Winter 2024
Dear Parent or Guardian,
Here in Greece, we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all of our students. In accordance with Erin’s Law and the NYS Education Department (see information on reverse), all students in grades K-8 in New York State are required by law to receive instruction designed to prevent child exploitation and child sexual abuse. In order to foster a safe, supportive, and informed educational community, the School Counselors will be teaching lessons from the MBF Child Safety Matters® program from the Monique Burr Foundation for Children. The goal of the program is to help keep your child safe. These lessons will be conducted throughout the year, with a Winter and Spring session occuring.
The MBF program empowers children to recognize and respond to bullying, cyberbullying, child abuse, and digital dangers. Most importantly, it teaches that adults are responsible for their safety but there are things they can do to help adults keep them safe. The program is based on the latest research and has been reviewed and endorsed by national experts.
Why does your child need a safety program?
10% of children are abused before their 18th birthday
14% of children have been solicited online
22% of students have been bullied
73% of children under 17-years-old have viewed explicit material online
The MBF Program teaches about these dangers by:
using age-appropriate, easy to understand language.
playing fun games and activities.
providing take-home items to remind children and parents of the lessons and Safety Rules.
When children are taught safety information and rules to help them stay safe, they perform better in school and enjoy healthier, happier, and safer lives. You can learn more about the program and find additional resources, including information about being a Safe Adult, at www.mbfpreventioneducation.org. You can also download the “MBF Child Safety Matters” app at no cost from the App Store or Google Play.
If you have any questions about the curriculum, please contact your child’s school counselor using the information below.
Thank you for your continued support in helping to keep our children safe.
Sincerely,
What is “Erin’s Law”?
“Erin’s Law” is named after childhood sexual assault survivor, author, speaker, and activist Erin Merryn. Merryn is the founder and President of Erin’s Law. The legislation was introduced in Merryn’s home state of Illinois, and caught on nationwide.
“Erin’s Law” requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. In New York State, students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade will learn about age-appropriate techniques to recognize child sexual abuse and tell a trusted adult.
Why is it important that children receive this instruction in school?
Schools provide a safe place where children can learn what to do in unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations. Trusted adults will provide students with an opportunity to practice handling these situations so that if a young person is faced with an unsafe situation, the student will know what to do and will have practiced doing it. Students will identify trusted adults, both inside and outside of the school, and where they can go for help.
How will “Erin’s Law” be implemented?
In elementary school, the standards will be addressed through the school counseling curriculum for all students in grades K to 5. A letter for parents is attached to this document to inform parents about the lessons being delivered by the school counselor.
Are there resources parents can access to help them recognize warning signs and talk with their child(ren) about how to keep themselves safe?
Yes. The Erin’s Law website, (http://www.erinslaw.org/) has tips for parents about recognizing warning signs and what a parent should do if the parent learns/suspects that a child has been/is being sexually abused.
