Our Whole Lives
Ask any adult who's raised their kids as a Unitarian Universalist and they will tell you that Our Whole Lives was the single best thing they ever did for their kid. Even non-UU's agree: Our Whole Lives saves lives (read on for more).
Now there's an opportunity for YOU AND YOUR KID(S) to attend O.W.L. in Studio City.
JOIN US SUN, 2/11/24 at 11:30 AM - OUR WHOLE LIVES PARENT ORIENTATION. RSVP at www.bit.ly/OWL4Kids2024
The upcoming session for 4th-6th Graders will run alternating Sundays Feb 18 to April 28 (except for Spring Break), 10 AM to 1 PM.
A concurrent parent session will help parents get a glimpse into what their children are learning and will help open up channels of dialogue as kids head into puberty and then adolescence.
O.W.L. participants -- kids and parents alike -- credit the program with helping kids be the people on the playground who have accurate knowledge and skills to be good friends and responsible allies in relationships of all kinds, from friendships to crushes and (eventually) beyond.
Read this article from UU World to understand where Unitarian Universalists come from with regard to sex ed and then RSVP to attend the parent info session.
Email Jacki Weber - jweber@uustudiocity.org for more information.
* NPR, Weekend Edition Saturday, December 16, 2023, "Some Oklahoma churches are teaching sex ed, to fill in gaps left by public schools".
**The New York Times, March 24, 2016, "Sex Education, Still Languishing"
What is OWL?
Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education curricula for five age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, and adults, developed by and used in Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ congregations across North America.
Our Whole Lives equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. It is grounded in a holistic view of sexuality.
Our Whole Lives provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. Sessions are taught by co-ed teams of church members who have attended official OWL trainings.
When will OWL be held?
4th-6th Grade OWL will run in Spring 2024 (5 weeks)
K/1 OWL will run early Fall 2024 (5 weeks)
7th-9th Grade OWL is tentatively planned for Winter 2024 to Spring 2025 (13 weeks)
Is there a cost for OWL?
Our Whole Lives is a program central to the mission of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City. It is offered for free. Donations of $25 to $2,500 to offset materials and teacher training are graciously accepted but not required. (We also hope you'll bring snack one day, but it's also not required.)
Do I have to be a Unitarian Universalist to enroll my kid?
Nope. You need to attend a parent information session and you and your kids need to commit to participating in classes to the very best of your ability to get the most out of the offering.
Email dre@uustudiocity.org for more information!