You may remember that awkward day in PE or health class when the teacher would talk about sex.
Some Mary Persons grads are working to change sex education in Monroe County.
They say the current curriculum isn't enough.
It's been taught in Georgia public schools for decades, but group of 5 Mary Persons graduates want students to learn even more.
“It’s just really sort of closed-minded of gender stereotypes and things that we don't think are accurate or fact-based,” Sharon Kinsella said. She’s explaining why she and four others formed a group they call Students for Comprehensive Sex-Education.
Right now, Monroe County uses an abstinence-based program called Choosing The Best.
“It's been around for quite a while it is time for a more up to date change,” Kirsten Wilder said.
Grads like Erin Owens agree. She says students need to learn more to protect themselves
“What to do if you’re in a situation where a sexual assault or sexual abuse happens,” Owens said. “We want them to know things specific to themselves, whether they're straight or gay or anything else. How to protect themselves during and after sexual encounters.”
That isn’t happening Monroe classrooms, but Lindsey Kinsella says students today face big problems the current curriculum doesn't cover.
They say the curriculum they want Monroe county to use called "Flash" would.
“It would include abstinence as an option, and it would recognize that abstinence is the only 100% effective option to protect against unwanted pregnancies and STDs,” Lindsey Kinsella said. “It would also teach the safe way to go about not choosing abstinence.”
Superintendent Mike Hickman commends the work these students are doing. He said he and the Board of Education are willing to listen to them and possibly change the sexual education program.
If you want to voice your opinion about sex education in Monroe County, the group is holding a forum.
It's this Saturday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Conley building, the old train depot on East Johnson Street.