Tooker Ave K-5 AIDS Instruction Letter

August 2026

Dear Parent/Guardian,

In accordance with the regulations of the Commissioner of Education for New York State, Tooker Avenue Elementary School will undertake appropriate instruction concerning infectious diseases including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Such instruction will be taught by the School Nurse Teacher. No child shall be required to receive instruction in prevention of AIDS at school. If necessary, alternative activities will be planned.

If you wish your child to be removed from instruction on the prevention of AIDS, please complete the form below and have your child return it to school by September 14, 2026. Unless you specifically request that your child not receive instruction in the prevention of AIDS and sign the commitment form to instruct your child at home, your child will receive appropriate instruction as scheduled.

Should you have any questions, please call Precious Bamowah at (631) 376-7620. For your convenience, a copy of the curriculum is on the back of this letter.

Sincerely,

Charles J. Germano

Principal

AIDS Instruction Opt-Out Form PDF English

AIDS Instruction Opt-Out Form PDF SPANISH

ELEMENTARY AIDS CURRICULUM TOPICS

Subject

Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

HIV/AIDS

Students will:

1. Differentiate between communicable and non-communicable disease.

2. Define communicable disease and discuss which are easy to get and hard to get.

Students will:

1. Discuss communicable diseases they have heard about.

2. Identify AIDS as a communicable disease.

3. Decide which identified diseases are easy/hard to get.

Students will:

1. Identify AIDS as a communicable disease that is difficult to contract.

2. Discuss good daily health practices.

3. Demonstrate rules of personal safety.

Students will:

1. Identify AIDS as a preventable disease.

2. Identify behaviors reducing the spread of disease.

3. Understand personal respect and safety.

4. Respect uniqueness in self and others.

Students will:

1. Understand causative agents for disease.

2. Identify AIDS as a communicable disease difficult to contract.

3. Discuss risk-reducing behaviors.

4. Recognize control over health behaviors.

Students will:

1. Discuss body defenses against disease.

2. Identify the chain of infection.

3. Discuss ways of breaking the chain of infection.

4. Understand AIDS is preventable, communicable, and difficult to contract.