How to withdraw your child from sex education or safe environment courses

Here’s How to Give the School Formal Notice That your Child, or Children, Will Have Exemption from Sex Education Courses.

Instructions and helpful hints:

The following letter, below, is normally sent after you have verbally notified both the sex education teacher and school principal that your child, or children, will not be attending any sex education classes or other related events or programs (you can also use this Opt-out from sex ed form). It is important to make sure both individuals receive the letter. You want to keep both the academic and administration levels aware and informed about your plans. Using the form documents your decision.

Experience indicates that you shouldn’t say much more than what is necessary. Take the moral high-ground, and stick to it. Always remember that it is the parents who are the prime authorities in the education of their own children. There is no need to descend from your position. If you do, you relinquish your chief advantage. Sticking to your ground and declining to budge, waiver or dialogue lets you set the terms.

There is no reason to resort to arguing, objecting, remonstrating with school officials, or demonstrating the errors of the sex education course.

You simply need to inform that you do not wish to delegate to the school your responsibility for the formation of your children in purity of morals or sexual matters.

Your first duty is to you own children. After you get them out of danger, you can help other parents do the same for their children. Then, together, you can engage the school and diocese in future interaction.

Adapted from National Coalition of Clergy and Laity literature. NCCL: Voice (610) 882-3124, Fax (610) 882-3125, Coalition@aol.com

Sample Opt-out Letter Below

Date

School Contact
Name of School
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear (Name of School Contact):

Thank you for talking with me on (date). This letter confirms our conversation with regard to my child’s (or children’s) attendance in the school’s (name of sex education or safe environment course) course.

As I explained to you, my spouse and I do not find it necessary, or opportune, to avail ourselves of the school’s assistance in the formation of our child (or children) in sexual matters. (Name of child or children) will not attend, or participate in, (name of sex education or safe environment course), or in any other event or discussion in which sex, sexuality, or danger is the theme, whether introduced by a teacher or student.

We want to know where our (child or children) will study while not attending the course. If you have any questions, or need to speak to us, please contact us at (list business and home telephone numbers).

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Name of Parent(s)
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Telephone number(s)
Cell phone
Fax number
E-mail address