1. Will the Franklin Lakes Public Schools adopt the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for CHPE?
2. What changes can be anticipated with the K-5 CHPE curriculum? To the 6-8 CHPE curriculum?
3. What curricular resources will be utilized in the new CHPE curriculum?
4. What units or topics will my child learn about this year in health class?
5. How much time is dedicated to health instruction?
6. Can I opt my child out of health instruction this year?
7. If I opt my child out of health instruction, where do they go/ what do they do while others are engaging in health instruction?
8. Will there be a formal Comprehensive Health/ Physical Education curriculum presentation to the Franklin Lakes BoE?
9. Will there be direct instruction on the following topics within the CHPE curriculum in Franklin Lakes: exploration/ examination of their own gender identity and/ or sexual orientation, masturbation, definitions of sex acts, etc.?
10. What legislative mandates are required to be taught as part of CHPE?
1. Will the Franklin Lakes Public Schools adopt the 2020 New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health/ Physical Education?
Yes, as a public school, our district is obliged to adopt curriculum aligned to the standards that previously adopted by the New Jersey State Board of Education for implementation in all public schools that are governed by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DoE). All of the 2020 standards will appear in our curricular documents and guides.
On May 4, 2022 Acting Commissioner of the NJ DoE stated, “This leaves considerable room for local district discretion, and, critically, for the voices of parents and families. It is the responsibility of each local district board of education – through meaningful, ongoing, and direct consultation with families – to select, adopt, and implement curricula that reflect both the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and the priorities and values of the school community. Further, it is [Local Educational Agencies] that develop or select curriculum materials, based on their local curriculum development and review process… it is critical to include parents along every step of that decision-making process,” (follow this link for the full memo).
2. What changes can be anticipated with the K-5 CHPE curriculum? To the 6-8 CHPE curriculum?
The new K-5 curriculum will include 10 health units (approx. once per month), which will be explored over the course of a Health/ PE period. An overview of specific grade-level topics and essential questions will be forthcoming. The remaining instruction will focus on physical education skills and content. Note: K-5 students participate in Health/ PE instruction approx. two periods per week.
Grades 6-8 students will continue to receive health instruction over the course of one marking period per each grade. The remaining three marking periods will focus on physical education skills and content.
The revised FLPS curriculum will not be implemented in classrooms until the curriculum is approved by The Franklin Lakes Board of Education (anticipated: October 11, 2022).
3. What curricular resources will be utilized in the new CHPE curriculum?
The K-5 curriculum is supported via the curricular resource, The Great Body Shop published by Children’s Health Market. This resource, which includes consumable student booklets, was selected following a thorough and deliberate process that included many opportunities for input and feedback within the Franklin Lakes community via:
The resource was approved by the Franklin Lakes Board of Education on August 23, 2022 following a formal presentation during a public meeting on July 12, 2022.
No new curricular resources have been purchased for the 6-8 CHPE curriculum.
4. What units or topics will my child learn about this year in health class?
General topics that span K-8 include personal safety, nutrition, body systems, community health, reproductive health (grades 4-8 only), physical health, emotional health, and drug and alcohol prevention. A list of specific topics per grade level with essential questions will be forthcoming.
5. How much time is dedicated to health instruction?
In grades K-5, one class period per month is dedicated to health instruction during physical education periods. In grades 6-8, students receive one marking period of health instruction, as in previous years. See: NJ Statute 18A:35-8 regarding instructional time devoted to Comprehensive Health & Physical Education.
6. Can I opt my child out of health instruction this year?
Yes, The NJ DoE recognizes and respects that some families prefer to have these conversations privately. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.7, any child whose parent or guardian presents to the school a signed statement that any part of instruction in health, family life education, or sex education is in conflict with his or her conscience or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs shall be excused from that portion of the course.
As such, the District will provide an electronic form that parents/ guardians can complete - should they wish to opt their student out of health instruction on specific topics. Following the anticipated Board curriculum adoption process, the health exclusion form will be shared out with all parents/ guardians to be completed if they wish to exercise this option.
Note: Per 18A:35-4.7 and FLPS Board Policy 5250 Health instruction (and animal dissection) are the only areas in which such a parental right can be exercised.
7. If I opt my child out of health instruction, where do they go/ what do they do while others are engaging in health instruction?
8. Will there be a formal Comprehensive Health/ Physical Education curriculum presentation to the Franklin Lakes BoE?
Yes, the revised NJSLS 2020 CHPE curriculum presentation is scheduled for the September 27, 2022 public board meeting. Parents are invited to attend this meeting in-person or over Zoom. A copy of the curriculum presentation will be posted to an FLPS curriculum webpage at the conclusion of the meeting.
9. Will there be direct instruction on the following topics within the CHPE curriculum in Franklin Lakes: exploration/ examination of their own gender identity and/ or sexual orientation, masturbation, definitions of sex acts, etc.?
The Franklin Lakes School District affirms that diversity-among our students and their families, school staff, and other community members–enriches and enhances our school district.
Meanwhile, the District’s efforts to seek input from parents/ guardians in the development of this curriculum have clarified that the community prefers these topics and concepts to be considered private, and should be limited to discussion within individual families. As such, there will be no direct instruction on the above topics (either alluded to- or specifically-cited as examples in the 2020 NJSLS-CHPE). Reference FLPS: Survey data (K-5 CHPE Curricular Resource Presentation, slides 10-12).
As such, any reference to an individual’s personal lifestyle or identity is intended only to affirm the belief that diversity among and within our learning community enriches and enhances our school district.
10. What legislative mandates are required to be taught as part of CHPE?
Our district policy, 2422 , outlines all the requirements and the grade levels in which they are required. This is mandated by the NJ DoE.
Last updated: 9.9.22