Due to an increase in Cannon County’s rate from previous years’ data, Cannon County Schools will implement a new program that is aimed to reduce teen pregnancy rates in Cannon County. Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-1302 requires all school districts in counties with a pregnancy rate exceeding 19.5 to create and implement a family life education program.
The Pure and Simple curriculum is a research based family life program that teaches abstinence from risky behaviors and will target 7th and 8th grade students beginning in October. The goal of Pure & Simple Choice curriculum series is to empower youth with inner strength to practice sexual self-control while avoiding other risky behaviors that lead to negative consequences. Students will learn skills for goal-setting, decision-making, setting personal boundaries, self-control and relationship skills, as well as, how to deal with negative influences of peers, the media, and societal norms.
The class will be taught in two one hour sessions with a train Health educator from the Department of Health and with Cannon County Schools Lead Nurse, Leslie Pelham. Parents will be sent a packet with a detail description of each class along with a parent permission form allowing their child to participate. Students will not be penalized for not participating since no grade will be assigned. Power points used in the presentation will be posted on the Coordinated School Health webpage for parents to view in September. For more information concerning this program contact, Bonnie Patterson, Director of Coordinated School Health at 615-563-5752.
