OWL: Our Whole Lives, Lifespan Sexuality Education
OWL sexuality education programs change lives.
Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curricula for use in both secular settings and faith communities.
OWL helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, sexual health and behavior. OWL provides accurate, developmentally appropriate information about topics including relationships, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and sexual health. If you have any questions about owl, please reach out to us at [email protected]. 
OWL firmly believes that the primary sexuality educator for each child is their parent. How to be an "askable" parent. |
Meetings will be held in the small Youth Group room, upstairs in the Carriage House.
While Our Whole Lives is secular, it is not value-free. The program gives clear messages about the following key sexuality issues: self worth, sexual health, responsibility, justice and inclusivity
Our Whole Lives recognizes and respects the diversity of participants with respect to biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and disability status in addition to cultural and racial background. The activities and language used throughout the program have been carefully chosen to be as inclusive as possible of this human diversity. Our Whole Lives covers topics and skills that both parents and children want covered but which schools often exclude or address only briefly. National surveys show that most parents, along with educators and children and youth, want to expand sexuality education. Our Whole Lives is an excellent way to accomplish that goal. 
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Our Whole Lives is used in faith communities across the country, as well as by public, charter, and private schools; after-school programs; youth groups; home schoolers; colleges; correctional facilities; and groups in other settings.
The UUA does an amazing job explaining OWL. To learn more about the program, click here. Our Whole Lives is informed by the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education produced by the National Guidelines Task Force, a group of leading health, education, and sexuality professionals assembled by the US Sexuality Information and Education Council. In every category of assessment, the curriculum meets or exceeds the National Standards for Sexuality Education Core Curriculum. Contact [email protected]
for more information. Here are some resources for you and your child:
Pre-K: The Family Book by Todd Parr Kindergarten and First Grade: It's Not the Stork by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberly What Makes a Baby by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall Born from the Heart by Bertha Serrano and Alfonso Serrano Fertile Love: The Magical Story of how YOU were Made by Debra Doubrava Fourth through Sixth Grade: It's Perfectly Normal (2021 Edition) by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberly (provided to OWL students) The Boy's Body Book by Kelli Dunham, RN BSN The Girl's Body Book by Kelli Dunham, RN BSN Seventh Grade through Adulthood: At Home Sex Ed Resources |
K/1st Grade Owl
Enrollment
This OWL is for kindergarten and first graders or children ages 5-7. It will run fall 2024 with a mandatory child/care giver orientation in September 2024
People can pre-register for K-1 by emailing [email protected].
The fees for this class are $25 for members and $50 for non-members. Payment can be submitted on our giving page.
Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone. For information on scholarships, email [email protected].
People can pre-register for K-1 by emailing [email protected].
The fees for this class are $25 for members and $50 for non-members. Payment can be submitted on our giving page.
Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone. For information on scholarships, email [email protected].
Schedule
Kindergarten and first grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (after service) from 11:15-12:15. Orientation will be 9/15 from 11:15-12:15 on 9/15 in the Leader Room in the Carriage House, and then we will meet on the following dates: 9/29, 10/6, 10/20, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 11/24, and our celebration on 12/8.
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Week 1: Our Wonderful Bodies
Week 2: Bodies and Gender |
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5th/6th Grade Owl
This is a 10-week program that will be available February of 2024. Email [email protected] for registration information.
There will be a Mandatory In-Person/Child at UUCY Parent Orientation Meeting to review course materials orientation in January 2025, and the course runs February-May 2025.
The fees for this class are $25 for members and $50 for non-members. Payment can be submitted on our giving page.
Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone. For information on scholarships, email [email protected].
There will be a Mandatory In-Person/Child at UUCY Parent Orientation Meeting to review course materials orientation in January 2025, and the course runs February-May 2025.
The fees for this class are $25 for members and $50 for non-members. Payment can be submitted on our giving page.
Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone. For information on scholarships, email [email protected].
Schedule
Fifth and sixth grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (after service) from 11:15-12:30.
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Week 1: Sexuality and Values
Week 2: Images in Popular Culture Week 3: Body Image Week 4: Changes of Puberty Week 5: Gender |
Week 6: Feelings and Attractions
Week 7: Reproduction and Health Week 8: Decisions and Actions Week 9: Consent & Peer Pressure Week 10: Healthy Relationships |
8th/9th Grade Owl
This is a 25-week program that will run Fall of 2024 through Spring 2025. Email [email protected] for information on the next session.
The fees for this class are $50 for members and $100 for non-members. Payment can be submitted on our giving page. Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone. For information on scholarships, email [email protected].
There will be a mandatory parent orientation on Sunday 9/15 from 11:30 am - 1pm in the "OWL" room in the carriage house at UUCYork.
The fees for this class are $50 for members and $100 for non-members. Payment can be submitted on our giving page. Scholarships are available to make OWL accessible to everyone. For information on scholarships, email [email protected].
There will be a mandatory parent orientation on Sunday 9/15 from 11:30 am - 1pm in the "OWL" room in the carriage house at UUCYork.
Schedule
Eighth and ninth grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (during service) from 10:00-11:30.
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9/29/24: What Is Sexuality?
10/6/24: Examining Values 10/20/24: The Language of Sexuality 11/3/24: Anatomy and Physiology 11/10/24: Concerns about Puberty 11/17/24: Body Image 11/24/24: Gender Identity 12/8/24: Gender Expression/Roles |
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11th/12th Grade Owl
We have not been able to offer this program yet, as this curriculum is currently in redevelopment. We will have a new curriculum once UUA approves it. Keep your eyes out for this program. Similar to the way we are running adult owl, we are hoping to offer this as a half- or full-day workshop.
Email [email protected] for information on the next session.
Email [email protected] for information on the next session.
Adult Owl
Using values, communication skills and spirituality as starting points, this program explores sexuality issues for adults of all ages. Builds understanding of healthy sexual relationships, affirms diversity and helps participants accept and affirm their own sexuality throughout their lives.
Adult OWL offers three levels - young adult, adult and older adult. We will be having either a half- or full-day workshop in late spring or early summer. Watch out for a survey about potential topics and dates or email us at [email protected] to let us know you are interested in Adult OWL.
For more information about OWL go to https://www.uua.org/re/owl.
Adult OWL offers three levels - young adult, adult and older adult. We will be having either a half- or full-day workshop in late spring or early summer. Watch out for a survey about potential topics and dates or email us at [email protected] to let us know you are interested in Adult OWL.
For more information about OWL go to https://www.uua.org/re/owl.
Facilitators:
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