Chapter 11 Court Required Notification

Sex Education and Your Rights as Parents

Sex Education and Your Rights as Parents

As Catholics, we believe that parents are the first and foremost educators of their children. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that families are the “privileged community” where children grown in wisdom, stature, and grace (CCC 2206-2209). Pope Francis has reaffirmed that the Catholic Church’s view of parents as the primary educators of children, and schools-Catholic and non-Catholic-as partners in the educational process. Thus the Church counsels us to work with public authorities to ensure and protect parental rights. In the Holy Father’s words, “Schools do not replace parents, but complement them.”

“Parents have the right to ensure that their children are not compelled to attend classes which are not in agreement with their own moral and religious convictions. In particular, sex education is a basic right of the parents and must always be carried out under their close supervision, whether at home or in educational centers chosen and controlled by them.” (Article V.c., Catholic Charter of the Rights of the Family)

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What is the California Healthy Youth Act?

On January 1, 2016, the California Healthy Youth Act (“HYA”) went into effect requiring California public school districts to provide students in grades seven through twelve with comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention information, including gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. There is ambiguity regarding the opt-out provisions in the instruction of involving discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation. Parents have the right to excuse their children from some or all instruction discussing human reproductive organs. Under the law, school districts may also offer “age-appropriate” instruction earlier than grade 7, and many do. Each school district can determine its own curriculum. Schools are required to inform parents and guardians a minimum of 14 days in advance and parents and guardians have a right to review all materials. Parents also have the right to excuse their children from tests, questionnaires and surveys relating to sex. To excuse a child, a parent must state his or her request in writing to the school district.

What the Law Says

History

In 1925 the U. S. Supreme Court, in Pierce v. Society of Sisters, unanimously affirmed that parents have the right to “direct” their children’s education (268 U. S. 510). California law on sexual health education states that it is the intent of the Legislature to respect the RIGHTS of parents/guardians to supervise their children’s education on the subject of human sexuality. Furthermore, the Legislature recognizes parents and guardians have the ultimate RESPONSIBILITY for imparting values regarding human sexuality to their children. (Ed Code §51937)

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What You Can Do

  1. Investigate how your respective district plans to implement the sex education curriculum and that it is age-appropriate.
Right To Review Material

2. You have a right to opt out without penalty; however, you must do so in writing.

 

3. Ask your school/district what opt-out form is required for all or part of the comprehensive sexual health education. Below are sample opt out forms you may use. To find out which district your child’s school belongs to, visit https://www.cde.ca.gov/schooldirectory.

Opt Out Of All Material
Opt Out Of Some Materials

4. Get additional information about the law and in which area a parent or guardian can opt-out, please read the California Catholic Conference Analysis (California Catholic Conference) by clicking the button below

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The resources below are referenced for parents to consider in the sexual health education of their children. They can also be considered by parishes should they choose to offer venues or programs to Catholic parents for their public schooled children whom they have excused from sexual health education classes.

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Family Education Curriculum

A person smiles while carrying a child at the beach, with waves and sunlight in the background. Both wear light-colored clothing.

Family Life Program

RCL Benziger

Recommended for grades K-8 children as a wholesome understanding of human sexuality based upon church moral principles.

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Theology of the Body

Ascension Press

Recommended for grades 7-12. Theology of the Body for Teens is a faith formation program for teens and pre-teens.

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LoveEd

St. Benedict Press

LoveEd is designed to equip, guide and education parents to talk more comfortably and effectively with their children about life, love and sexuality.

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Additional Resources

Four people sit on large wooden steps, only their legs and feet are visible. They wear various jeans and sneakers, with one person in distinctive yellow shoes. The weathered wood and casual attire suggest a relaxed setting.
Male and Female He Created Them: Towards a Path of Dialogue on the Question of Gender Theory in Education
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The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: Guidelines for Education within the Family
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Two people sit closely on a rooftop at sunset, facing a cityscape. Lit candles in the foreground add a warm glow, contrasting with the dusky blue and orange sky.
The Role Of The Christian Family In The Modern World
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Love and Sexuality-USCCB
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Contact Information

Staff

  • Director: John Prust
  • Associate Director: Janelle Peregoy
  • Associate Director: Wendy Baez
  • Administrative Assistant: Vivian Toscano

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Catholic Diocese of San Diego

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms depicts a red boat on a blue ocean, which is crisscrossed by diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is often referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, who was known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic and cultural communities. The red of the boat, the beehive and the tongues of fire allude to the blood of the martyrs.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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