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Family Life Curriculum

The State of Tennessee defines "Family Life education" as an abstinence-centered sex education program that builds a foundation of knowledge and skills relating to character development, human development, decision making, abstinence, contraception, and disease prevention. Family Life law can be found in Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 49-6-1304.

Johnson City Schools administrators and lifetime wellness teachers developed a new family life curriculum during the Spring 2024 semester.  Following a public review, the Board of Education approved the final curriculum in June, 2024.  

Parent Forum

The high school family life curriculum is delivered as a six-day unit in the Lifetime Wellness course at Science Hill High School.  Prior to the instruction, parents and guardians of enrolled students are invited to attend a parent forum each semester to discuss the 2024-2025 Family Life Health Education curriculum for all students in ninth through twelfth grades. Administration and teachers will present a short presentation and answer questions. The forums will be held at 6:00 p.m. each semester in the Science Hill High School Library, 1509 John Exum Blvd., 37604 . If you plan to attend the forum, please park in the upper, tier parking lot and enter through the entrance into Grand Topper Hall and make your way to the library (signs will indicate) for the presentation. 

  • Fall 2024 Family Life Forum:  Monday, October 28 at 6 p.m. (SHHS Library)
  • Spring 2025 Family Life Spring Forum:  Monday, April 12 at 6 p.m. (SHHS Library)

Family Life Curriculum and Instruction Dates

Below are links to both the full, six- day family life curriculum as well as the alternative assignment materials.  Materials will be presented each day by a team of two Science Hill lifetime wellness teachers (one male and one female).  Additionally, a Science Hill High School counselor will be also available on certain days of the presentation during each period. 

Johnson City Schools Family Life Curriculum (full version with presenter notes, standards, and legal references)
Johnson City Schools Family Life Curriculum (alternate assignment presentations):

Alternative Curriculum (Day 1)
Alternative Curriculum (Day 2)
Alternative Curriculum (Day 3)
Alternative Curriculum (Day 4)
Alternative Curriculum (Day 5)
Alternative Curriculum (Day 6) 

Fall 2024 Family Life Instruction in Lifetime Wellness: December 9-16, 2024
Spring 2025 Family Life Instruction in Lifetime Wellness:  May 12-19, 2025

Family Life Opt-out and Alternative Assignments

There is nothing to sign or indicate for students to participate in the family life instruction. Parents and guardians will be given an opportunity to opt-out of family life instruction.  A letter will be sent home with each student that may be returned to the teacher at least 30 days prior to instruction beginning.  Letters for opt-out will also be available at both the fall and the spring forums. 

Students who opt-out will be required to complete an alterative curriculum in Canvas during the same time the family life curriculum is being taught.  

Questions 

Parents or guardians are invited to direct any questions to your child's teacher or to Dr. David Timbs, Secondary Supervisor, at timbsd@jcschools.org or 423-434-5200.  

Last Updated: September 5, 2024