First Parish in Concord has a long tradition of helping our youth face the challenges of adolescence, especially around issues of sexuality. Our congregation has offered the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum to 8th graders every year since the program’s creation in 2000; in fact, using previous iterations of the curriculum (then called About Your Sexuality), we have been offering sexuality education in a religious context to our youth since 1971. We also offer Little OWL for Kindergarten/2nd graders and Middle OWL for 5th graders periodically.

Winter/ Spring 2024- 8th Grade OWL

All sessions held on Sundays, 10:00- 11:30 a.m. in the Greeley Room.

Parent Orientation: Sunday, February 4, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Emerson Room.

3/3/24 Session 1: What is Sexuality? Examining Values
3/10/24 Session 2: Language of Sexuality, Anatomy & Physiology
3/17/24 Session 3: Personal Concerns about Puberty
3/24/24 Session 4: Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
4/7/24 Session 5: Guest Panel from Speak OUT
4/21/24 Session 6: Healthy Relationships
4/28/24 Session 7: Redefining Abstinence
5/5/24 Session 8: Lovemaking, STIs, Pregnancy
5/12/24 Session 9: Contraception & Safer Sex
5/19/24 Session 10: Communication, Decision Making, and Self-Care

 

Tim Peacock and Dawn Van Patten are teaching 8th grade OWL this year.  The Orientation gives guardians an opportunity to learn more about the curriculum. One parent/guardian must attend the orientation and all guardians for each teen must sign the OWL Permission Form.  

Questions? Please email Dawn Van Patten dvanpatten@firstparish.org

 

Winter 2023- Middle OWL for 5th graders

All sessions held on Sundays, 10:00- 11:15 a.m. in the Chapel*.

Parent Orientation: Wednesday, November 16, 7:00- 8:00 p.m.

12/11/22 Session 1: Values, Relationships, Communication
12/18/22 Session 2: Anatomy, Puberty, Hygiene
1/8/23 Session 3: Gender Identity, Sexuality
1/22/23 Session 4: Lovemaking, Reproduction
1/29/23* Session 5: Cyber Safety, Decision Making, Health & Safety
*Our session on 1/29/23 will be 10am-12:30pm with a pizza lunch.

Fall 2022- Little OWL for Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd graders

All sessions held on Sundays, 10:00- 11:15 a.m. in the Chapel.

Parent Orientation: Tuesday, September 13, 7:00- 8:00 p.m.

9/18/22 Session 1: Our Wonderful Bodies
9/25/22 Session 2: Healthy Bodies
10/2/22 Session 3: Safe Bodies
10/16/22 Session 4: Relationships
10/23/22 Session 5: Feelings and Communication
10/30/22 Session 6: Family
11/6/22 Session 7: Birth of a Baby
11/13/22 Session 8: Celebration