804) 225-2898. Local and Regional FLE Staff Development Workshops: From 1997 to 1999, eight HIV/FLE staff development modules were piloted and evaluated. These modules are under final revisions. These modules include: (1) Understanding Human Sexuality: The Basics, (2) Strengthening Character-based Abstinence Education, (3) Practicing Innovative Teaching Strategies for Sexuality/HIV Education, (4) Preventing HIV Infection, (5) Preventing Drug Use, Sexual Behaviors, and HIV Infection, (6) Preventing Risky Behavior, (7) Managing "Sensitive" Issues, and (8) Dealing with Teen Pregnancy: A Focus on Fathers. Each module is designed as a one-day (five to six hour) session and will be available in the near future for additional local and regional workshops. Individual or multiple-day workshops can be arranged depending upon the availability of trainers. For further information on local or regional FLE training sessions and workshops, contact Dr. Fran Anthony Meyer, specialist for comprehensive school health at (804) 225-4543. JLD/FAM/shs/cp Attachment