Personal Safety Lessons in Counseling

Dear Families:

We hope you are doing well and enjoying the new year. In October Graded hosted a parent coffee to discuss our school's child protection policy. At this presentation, we shared that the school counselors would be delivering lessons on personal safety to all students in grades 1-12. These lessons will be beginning in the upcoming weeks before Carnival.

The lessons are from the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) Child Protection Program. They are research-based, developmentally appropriate lessons designed specifically for the needs of students in international schools. The lessons will cover age-appropriate information about personal safety, being assertive, and talking with safe adults. These lessons will be delivered during regularly scheduled counseling classes by Ms. Bobbie Neubern (grades 1 & 2) and Ms. Heidi Pierce (grades 3-5).

The curriculum will cover:

• Safe touch(es)
• Unsafe touch(es)
• Unwanted touch(es)
• Saying "no" and other safety steps
• Reporting to a trusted adult

These concepts are covered in a manner that allows for depth of understanding and content to increase as students advance through the grades. The information that is taught to your child will meet the developmental needs of your child's age group to keep them informed and safe.

At Graded we realize that this curriculum is just a piece of what we all need to do to keep children safe. Research shows that young children retain skills when they are practiced and reinforced at home. Therefore, please help your child review her/his learning by asking questions at home and reminding your child about safety choices.

If you have questions or would like further information please contact your counselor at bobbie.neubern@graded.br or heidi.pierce@graded.br or by phone. We thank you for the continued support to keep Graded students safe both inside and outside the school setting.

Be well.

Ms. Heidi and Ms. Bobbie