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Chesterfield County School District

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Comprehensive Health

Comprehensive Health Instruction

In 1988, the South Carolina Legislature passed the Comprehensive Health Education Act into law. The purpose of the law is to address the crucial need for state public schools to be involved in the health and well-being of their students. Key components of the law established age-appropriate sequential instruction in the area of health education. Additional legislature mandated that schools provide opportunities for students to participate in physical activity on a regular basis. Kindergarten through grade five students are required to receive instruction in nutrition at least once a week. The Comprehensive Health Education Act mandates that schools provide time for health education instruction. Therefore, the South Carolina Department of Education professional staff, working in collaboration with the Safety Education Standards Review Committee and the Writing Team, created South Carolina Health and Safety Education Curriculum Standards to ensure that schools are satisfying the intent of the Comprehensive Health Education Act. Chesterfield School District educators adhere to the law by using the SCDE Health and Safety Education curriculum, instructional support documents, and health instructional materials in our classrooms to educate our children to make health choices that promote healthy well-being.

Approved Curriculum for Comprehensive Health Education

  • Content areas based on requirements of SC Comprehensive Health Education Act.

    The following content areas are addressed at every grade level on the basis of specific, developmentally/age appropriate performance indicators:

    • Mental, Emotional, Social Health
    • Injury Prevention and Safety
    • Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
    • Growth, Development and Sexual Health/Responsibility
    • Personal and Community Health
    • Nutrition and Physical Activity
    • Sexual assault &  abuse - Erin's Law

     

    SC state adopted instructional materials used are: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Health and Wellness.

    Additional Approved Resource material are:

    • Teachers trained in Jason Flatt Suicide Prevention- SCDE
    • Nutrition through cafeteria choices
    • FitnessGram Activity Instruction, grade levels K-9 - SCDНЕС
  • Send out parent letter at least 2 weeks before comprehensive health series begins to allow parents time, if they desire, for their child to Opt out of the program.
     
    6th Grade: (Holt: Decisions for Health)

    • Male and female reproductive systems (Holt: Chapter 9, lessons 1-4)
    • Sexually transmitted diseases (Holt: Chapter 10, lesson 4)
    • Body image (Holt: Chapter 4, lessons 104)
    • Personal hygiene (variety of approved resources such as video "It's a Girl Thing" or "It's a Boy Thing")
    • Sexual assault/abuse - Erin's Law

     

    7th Grade: (Holt: Decisions for Health)

    • Review male and female reproductive systems (Holt: Chapter 16, lessons 1-5)
    • Diseases and complications of reproductive systems (Holt: Chapter 16, lessons 2  and 3)
    • Growing up from conception to aging (Holt: Chapter 16, lessons 5 and 6)
    • Reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (Holt: Chapter 14, lesson 4)
    • Body image and self-concept (Holt: Chapter 3, lessons 1-3 and Chapter 6, lessons 1 and 2)
    • Sexual assault/abuse - Erin's Law

     

    8th Grade: (Holt: Decisions for Health)

    • Review of reproductive systems and related problems (Holt: Chapter 9, lessons 1 and 2)
    • Pregnancy and birth (Holt: Chapter 9,  lesson 3)
    • Healthy relationships (Holt: Chapter 11, lesson 5)
    • Teen dating (Holt: Chapter 11, lesson 6 and curriculum from the ROAR Program)
    • Sexual assault/abuse Erin's Law

     

    9th  Grade: (Holt: Lifetime Health)

    • Review healthy relationships and Teen dating
    • Consequences of sexual activity in health risks and teen pregnancy
    • Reducting risks of sexually transmitted diseases
    • Types of contraceptives
    • Sexual assault/abuse Erin's Law

     

    Additional Approved Resource Material for Reproductive Health Curriculum:

    • Decisions for Health (Green, Red and Blue Holt textbooks)
    • Always Changing' - pamphlet and video produced by kotex
    • It's a Girl Thing' - It's a Guy Thing' - text, pamphlets
    • ROAR Program provided by Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and
    • Sexual Assault - Pee Dee Coalition
    • "Go Ape" Program at Long Middle School - Inactive program

Course Syllabus

Curriculum Guides

Materials Used in The Classrooms

Chesterfield County School District teachers use the South Carolina State Health and Safety Education Curriculum Guidelines, Standards and Performance Indicators to implement Comprehensive Health Education. Teachers use the lessons, activity ideas, and assessments suggested in the state Curriculum Guide. Every class receives health instruction through units integrated within a Health block.

