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LGBTQ Friendly Church - Unitarian Universalist Church of York

OWL: ​Our Whole Lives, Lifespan Sexuality Education​

OWL sexuality education programs change lives.

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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 owl@uucy.org.
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OWL firmly believes that the primary sexuality educator for each child is their parent.

How to be an "askable" parent.
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Meetings will be held in the small Youth Group room, upstairs in the Carriage House.

Our Whole Lives Values:

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 owl@uucy.org
​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 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.  There will be a required parent/child orientation on 9/17 from 11:15-12:15 in the lower level at UUCY.

Email owl@uucy.org to pre-register or for information on the next session.

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 owl@uucy.org.

​Schedule

Kindergarten and first grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (after service) from 11:15-12:15.
10/1 Our Wonderful Bodies
10/15 Bodies and Gender
10/22 Body Boundaries
11/5 Families
11/12 How Babies Begin
11/19 Pregnancy and Birth
12/3 Babies
12/10 Celebrations!

5th/6th Grade Owl

This is a 10-week program that will be available February of 2024.  Email owl@uucy.org for registration information.
​
There will be a Mandatory In-Person/Child at UUCY Parent Orientation Meeting to review course materials
on SUNDAY JANUARY 21 in theUUCY Carriage House from 11:15-12:15.
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 owl@uucy.org.

Schedule

​Fifth and sixth grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (after service) from 11:15-12:30.
2/4 Sexuality and Values
2/11 Images in Popular Culture

2/25 Body Image
3/3 Changes of Puberty
3/10 Gender 

3/24 Feelings and Attractions
4/7 Reproduction and Health
4/14 Decisions and Actions
4/21 Consent & Peer Pressure
5/5 Healthy Relationships

8th/9th Grade Owl

This is a 25-week program that will run Fall of 2024 through Spring 2025.  Email owl@uucy.org for information on the next session.


​​Schedule

Eighth and ninth grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (during service) from 10:00-11:30. 
Week 1: What Is Sexuality?
Week 2: Examining Values
Week 3: The Language of Sexuality
Week 4: Anatomy and Physiology
Week 5: Concerns about Puberty
Week 6: Body Image
Week 7: Gender Identity
Week 8: Gender Expression/Roles
Week 9: Sexual Orientation
Week 10: Guest Panel
Week 11: Sexuality and Disability
Week 12: Healthy Relationships
Week 13: Relationship Skills
Week 14: Social Media & Internet
Week 15: Bullying and Bystanders
Week 16: Redefining Abstinence
Week 17: Lovemaking
Week 18: Consent Education
Week 19: STI's
Week 20: Pregnancy & Parenting
Week 21: Unintended Pregnancy
Week 22: Contraception/Safer Sex
Week 23: Sexual Decision Making
Week 24: Sexual Communication
Week 25: Celebration, and Closure​


​11th/12th Grade Owl

This OWL will run in the Spring of 2024; a Parent/Child Orientation will be scheduled at that time.  Email owl@uucy.org for information on the next session.

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 owl@uucy.org.

​Schedule

11th and 12th grade OWL meetings take place on Sunday mornings (during service) from 10:00-11:30.
Session 1: All About Our Bodies
Session 2: Care of Our Sexual Selves
Session 3: Making Safer Choices
Session 4: Sexual Development
Session 5: Becoming a Parent
Session 6: Expressions of Sexuality
Session 7: Communication

Session 8: Relationships/Intimacy
Session 8: Unhealthy Relationships
Session 9: Reproductive Rights

Session 10: Power and Control
Session 11: ​Social Issues-Equality

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.  Stay tuned for Adult OWL offerings this year or email us at owl@uucy.org 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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Gal Witmer, K-6 Grade OWL
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Bob Kruger, K-12 Grade OWL
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​Dianne Creagh, K-12 Grade OWL
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Helen Paglio, Adult OWL
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Kimberley Parsley, Adult OWL
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Don Emig, K-6 OWL
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​Mickey Horne, 7-12 Grade OWL
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Liz Gurnee, Adult OWL
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Eric Zeltmann, K-6 and Adult OWL
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​Janelle Mancuso, 7-12 and Adult OWL
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Joanne Walcerz, 7-12 and Adult OWL
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Karen McCraw, 7-12 Grade OWL
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Claire Gilbert, K-6 Grade OWL
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Zak Davies, 7-12 Grade OWL


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Meda Higa, K-6 Grade OWL
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Liz Wolfe, K-6 Grade OWL
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Greg Dwyer. Adult OWL

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Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York
925 South George Street, York, PA 17403

​
​​717-845-8212

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  • Join Us
    • First Time Visitors
    • Plan Your Visit
    • What Makes Us Different
    • Become a Member
  • About Us
    • Our Beliefs
    • Our Minister
    • Our Staff
    • More About Us >
      • Minister's Monthly Message
      • Leadership Board
      • Committees
      • Our Photo Gallery
      • Our Labyrinth
      • The Seven UU Principles
      • UUCY Covenant, Mission & Vision
      • UUCY History
      • Fellowship
      • Governance
  • WORSHIP & EVENTS
    • Upcoming Services
    • Past Services
    • Event Calendar
    • Rent This Space
    • Matters of the Heart
  • Religious Education
    • Article II Study Commission
    • Child/Youth Programs
    • Our Whole Lives
    • Registration
  • Social Justice
    • Overview
    • Share The Plate
    • Food Security
    • LGBTQIA+ Equality Team
    • Good Government Team
    • Racial Justice Team
    • Immigration Justice Team
    • Mental Health Justice
    • Community Collection Projects
    • Green Action Team
  • Giving
    • General Donation
    • Make a Pledge
    • How to Use Text Giving
    • Giant and Weis Gift Cards
    • Endowment
    • UUA Fair Share Contribution Guide