RAY TWP. , Mich. (WWJ) -- A public school district in Macomb County has called a halt to all reproductive health classes over complaints about a middle school assignment some parents called unbelievable.
Parents said 7th grade students at Endeavour Middle School in the New Haven Community Schools were handed a worksheet by their teacher asking details about their dating and sex lives.
The assignment, which was shared on social media, included the question, "Do you want to marry a virgin?" and "Do you want to watch an X-rated movie?" Responding to a copy of the worksheet, posted in Macomb Township community Facebook group, parents expressed outrage and dismay, with comments like: "Get this crap out of our schools!"
The district said the teacher pulled the worksheet from a resource called, “Relationships and Communication Activities, 90 Ready to Use Worksheets — Just for the Health of It.”
In a letter to parents, Superintendent Cheryl Puzdrakiewicz said the assignment should have been vetted to assure that the questions were appropriate for seventh graders. She said the district will end reproductive health instruction until changes are made.
Read the complete letter below:
"Dear New Haven Families
"I am writing to you to address the post that continues to be reposted regarding New Haven Community School District and an assignment. The assignment that was handed out was pulled by the teacher from a resource entitled, "Relationships and Communication Activities, 90 Ready to Use Worksheets-Just for the Health of It" author Patricia Rizzo Toner. The teacher had used this book as a resource previously in another district where she taught.
"Like many, I felt the assignment should have been vetted to assure the questions were appropriate for 7th grade students, as this specific resource is targeted for students in 7th-12th grade. I informed administration that any and all reproductive health classes would cease immediately, and that we will be putting together a committee for next year made up of teachers, parents, & local community members/health care professionals to develop/and or update a New Haven Reproductive Health Curriculum that will be board approved once it is completed.
"The process to develop a reproductive health curriculum is a long process, but it is a very important one! Within the process there will be a night for parents to come and view the materials that the committee chose for our district. If you have any further questions or would like to be part of the committee, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Puzdrakiewicz
Superintendent
New Haven Community Schools"