The Falls Church City Schools Family Life Education (FLE) Program is designed to meet the desires of the Falls Church community regarding the appropriate content and sequencing of Family Life instruction for students in grades K-12. The program is seen as a partnership among parents, teachers, and the community, joining together to actively encourage students to decide to live healthy, responsible lifestyles. As in all school programs, the Family Life Education Program will ensure that ethical qualities such as mutual respect, fairness, and honesty are developed and expected.

Discussion Topics

• Family living and community relationships

• The value of postponing sexual activity until marriage

• Human sexuality

• Human reproduction and contraception

• The etiology, prevention, and effects of sexually transmitted diseases

• Stress management and resistance to peer pressure

• Development of positive self-concepts and respect for others, including people of other races, religions, or origins

• Parenting skills

• Substance abuse

• Child abuse

• Appropriate use of electronic and communication devices, including text messaging, instant messaging, and social networking websites

Principles of the Program

• All human beings have worth and dignity

• Love, respect, and commitment among human beings are to be cherished

• Understanding and acceptance of others, regardless of their race, religion, or individual differences, are fundamental to a democratic society

• Communication and cooperation among individuals are essential to positive relationships in the family and society

• The family is the basic human community through which persons are nurtured and sustained in mutual love, responsibility, respect, and fidelity

• Human sexuality is a natural part of our lives

• Abstaining from sexual intercourse until adulthood is consistent with the law of Virginia, and helps provide a foundation for a healthy emotional and physical adult life

• Parenting is a responsibility which requires time, skills, and commitment in helping children develop into caring, productive adults

Goals of the Program

• Promoting physical and emotional wellness among students and encouraging them to avoid destructive behavior

• Conveying accurate knowledge and information to students

• Promoting positive feelings about self among students

• Helping students to accept responsibility for their own decisions and behavior

• Providing information regarding federal, state, and local laws concerning sexual conduct and the use of alcohol and drugs

• Maintaining clear communication between teachers and parents about the program

• Helping students understand the relationship between a healthy family and a healthy society

• Presenting perspectives and information about human sexuality without advocating or denigrating individual beliefs or encouraging students to share private family or personal matters

• Benefits of abstaining from premarital sexual intercourse

Parents and guardians have the right to review the Family Life Education Program offered by the Falls Church City Schools, including written and audio-visual educational materials used in the program.  Parents and guardians also have the right to excuse their child from all or part of family life education instruction. Students who do not receive the FLE instruction will be provided alternative health instruction.

While parents/guardians may opt their child out of formal FLE instruction, teachers cannot be held responsible for spontaneous questions from students that may pertain to subjects previously discussed. Neither can a teacher be held accountable for discussions of sensitive topics that occur among students outside class. Every effort will be made to ensure that students understand and respect family choices in this matter to avoid undue peer pressure.

The Virginia Family Life Education Guidelines and Standards of Learning (revised September 2022) may be downloaded or reviewed at the link below:

Virginia Standards of Learning 2022 (K-12) for Family Life Education