Theology of the Body Program for Middle School Students Parent Session Theology of the Body Program for Middle School Students

Welcome and Introduction Bishop Kevin Rhoades Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Greet all of the parents present and thank them for coming to learn more about this new diocesan program for 7th graders. Play the first part of Bishop Rhoades’ video presentation to parents, up until 8:03.

Overview of TOB program for school students 8 week religion unit in second semester of 7th Grade, utilizing: 1. Ascension Press’ Theology of the Body for Teens (Middle School Edition) program 2. 8 additional lessons developed by diocesan Office of Family Life

Overview of TOB program for religious education students 12 hours of instruction time in second semester of 7th grade 8 chapters of Ascension Press program Key concepts in supplemental lessons 1-4 Supplemental lessons 5-8

Teacher & Catechist Selection Each principal and DRE, in consultation with the pastor, has designated teachers/catechists to present the TOB program Criteria for Selection Fidelity to Church teaching Comfort with subject matter Teachers and catechists have received training to teach the TOB program through the diocesan Office of Family Life.

Ascension Press Theology of the Body for Teens Middle School Edition Parent Overview DVD Ascension Press Theology of the Body for Teens Middle School Edition Play the 33 minute” Parent Session” DVD that is on Disc 3 part of the Ascension Press Theology of the Body for Teens (Middle School Edition) DVD set.

Saint John Paul II Speaks to Young People “Dear young friends! Do not allow this treasure to be taken away from you! Do not inscribe in the plan of your life a deformed, impoverished and falsified content: love “rejoices in the truth”. Seek out this truth where it is really to be found! If necessary, be resolved to go against the current of popular opinion and propaganda slogans! Do not be afraid of the love that places clear demands on people. These demands—as you find them in the constant teaching of the Church—are precisely capable of making your love a true love.” (1985, Letter to Youth)

Timeline for the TOB Program How to preview materials, if interested Dates the program will be taught Schedule of what will be covered when Method of communicating with parents Other important information

Parental Right to Withhold Child Chapters 5 and 6 and their corresponding supplemental lessons cover more sensitive topics regarding sexual morality Bishop Rhoades has decided that parents will have the option to withhold their child from attending class when these chapters are covered, should they decide that this is in the best interests of their child Students may be excused only from Chapters 5 and 6, and this must be stipulated in writing by a parent or guardian

Ascension Press Parent Guide Distribute Parent Guides and go through table of contents with parents.

Data from “Parents Matter: The role of parents in teens’ decisions about sex” In two nationally representative polls of 12-to 19-year-olds, respondents were asked about who they think is most influential when it comes to teens’ decisions about sex. Fifty-nine percent of 12-to 14-year-olds reported that parents had the most influence on their decisions about sex Research repeatedly shows that strong parent-adolescent relationship quality, communication, and monitoring and awareness of adolescents’ activities are associated with delayed sexual initiation It would be good to have copies of the handout from which this data is taken available for interested parents. A PDF is available from the diocesan Office of Family Life. The article is called Parents Matter: The Role of Parents in Teens’ Decisions About Sex, by Erum Ikramullah, B.A./B.S., Jennifer Manlove, Ph.D., Carol Cui, B.A., and Kristin A. Moore, Ph.D. November 2009

The irreplaceable role of parents The first and most important educators Show the second part of Bishop Rhoades’ video presentation to parents, from 8:05 to 13:26.

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