Ohio’s 134th General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 288 which updated the prescribed curriculum for health education, adding requirements related to child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention and sexual violence prevention. The law also includes parent and legal guardian notification and training for school personnel.
Schools are now required to provide developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention to students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. This instruction is to occur annually and include information on available counseling and resources for children who are sexually abused.
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Sexual Violence Prevention Curriculum
SPEAK UP is the curriculum that has been chosen for Belpre High School and FightChildAbuse.org will be used in Belpre Elementary School. The chosen curriculum is compliant with Section 3313.60 of the Ohio Revised Code as well as one of the recommended curriculums evaluated by the State of Ohio. Instruction of this curriculum will take place during your students regularly scheduled class time. Under state law (ORC 3313.60), parents and legal guardians have the right to review the curriculum material related to child sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention. You may review curriculum materials directly by contacting your school's main office. Please note, you can view the presentations in their entirety in the email that included a copy of this notification letter.
You may exempt your child from participating in the district’s child sexual abuse prevention and sexual violence prevention education. If you DO NOT want your child to participate in the required education, you MUST complete the sheet attached and return it by Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 . If you choose to opt your child out of this instruction, your child’s teacher may assign alternative health lessons or activities unrelated to this topic. Your child will not be subject to any disciplinary action, academic penalty, or other sanction.