Graphic AIDS book draws parents' ire

Boston Herald ^ | Tuesday, May 3, 2005 | Kevin Rothstein

[A. Pole]

A lesson in AIDS/HIV has a Saugus family seeing red after their second-grader took home an explicit workbook noting that "semen" and "vaginal secretions" spread the disease.

The Saugus case is the second time in a week parents have complained that schools are giving young kids more than they need to know on sensitive issues. Paul Stamatopoulos came forward after hearing of a Lexington father who was arrested after he complained when his kindergartener brought home a book that dealt with gay marriage.

Stamatopoulos was dumbfounded when his 7-year-old daughter showed him what she called the "sad book."

"I took it away from her. I was shocked," he said.

Along with information on the history of AIDS and the benefits of hand-washing, the booklet told kids HIV is "spread by the exchange of infected body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretion)."

Stamatopoulos and his wife Diana said they weren't initially opposed to AIDS education. But they said they had no idea the information would be so graphic.

The state Department of Education leaves sex education up to local districts, though a state law requires parental notification when classes are held, a DOE spokeswoman said.

"I was told these are facts. I said `We know, but at that age, there are facts about the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Do we tell our children those facts?" Stamatopoulos said.

Saugus Superintendent Keith R. Manville said the booklet was approved by the School Committee "a long time ago." He plans to meet with Stamatopoulos tomorrow, and said he might recommend altering the book.

"I think some of the examples are a little tough for a 7-year-old," Manville said.


Paul Stamatopoulos with the booklet his 2nd grade daughter brought home from school.(Staff photo by Nancy Lane)

[longtermmemmory]

These are seven year old children.

Unless it is a GLSEN lecture of reducing the age of consent, there is no reason for sex demonstrations. That would be a lecture for molestation prevention.

For a seven year old, it would be a generic germ and sanitation type lesson. Wash hands, etc.

[ethical]

you are joking?

[longtermmemmory]

Mass will respond to the concerns of the fathers immediatly by outlawing fatherhood and fathers near any public schools.

only single mothers who are registered democrats will be allowed near or on schools. married women and republican women are not enlightened enough.

[Kelly_2000]

"Wash hands,",

Wash hands? HIV is not transmitted by shaking hands or touching surfaces

[cinives]

If more people took their kids out of these schools, more people would refuse to pay for the inferior quality of many public schools, and something might actually get done about it.

Something effective - something other than more money thrown down the rathole.

[longtermmemmory]

which is why I said germ sanitation and included the "etc."

seven year olds should be woried about homsoexual sex, hetersexual sex, or ANY sex.

Absent a arksas blood tranfusion or rape there should be NO reason for a seven year old to be having an HIV concern.

[stuartcr]

Those aren't really the same. As you said, it really is a sexually transmitted disease, why question this?

[Dallas59]

No. My Father married a school teacher 20 some odd years ago. She taught grade school. You would be suprised even then what kids did with each other.

[sgtbono2002]

The people who really need to read books like this are the 5th graders who cant read. What a school system.

What the hell does a 2nd grader know about blood , semen and vaginal secretions.. Why worry about vaginal secretions when its anal secretions and injections that are causing Aids for the main part?

Teach all the boys Vaginal secretions ,Good, Anal injections bad. See how the fags like that.

[Dallas59]

...and it wasn't the "Let me see yours and then you can look at mine" stuff either.

[stuartcr]

What does GLSEN mean?

I agree, that it is too young to discuss this disease. Are these kids taught about other communicable diseases at this age? If so, then it is probably appropriate, not if this is the only disease that is discussed though.

[Dallas59]

"What the hell does a 2nd grader know about blood , semen and vaginal secretions.."

Watch some of that RAP crap on MTV...

[tiredoflaundry]

*shakes head*

[savedbygrace]

If that's the case, it's evidence that the sex-ed platform in government schools doesn't deter kids from having sex.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

Wash hands? HIV is not transmitted by shaking hands or touching surfaces

I'm just guessing here, but I think the entire passage reads: "Washing your hands after engaging in perverted sex will prevent your HIV-infected partner from getting a cold."

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

"Note to self: Add Mass. to the list of states not to enter for any reason."

Add New Jersey as well. My niece is in 3rd grade and they sent home a letter to parents telling them that AIDS education was going to be conducted in the Health class for 3rd graders during the final semester. They say it will be age appropriate. How do you make this subject age appropriate for a 9 year old?

[Mathews]

Ya know what really gets on my nerves? T.V. pharmaceutical commercials that list side effects such as "an erection lasting more than four hours... vaginal bleeding or symptoms similar to a yeast infection... etc" I'd think that stuff would be kept in the Doc's office, ya know?

[kx9088]

Unfortunately, we have to drive through New Jersey to get to A.C. and a few restaurants we like to go to also.

It doesn't help that we also live 5 minutes from Jersey.

But, I do make sure our time in the arm pit of America is as minimal as possible :D

[sgtbono2002]

No Thank You, I would rather my nuts in a vice.

[sgtbono2002]

If the teacher is a homosexual pedophile it shouldnt be too hard. Pun intended.