Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio law requires schools to provide instruction in suicide prevention, violence prevention and social inclusion.
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Students in grades 6 through 12 to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of evidence-based instruction in suicide awareness and prevention;
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Students in grades 6 through 12 to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of instruction in safety training and violence prevention; and
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Students in grades 6 through 12 to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of evidence-based instruction in social inclusion.
Schools are required to use an approved, evidence-based program to meet these requirements. Instruction is to occur annually for students in grades 6 through 12. Our district will be using the Say Something: Prevent Suicide program from Sandy Hook Promise.
Ohio law also requires evidence-based programs in social inclusion to address the following:
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What social isolation is and how to identify it in others;
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What social inclusion is and the importance of establishing connections with peers;
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When and how to seek help for peers who may be socially isolated; and
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How to utilize strategies for more social inclusion in classrooms and the school
Our district will be using the Say Something and Start With Hello program from Sandy Hook Promise.
Parent/Guardian Excusal
Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student can be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention, sexual violence prevention and/or suicide awareness and prevention education by completing this opt-out form.
Erin’s Law: Senate Bill 288
Senate Bill 288 has recently altered Ohio Revised Code 3313.60 in regard to prescribed curriculum. More specifically Ohio Law, now requires that developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention and sexual violence prevention be included in schools' prescribed curriculum. Instruction and information provided cannot be connected in any way to any individual, entity or organization that provides, promotes, counsels or makes referrals for abortion, or abortion-related services.
Grades K-6:
Child sexual abuse prevention is required to be provided to students in grades K through 6. Instruction is to occur annually and include information on available counseling and resources for children who are sexually abused.
Grades 7-12:
Dating violence prevention education and sexual violence prevention education is required to be provided to students during health education in grades 7 through 12. Instruction must include recognizing dating violence warning signs and characteristics of healthy relationships.
Parent/Guardian Excusal
Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student can be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention, sexual violence prevention and/or suicide awareness and prevention education by completing this opt-out form
State Requirements for Instruction in Venereal Disease Education
In accordance with Ohio law, the District includes venereal disease education as part of the health curriculum. As outlined in Ohio Revised Code 3313.6011, venereal disease education must emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity is the only protection that is one hundred percent effective against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, and the sexual transmission of a virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. As a result, the course material and instruction must do all of the following:
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Stress that students should abstain from sexual activity until after marriage;
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Teach the potential physical, psychological, emotional, and social side effects of participating in sexual activity outside of marriage;
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Advise students of the laws pertaining to financial responsibilities and potential consequences for the child, the child's parents and society in the event of unintended pregnancy;
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Stress that sexually transmitted diseases are serious possible hazards of sexual activity;
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Advise students of the circumstances under which it is criminal to have sexual contact with a person under the age of sixteen pursuant to section 2907.04 of the Revised Code;
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Discuss options for unintended pregnancies with an emphasis on adoption.
School Districts have the option of offering additional instruction beyond what is listed above, and our District has chosen to do so by using the vendors and curricula listed below. In order for your student to receive this instruction, we require written permission from you as the parent/guardian.
PLEASE USE THE FORM BELOW TO GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR STUDENT TO RECEIVE THIS INSTRUCTION, OR TO EXCUSE YOUR STUDENT FROM THIS INSTRUCTION.
Parent Consent Form: Venereal Disease Education in GJPS Health Classes
