Citywide OWL

citywideowl-V (1)What is OWL?

(from www.uua.org)

Our Whole Lives is a series of sexuality education curricula for six age groups: grades K-1, grades 4-6, grades 7-9, grades 10-12, young adults (ages 18-35), and adults.

Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, Our Whole Lives not only provides facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps participants clarify their values, build interpersonal skills, and understand the spiritual, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality.

Read more about OWL here.

Why is the program citywide?

UU congregations in the Indianapolis area have not been able to offer the full range of OWL curricula on a regular basis.  By working together we can offer the OWL program to all Indianapolis-area UU congregations so children from each age group will be able to go through the program at the appropriate time, with their peers.

How does a citywide program work?

Having a citywide program means that we will be able to pool our resources.  Classes will rotate between churches and facilitators can be drawn from any congregation. (Please note that all citywide OWL facilitators have been trained through a program approved by the UUA and parents will always meet the facilitators before classes begin).

Who is involved?

A small team of members from several Indianapolis area congregations has formed a committee to oversee the process.  The initiative is modeled after a similar program in Cincinnati that has enjoyed huge success over the past eleven (11) years.

As of January 2015, we have held two facilitator trainings, one that was attended by people from all over the country and one to train local members who could not attend the larger training.  Our first OWL class, Junior High Grades 7 – 9 was held in the Spring of 2015.  See the schedule below for upcoming classes.

The Citywide OWL team includes members from the following churches.  These are also the churches participating in the citywide initiative and where classes will be held on a rotating basis:

  • Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis
  • Oaklandon Unitarian Universalist Church
  • Heartland Unitarian Universalist Church
  • Sacred Path Church, Unitarian Universalist
  • Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Hendricks County*

*UUCCHC will have limited participation due to distance.

Who will facilitate the OWL classes?

All facilitators must be recommended by a UU Congregational Minister, Board President or Director of Religious Education.  The facilitator must have completed OWL training by a certified instructor, this will be confirmed through the national training group as all certified instructors must be registered on this list.  The facilitator must also have a current background check.

Citywide OWL Class Schedule

2016

  • Elementary grades 4th – 6th (DONE)
  • Elementary grades Kindergarten & 1st (Classes starting September 18, 2016)

2017

  • Junior High grades 7th – 9th (Spring)
  • Senior High grades 10th – 12th (Fall)

2018

  • Elementary grades 4th – 6th (Spring)
  • Elementary grades 1st & 2nd (Fall)

2019

  • Junior High grades 7th – 9th (Spring)
  • Senior High grades 10th – 12th (Fall)