Things are still happening in Parma, but just to recap:

• We have been trying for around 20 months to get into contact with "the" decision-maker for sex education policy/curriculum, all with little to no result. 
   
• After being directed from one person to another, and after reaching out to like a hundred people (not literally), we decided that we had exhausted all of our avenues of communication with the district.  There was simply nothing else we could do.
   
• So, we decided that our next step could only entail bringing this issue to the school board--and that's what we did.  Myself and a fellow advocated addressed the Parma School Board, not only blasting abstinence-only programming in the district, but also the lack of responsiblity in communicating with us.
   
• Needless to say, we've finnaly gotten some response.  And I can't help but thank all of the media attention we received, all of which perhaps encouraged the district to take us more seriously. 
   
• The Plain Dealer, National Public Radio, The Gay People's Chronicle, countless blogs and websites, and *gasp* The Advocate--all covered a story about two teens from Parma!

• We could not have asked for anything more.  Few people cared that the superintendent resigned at the same meeting we attended--they wanted to know about the two teens who talked pretty eloquently about sex ed.  It was amazing!
   
• From here, we secured a meeting with the superintendent, deputy superintendent, and direct of academic services (with whom we've already met, and was a waste of our time).  Mind you, these are three people that we tried tirelessly to communicate with for a long time.  It took a public forum for them to recognize and understand the seriousness of our young voices.
• This meeting was not exceptional.  In fact, we realized that we weren't exactly meeting with "the" decision-makers, as the superintendent explained that this issue was still a board matter.  In addition, we learned that the superintendent was not exactly well-versed in the matters of sex ed, and was perhaps sketchy on the difference between ab-only and comprehensive. 
  
• The superintendent made it clear the she needed community support to move forward with this issue, but that in them meantime she would speak with the board members in charge of this issue, and she was able to set up a meeting for all of us to discuss comp. sex ed.
   
• In addition, and as a result of our efforts, the superintendent told us that she is going to set up an internal review meeting to learn what exactly is being taught in terms of sex ed in the health classes.  We were thrilled to hear this because as of right now, the administration doesn't really know or have a whole lot of say in what teachers are doing.  After all, neither the district nor the state have standards mandated sex education, or health for that matter.
   
• So, to sum it all up: we're moving forward with our community outreach, especially since that is what our school district wants.  In addition, we have been reaching out and partnering with other organizations with similar goals to work together on this issue. 
   
• I will keep you posted after we meet with the school district and as we meet with community members!