Safe Environment Program

Safe Environment
Jesus with Kids










CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THIS SCHOOL
THE UNSEEN GUEST IN EVERY CLASSROOM
THE SILENT LISTENER TO EVERY LESSON

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Our Catholic tradition has always affirmed the dignity of the human person as created to the image and likeness of God. Every person with whom we come in contact deserves to be seen by us with the eyes of God. We know that ministry with children and youth, in particular, is a sacred trust. We, at Saint Denis-Saint Columba School are committed to preserve, at all times and in all places, this sacred trust which is rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ.

In 2002, the United States Bishops approved The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in an effort to protect children and youth from sexual abuse at all levels of church life and to restore trust in a Church scarred by the scandal of clergy sexual abuse. Article 12 of the Charter directs all dioceses to create programs and processes to teach children and youth about sexual abuse and its prevention. In the Archdiocese of New York, this training is integrated into the religious education program each year in all our schools and parishes.

Below are the lesson objectives for the age appropriate sexual abuse awareness training that is being integrated into religious education for each grade level (primary, middle and junior high):


Primary grades (K-3):
To help children distinguish the difference between good and bad (appropriate and inappropriate) touch. To affirm a child’s right to say no to an adult who makes them feel uncomfortable.
 
Middle Grades (4-6)
To help children recognize the lures used by those who sexually victimize children.
To give children strategies to keeping them from being tricked into uncomfortable and dangerous situations.

Junior High (7-8)
To help youth recognize lures used by those who sexually victimize others via the anonymity of the Internet. To give young teens skills to avoid being victimized by Internet sexual predators.
We thank you for your support and interest as we partner to give our children the safest possible environment to grow in faith, in our parish, school and in our homes.
Safe Environment