Our Whole 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 program.

Grade 8/9 OWL Program (2023.2024)

Note: The original schedule published for this year’s program has been changed and the start of the program is delayed until December.

Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education • GRADES 8 & 9
with certified OWL facilitators Kashawna Harling, Danny Aquiar, and Ralph Long

• Sundays, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Mandatory Parent Orientation – Sunday, December 03 (6:30 – 8:30 pm); 
• 18 Youth Sessions – Sundays – December, 2023 through May, 2024 (most sessions run from 6:30 – 8;30 pm, with some longer sessions beginning at 4:30 – see detailed schedule);
• in the event of any class cancellations, two potential make-up dates are scheduled May 26 – June 2, 2024;
• 2024.02.26 OWL Grade 8.9 Schedule – Updated Schedule
• OWL 8/9 – Topics that will be covered
• In-person (Medford)

Limited to 16 Youth, grades 8 or 9 (2023/2024 school year); we will seek to create a gender-diverse class.

Sanctuary UCC and Hillside Community Church are proud to offer to the wider community Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive sexuality education class for 8th and 9th graders. The program equips teens of all genders with accurate, age-appropriate information and skills to help them lead sexually healthy, positive, and responsible lives. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, OWL addresses a wide range of topics including body image, relationships, social media/internet, sexual orientation, gender identity, sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives, pornography, and cultural influences on sexuality. Through engaging activities and discussions, OWL helps teens to clarify their own values and to build their interpersonal skills. Our Whole Lives is used nationwide in a variety of community settings including schools, youth-serving agencies, and faith-based communities. Although developed by two progressive, faith-based organizations (UCC and UU denominations), OWL is secular in content and contains no religious doctrine*. 

Students’ registration requires the following:

• attendance at mandatory parent orientation meeting on Sunday, December 03,  6:30 to 8:30pm (Online)
• receipt of parent approval form following orientation (refunds will be provided should your family decide this is not the program for you)
• Payment or payment arrangements

We ask that students commit to attending the full 18-session program.

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Location: Hillside Community Church (lower level) ; 144 North Street, Medford, MA  02155

Registration: $630.00 for (18) two-hour session series; materials fee ($15.00 per per person)

Scholarships and payment arrangements are available on the registration form or contact Rev. Wendy (below)

We seek to create a gender-diverse class. After your payment is received or payment arrangement is made, you will be notified of your child’s spot in either the class or a waitlist. Full refunds will be made through December 5, 2023 if, following the orientation, your family determines not to proceed.

Register Here: Link to Grade 8/9 Registration/Payment Portal

Schedule: Grade 8.9 OWL Schedule/Calendar (2024.02.26 Update) including make-up dates for snow and/or COVID delays

Contact: Rev. Wendy Miller Olapade: Wendy@SanctuaryUCC.org; Rev. Thomas Hathaway: pastor@hillsidemedford.org 

COVID Protocols: We will practice the guidelines for in-person meetings that the Department of Education has recommended for schools including masks, cleaning practices, air circulation/exchange, and no shared food. 

Session Postponement due to Snow or COVID: If weather and/or a shutdown of the local school(s) by the health department affects any of our meeting dates we will not move to virtual sessions (given the nature of the program). If we need to pause the schedule/program it is our plan to return to gathering when we can do so safely, and complete the sessions in the spring. We currently have three make up sessions noted on the schedule.

*The content of the program is based on 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 Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.

Meet Our Facilitators