K-2

  • Harcourt Health and Fitness - Copyright-2006
  • ISBN 0-15-337526-4
  • Harcourt School Publishers
  • Textbooks and Resource Kits
  • The OrganWise Guy

Grade 3

  • Harcourt Health and Fitness - Copyright-2006
  • ISBN 0-15-337526-4
  • Harcourt School Publishers
  • Textbooks and Resource Kits
  • The OrganWise Guy

Grade 4

  • Harcourt Health and Fitness - Copyright-2006
  • ISBN 0-15-337527-2
  • Harcourt School Publishers
  • The OrganWise Guy

Grade 5

  • Harcourt Health and Fitness
  • Copyright-2006
  • ISBN 0-15-337529-2
  • Harcourt School Publishers
  • The OrganWise Guy

Grades 6-8

  • Glencoe Teen Health
  • Courses 1,2, and 3
  • Copyright-2014
  • Publisher: McGraw Hill Glencoe
  • Textbooks and Resource Kits
  • Other resources
  • Teacher Made Projects

High School

PERSONAL HEALTH (340223CW)

Credit: 1 Unit     Grade Placement: 10-12

Prerequisite:     Physical Education 1

This course will enable students to gain knowledge and skills about healthful living topics important to their age levels. Taught within our Physical Education Department, students are provided opportunities to explore the effect of health behaviors on an individual's quality of life. This course assists students in understanding that health is a lifetime commitment by analyzing individual risk factors and health decisions that promote health and prevent disease.

  • Glencoe Health
  • Glencoe Families Today
  • Wellness and Sexual Health – Worth the Wait
  • Living WELL Aware Adolescent Wellness & Sexual Health
  • Textbooks and Resource Kits
  • Other resources
  • Teacher Made Projects-Supertracker.usda.gov
  • Courses
  • CATE Nutrition and Food
  • Food for Today
  • Apex Learning Health Course
  • Sexual Health Unit
  • Safer Choices Comprehensive Health Manuel
  • The Truth About Dugs: Education Package
  • Choice with Current Health Magazines

Erin's Law Curriculum

Sexual Abuse & Assault Awareness and Prevention

South Carolina Code of Laws §59-32-30(E)

Requires age-appropriate, annual instruction in sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention as part of the Comprehensive Health Education Program.

South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) Guidance

Districts must use developmentally appropriate instruction, notify parents, and ensure staff training.

Gavin’s Law (Sexual Extortion Awareness)

SCDE guidance recommends incorporating education on sexual extortion and online exploitation, especially for middle and high school students.

  • Time: 20–30 minutes

    Delivered by: School counselor, nurse, or trained educator

     

    SC-Aligned Objectives

    Students will:

    • Understand body ownership
    • Identify safe vs. unsafe touch
    • Practice telling a trusted adult Required Emphasis
    • Use non-graphic, age-appropriate language
    • No requirement to disclose personal experiences

     

    Reporting Language (SC-Appropriate)

    “Tell a trusted adult such as a teacher, counselor, nurse, administrator, or family member.”

  • Time: 30–40 minutes

     

    SC-Aligned Objectives

    Students will:

    • Recognize inappropriate behavior

    • Understand grooming in simple terms

    • Identify school-based reporting options

     

    SC-Specific Topics

    • Trusted adults in South Carolina schools
    • Online safety basics
    • Reinforcement of mandatory reporter role of school staff
  • Time: 45–60 minutes

     

    SC-Aligned Objectives

    Students will:

    • Define consent and boundaries
    • Recognize harassment, abuse, and exploitation
    • Understand online risks and extortion

     

    South Carolina Additions

    • Introduction to Gavin’s Law concepts:

         o Sexual extortion

         o Threats involving images or messages

    • How to report concerns to:

         o School administration

         o School counselors

         o Trusted adults

  • Time: 60 minutes

     

    SC-Aligned Objectives

    Students will:

    • Understand consent under South Carolina law
    • Recognize sexual assault, coercion, and exploitation
    • Know reporting options and support resources

     

    South Carolina–Specific Content

    • Sexual assault and consent (non-legal advice, educational only)

    • Sexual extortion and digital exploitation (Gavin’s Law)

    • Bystander intervention strategies

    • School and community reporting pathways

     

    SC Resources to Reference

    • School counselors and administrators

    • Local law enforcement (when appropriate)

    • South Carolina child advocacy and victim support organizations

    • Safe Schools Training
    • Darkness to Light Training
    • Signs of child sexual abuse and neglect
    • Mandatory reporting requirements under South Carolina law
    • How to respond to student disclosures
    • Trauma-informed practices
    • Confidentiality and documentation
  • Districts must:

    • Notify parents/guardians in advance

    • Provide:

         o Grade-level topic overview

         o Purpose of instruction

         o Contact information for questions

    • Make materials available for review upon request

Health Education Program

Health Education at SC Department of Education

 

CPR & Rescue Breathing is taught to 9th graders during their PE/Comprehensive Health Class.  Attached is a link to CPR/AED instruction.