Puberty parent letter.pdf - Town of Hull

April 13, 2010
Dear Parents,
The Hull Public Schools will be presenting a Puberty Education Program for 5 th grade
students and their parents. This program is presented over the course of two evenings.
The first evening is for parents only. During this time parents will learn what kinds of
questions fifth graders ask about puberty and sex and how to comfortably discuss these
questions. The second evening is for both parents and their child. During this second
presentation parents and children will view a film and have facilitated discussion about
the developmental changes that occur during puberty.
The program will be run at the Memorial Middle School to allow students and parents
the opportunity to preview their school for next year. The schedule for the 2 nights is as
follows:
May 6 th Thursday 7:00 p.m. Parents Only Memorial Middle
School
May 13 th Thursday 7:00 p.m. Boys & Parents Memorial Middle
School
May 13 th Thursday 8:00 p.m. Girls & Parents Memorial Middle
School
Dr. Maryclaire Gerety, a psychologist specializing in adolescence who has been teaching
about puberty for 34 years, along with Anya Sherman and Philipa Young, our school
psychologists, and Rebecca MacDonald, our adjustment counselor, will be on hand to
facilitate the discussions.
Our hope is that parents and children will be able to discuss the important and often
embarrassing topic of sexuality, not only at our presentation, but throughout their lives.
Throughout children’s lives parents are the most valuable resource for providing
information and imparting family and religious values. Students are bombarded daily
with media messages about sex and benefit from a strong parental voice as a balance.
Please complete the attached page and return it to the school by Friday April 16, 2010
whether you intend to come or not so that we know that you read the letter. Thank you
very much and please do not hesitate to call with any questions.
Sincerely,

Donna Tobin