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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Questions and Comments