The notice will stress that parents and guardians have the right to “opt out,” by signing a form if they do not want their children to have access to condoms.
SPRINGFIELD – The School Department will be contacting parents by letter and by telephone during the next two weeks to provide details of a new program that allows students ages 12 and older to have access to condoms.
The notice will stress that parents and guardians have the right to “opt out,” by signing a form if they do not want their children to have access to the program.
Helen R. Caulton-HarrisThe access to condoms under the new “Comprehensive Reproductive Health Policy,” was approved by the School Committee in April by a 4-3 vote, with the aim of reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted illnesses.
“We are using all forms of communication to make sure parents are aware of this policy,” said Helen R. Caulton-Harris, the city’s director of health and human services. “We strongly believe that parents are our partner in implementing this policy.”
Letters and opt-out forms will be mailed before school starts, just targeting the affected families of middle school and high school students, ages 12 and older. The opt out forms can be returned by mail or in person, or written notice can be provided any time during the year, according to the policy.
In addition, parents will be contacted by the Connect-Ed telephone system before school starts, with basic information about the new program, officials said.
Under the program that takes effect Sept. 1, condoms will be available for eligible students from school nurses at the middle schools and high schools and the school-based health clinics.
“School nurses will educate eligible students on abstinence, faithfulness, STI/HIV, pregnancy, and storage and usage of condoms,” the policy states. “Eligible students will be able to ask questions which will be answered factually and in an age-appropriate manner.”
The student would have access to one condom per visit, but there is not a limit on the number of visits, Caulton-Harris said.
Matthew H. Ferri, who was among residents who raised objections and concerns about the condom policy, praised the outreach effort.
“I applaud both the Springfield public school system and the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services for being thorough, professional and courteous with this rather provocative and difficult issue.”
Last March, Ferri said he planned to “opt out” his children from the program. He has since decided to have his twin daughters attend private school, but the decision was not related to the condom issue, he said.
The Comprehensive Reproductive Health policy will be included in the student-parent handbook given to students the first week of school, said Azell Cavaan, director of communications for the Springfield Public Schools.
The implementation plan was jointly drafted by the School Department and the Springfield Adolescent Sexual Health Advisory council, Cavaan said.
School nurses will be provided with detailed information about the condom policy and procedures during a professional development day on Tuesday, Caulton-Harris said. That will include “making sure the nurses are comfortable answering questions and clear about the policy and the process,” she said.
“Obviously our hope has been that we decrease the teen birth rate in city of Springfield, and we increase the high school graduation rates,” Caulton-Harris said. “We believe those two factors are tied together.”