Help Stop Dangerous FCPS Curriculum Changes

Tell the School Board to stop plans to teach ideology over reality

• The Fairfax County School Board needs to hear from you before June 8.

The Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee has recommended deeply disturbing changes to what public school students in the county are taught. The changes obfuscate the truth about human biology, sexuality and family life. Send your comments opposing these changes here: FLEcomments@fcps.edu.

The School Board is considering:

• Using the phrase "sex assigned at birth" instead of "biological sex" to teach children that biology has no impact on being male or female
• Teaching students about pre-exposure prophylaxis. Also called PrEP, this drug is designed for use by those who are engaged in sexual behaviors which put them at high risk of contracting HIV.
• Removing "clergy" from a list of trusted adults with whom children should talk about their concerns regarding sex and sexuality
• No longer teaching that abstinence is the only 100% effective method of preventing sexually transmitted infections or diseases

These recommendations are all available to review online. A PowerPoint presentation is also available.

Please take the crucial time to submit your comments on these recommendations to FLEcomments@fcps.edu. Find a suggested sample message below or use your own words.

Thank you for taking the time to address this important issue.

Please email your comments to FLEcomments@fcps.edu today!

Sample Message:

Dear School Board,

I'm writing to oppose the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee's recommended changes to the FLE curriculum.

Many of the proposed changes in the Family Life Education are disturbing, ideologically driven and do not reflect the truth about biology, sexuality or family life. I urge you to reject these recommendations for the following reasons:

• The term "sex assigned at birth" is ideological and does not reflect biological reality. Children should be taught what "sex" and "gender" are in Family Life Classes consistent with what they are taught in biology classes. Sex and gender are not "assigned at birth," but are determined biologically.
• Teaching about pre-exposure prophylactics is not something that should be included in high school. Teaching about these drugs may not reduce the prevalence of HIV, but could have the opposite impact: it could expose students to a false sense of safety. Please don't include this instruction in the FLE curriculum.
• Children should continue to be taught that they can go to clergy with questions they have about sex and sexuality. Clergy provide guidance and support to children facing all manner of concerns, and should be included in the FLE curriculum as a resource.
• If students are taught about possible hormonal or medical interventions as part of a "gender transition," they must be taught about the risks and side effects involved in these procedures.
• In any grade where the use of contraceptives is taught students should also learn the risks and side effects that come with using contraceptives.
• I object to the removal of language about abstinence being the only 100% effective method of preventing transmission of sexually transmitted infections. The only sexual behavior which is 100% effective in preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections is abstinence.

Thank you for your time serving on the Board of Education. I appreciate you considering these comments. I urge you to vote to protect children and teach them biological reality over ideology.

Sincerely, [Insert Name of Constituent]

Thank you to the Virginia Catholic Conference, the public policy agency representing Virginia's Catholic bishops and their two dioceses, for this information. If you are not a member of the Conference's advocacy network, click here to receive regular Conference email alerts and updates.

New Summer Camp Options at St. Philip ECC

Join Fr. Steven in Ireland This Summer 

Only a few seats left on this trip of a lifetime

Join Father Steven Walker of the Diocese of Arlington on an extraordinary motor-coach adventure through Ireland this August! Only a few of the 30 spaces are still available.

On this trip we will climb mountains and explore castles. We will experience the unique beauty of Ireland, visiting many beautiful towns, coastlines and historic sites. We will also visit the holiest shrines and monasteries throughout the Emerald Isle, such as Knock, Glendalough and Skellig Michael. Most importantly, Father will celebrate Mass for us throughout the course of the trip.

Complement all of this with luxury four-star hotels, private motor-coach transportation and private guides from start to finish and you have the trip of a lifetime. All for $3,595, including airfare!

View the full itinerary here.

For more information, talk to Fr. Steven or contact tour director Joe Long at jlong@prorome.com or (570) 309-1346.

We CAN Help With Your Job Search

Christians Are Networking Meets 1st, 3rd Wednesdays

Need some encouragement looking for work? How about spiffing up your resume? Wondering how to market yourself on LinkedIn or the many other job websites?

On the first and third Wednesdays of the month at Saint Philip's Church, we hold a low-key ministry - Christians Are Networking (CAN) - to help you on these and other issues when it comes to work. It is low-key because we offer no shouting or crowds fighting to get your attention. We offer an opportunity to discuss what's on your mind regarding your job hunt or an opportunity to share experiences with people who are there to listen to you.

Whether you are in a job hunt or looking for an opportunity to volunteer, please come to our meetings. We meet regularly (unless the school or parish is closed) from 7:00 to 9:00& in Room 5.

For more information, please drop us a line at CanStPhilip@gmail.com.