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Thornton parent urges greater transparency after seventh-grade health lesson included graphic drug imagery
Summary
Parent Vita Malama told the board she filed an instructional materials complaint and FERPA and CORA requests after a seventh-grade health unit at STEM Lab School showed a video with depictions of cocaine, heroin and injection use that she says were not disclosed to parents; the superintendent offered follow-up and staff contacts.
Vita Malama, a parent in Adams 12 from Thornton, addressed the board during public comment to raise concerns about the district’s handling of seventh-grade health instructional materials at STEM Lab School.
"My concern is not with the subject matter itself, but with how instructional materials are selected, communicated, and made accessible to families," Malama said, and she described a video shown in a healthy decision-making unit titled "Let's Talk About Drugs" that, she said, included graphic imagery — references in her remarks included portrayals of cocaine and heroin use, drug preparation and injection, overdose imagery and drug…
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