We would like to invite you and your fifth grader to join us for the Fifth Grade Faith and Human Sexuality workshop. This Faith Milestone event is an opportunity to help open up communication around important topics as your child looks towards middle school and all the changes that are coming. Our goal is to help you set these and future conversations around puberty, adolescence, and sexuality within the context of faith, and learn to share your values as you talk about these topics with your child.

We will meet on Saturday April 28^th from 9 am to 5 pm. It’s a full day, but we’ve been able to keep it to one day rather than two to help with busy weekend schedules. Fifth graders will need to be present for the entire day. Because the workshop is carefully structured, we cannot let kids miss part of the day for sports or other events. Parents will join us from 2-5 pm, and will focus on understanding and communicating with tweens about sexuality.

During the workshop we cover the following kinds of topics with the 5^th graders:

·         sexuality as a gift from God, with related scripture readings

·         physical & emotional changes of puberty

·         male & female reproductive systems & processes, including the basics of sexual intercourse

·         prenatal development & birth

·         media and peer pressures

·         basic definitions of hot topics

·         their questions                     

A Few Important Notes:

·         Drop off is outside B205, the large classroom at the end of the B hallway, over the chapel. Please walk your child in and check in at the table.

·         We will have two books for you to take home to continue the learning and conversation together. Your child will have the revised edition of What’s Happening to My Body (for girls or for boys). Parents will take home Sex + Faith: Talking with Your Child from Birth to Adolescence by Kate Ott.

·         Kids will have a variety of snacks, drinks, and a pizza lunch provided. If there are food sensitivities please let us know.

·         Kids will have time during the day to play games and run around a bit. We have fun together!

·         Cost is $75 per family.

It’s typical for parents to start getting nervous around this time: My child is so innocent, I am not sure he/she is ready for this…..I’m not sure I’m ready for this…… Let me assure you that this is the exact time you want to start having conversations about puberty and sexuality within the context of faith! Take a look at the FAQ attached which may be helpful. If you have particular questions about your child’s participation, or if there is something you’d like us to know ahead of time, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.