Schools implement AIDS curriculum

The bishops of New York State have released a new curriculum on HIV/AIDS for use in Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.

"HIV/AIDS Education: A Catholic Framework of Understanding" will help Catholic educators comply with the New York State Board of Regents' HIV/AIDS instructional mandate.

The curriculum does not mark the first time that HIV/AIDS instruction will take place in Catholic schools, according to Thomas Fitzgerald, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese. Rather, it provides Catholic teachers with a new, streamlined version. Catholic schools have complied with the state mandate since it was adopted in 1987.

Consistent message

In the past, Catholic schools used the State Education Department's HIV/AIDS instructional guide with a Catholic supplement. Recently, the bishops determined that a single Catholic edition would provide students, teachers and catechists with a strong, consistent message based on Catholic teachings and values.

The new kindergarten through grade 12 curriculum reflects the Church's belief that parents are the primary educators of their children, Dr. Fitzgerald said. The curriculum includes materials to facilitate conversations between parent and child. In addition, schools will inform parents of the new curriculum.

"Our schools will send a notice home to parents that there is the curriculum," Dr. Fitzgerald said. "The principal will also follow up."

Parents' role

Parents, he said, should feel free to look at the curriculum, especially the activities and projects suggested for families.

"Parents should feel comfortable that there is a religious dimension," Dr. Fitzgerald said. "The main thrust is abstinence."

Also, parents can request that their child not participate in the instruction. "If the parent doesn't want the child to receive instruction, the parent can write a letter, and we will honor it," Dr. Fitzgerald said.

While some may be alarmed that HIV/AIDS instruction begins at the primary level, there is no reason for concern, according to Dr. Fitzgerald. "In the lower grades, it's about general health aspects and about God's love for us even if we're not well," he said. "It's more about religion and health than talking about a disease. We don't want children to be frightened. We want them to hear the Catholic Church's approach."

Fitting the age

Sister Elizabeth Costanzo, CSJ, principal of St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam, said the information presented in the curriculum is age-appropriate.

"It's well planned out," she said. "The activities are at grade level. It's a worthwhile curriculum."

Sister Elizabeth said it is important for a curriculum to start at the primary grade level and continue through high school. That allows teachers to build the child's knowledge base each year.

Misconceptions

It is important to continue to educate children and adults about HIV/AIDS, the curriculum notes, because there are still many misconceptions. Since media coverage on HIV/AIDS often focuses on risk groups, many people tune out the information since they believe they aren't a member of a high-risk population.

"Many teenagers do not perceive themselves as falling into a 'high-risk' group for HIV," the curriculum states. "Pointing a finger at the 'groups' of persons who have HIV allows other persons to feel safe because they may not be in those groups.

"If you suggest teens who are 'promiscuous' or teens who have had many partners are at risk, many other teens may feel they are not at risk because they may have only one partner."