Dear PS 101 Parents/Guardians:

The NYS Education Department and the NYC Department of Education require that HIV/AIDS education be provided for all students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The HIV/AIDS Curriculum that NYCDOE developed for NYC students is age and developmentally appropriate. For example, in kindergarten, students learn how people get sick and how to get better. In 5th grade, children learn how diseases are transmitted and how the body protects itself from disease. The New York State Education Department and the New York City Department of Education have mandated that HIV/AIDS education be provided for all students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 during the week of Monday, November 28, 2022, through Friday, December 2, 2022.

Classroom teachers will be implementing the mandated HIV/AIDS lessons with each class in our school. As a parent or legal guardian, you have the right to excuse your child from certain HIV/AIDS lessons that teach about methods of HIV prevention.  These “opt out” prevention lessons are identified in the HIV/AIDS Curriculum, which can be found online at: https://www.weteachnyc.org/resources/resource/hivaids-curriculum-2012-edition/

If you would like your child to be excused, you must write a letter to me, as the principal, stating the following:

• Your child should not be in the classroom during the “opt out” prevention lessons; and
• You will teach your child about prevention at home.

Lessons focus on developing an understanding of communicable diseases, ways to live a healthy life, and how to identify community resources that can help enhance the quality of life. An HIV/AIDS advisory council composed of Panel on Educational Policy members, community representatives, parents, teachers, and supervisors has thoroughly reviewed and approved the curriculum and related materials to be used. The curriculum has also been reviewed and approved by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

We welcome your involvement at school. If you have any questions regarding this program or would like to review HIV/AIDS curriculum materials, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

All students are mandated to participate in the course of lessons throughout the week with an “opt out” opportunity regarding prevention measures (1) lesson: “Opt Out” prevention lessons in grades K-5 include:

GRADE, LESSON TITLE:

Grade K, Lesson 4: How Do People Get Sick? What Is HIV? What Is AIDS?

Grade 1, Lesson 3: What Are Viruses? How Do They Enter the Body to Cause Disease?

Grade 2, Lesson 3: What Causes and Prevents the Spread of Illness?

Grade 3, Lesson 4: What Are Healthy Choices That People Can Make?

Grade 4, Lesson 4: How Can We Help Each Other Make Healthy Choices?

Grade 5, Lesson 3: How Can We Reduce Our Risk Behaviors?

If you give permission for your child to take part in the HIV/AIDS Awareness/Prevention lesson, then you do not need to respond.  No response will automatically provide your child with consent to participate.

Sincerely,

Gregg Korrol

Principal