November 8, 2024
As a result of Public Act 96-1524, all Illinois public schools are required to provide age appropriate school-based curriculum to educate our students on child sexual abuse (CSA). This law, often referred to as Erin’s Law, is an effort to prevent CSA and equip our students on how to best protect themselves if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. The Bethalto School District is working with the Madison County Child Advocacy Center to educate our students on this important topic.
Your child will participate in parts of the Safer, Smarter, Kids/Teens abuse prevention curriculum. Here is an outline of topics that may be covered in the educational presentations that will be discussed on an age-appropriate level:
Grades K-3: Listening to your “guiding voice” and telling a trusted adult when a situation makes you feel confused or uncomfortable, body boundaries, respecting self and others, the difference between safe and unsafe secrets, and additionally for 3rd grade digital safety
Grades 4-5: Using your voice and courage to tell a trusted adult in your Safety NETwork when a situation makes you feel confused or uncomfortable and 4th grade: body boundaries and respecting self and others; and 5th grade: peer pressure and cyber safety
Grades 6-8: Self-esteem and personal power, using think, feel, and act, grooming behaviors, A.C.T. (ask, care, tell), and cyber safety
Grades 9-12: Personal rights and responsibilities, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, dating violence and harassment, social media, and grooming behaviors
Your child’s teacher will be present during the presentations. If you would like to learn more about the curriculum or review the parent toolkits to learn more about the topics covered in the curriculum, please visit www.safersmarterkids.org. Please contact your child’s building principal/administrator if you do not wish for your child to attend or have further questions.
Presentations for Civic Memorial will be on Wednesday, December, 11.