It’s no secret health reform is a contentious topic on the Hillltop these days. In response to this, AGSA led an open discussion surrounding the improvement of the Health curriculum on Nov. 4. Attendees proposed suggestions for the improvement of the curriculum with topics ranging from rape culture to mental illnesses.

With the help of Ms. Katherine Hannon, the Head of the Science Department, and Director of Community Wellbeing, Charles Colten, AGSA took charge in a student-led initiative to improve the Health curriculum. “It really came from the students. There was an AGSA meeting during the previous school year that evolved into a conversation about what they wanted to see in Hackley’s Health classes,” said Ms. Hannon. “I told the leaders, ‘If this is important to you, we should pursue this.’”  

Sexual education for both heterosexual and homosexual relationships is a major focus for AGSA, but there are other topics that the club wants added to the curriculum as well. Topics proposed by other students dealt with societal perceptions of virginity, rape culture and consent, mental health, and alcohol. “It’s important for us to learn about the rape culture and alcohol,” said freshman Amy Chalan. “We need to know about these for our future relationships.”

Students also voiced suggestions on the approach of health education, proposing outside speakers, an additional senior health workshop, and a gender/sexuality minor relating to health as an alternative or secondary option for students.

“I think it would be great to have minor courses on gender and sexuality,” said sophomore Beatrice McColl, “There are a number of people who don’t know about the different [gender] labels, or even the fact that there is a spectrum.”

Seniors Nina Bethel and Morgan Connor proposed speaking to individual peer advisory groups about topics often neglected in Health class. “It was a great place to bring awareness to the freshmen, so I think that would be a [good platform] to bring awareness to topics we don’t cover in Health classes,” said Nina.