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The K-5 health program is broad in its scope and
utilizes a comprehensive education approach. It
includes physical, community, mental, and family
life, substance awareness, HIV education and safety
education. Developing knowledge, attitudes, skills,
and proper modes of behavior are vital factors in
the development of each child. Health education is
taught in grades K-5 as a separate discipline
and/or as part of various units in science or
social studies. The program recognizes that a truly
healthy person is not only sound in body, but also
must be sound emotionally and have an awareness of
safety for self as well as others. In general, the
purpose of health education is to provide the
student with information concerning physical,
emotional, social, and mental development as well
as sound practices of safety. In addition, the
health education program includes a comprehensive
alcohol and drug education program for students in
grades 1 through 12, entitled Here's Looking
at You 2000.
The Family Life Education curriculum is an
important component to the health program which was
introduced in January 1984. This state-mandated
K-12 curriculum utilizes a guide prepared through
the cooperative efforts of teachers, school
administrators, parents and guardians, students,
the clergy, and community members.
As mandated by the State Department of
Education, AIDS/HIV education is introduced into
the Family Life program. This program is delivered
by the physical education/health teacher and
addresses the body's immune system, how it fights
off diseases and how HIV affects the body's defense
system.
The philosophy of the curriculum is that the
incidence of alcohol and drug abuse problems among
young people will decrease if youth have greater
self-esteem; are better able to cope with life's
problems; have current facts about alcohol, other
drug and chemical dependency; and are more skilled
at making decisions and handling interpersonal
relationships. The premise is reflected through the
four main components upon which the curriculum was
built: information, decision-making, coping, and
self-concept.
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