As part of House Bill 123, enacted by Ohio’s 133rd General Assembly, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio law requires the board of education of each city, exempted village, and local school district and the board of each cooperative education school districts, along with chartered nonpublic schools,  to provide health education instruction in suicide prevention, violence prevention and social inclusion. This legislation is now known as the Safety and Violence Education (SAVE) Students Act.

• 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;

• 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

• 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. If health education is not offered annually for each grade, the instruction may be provided in another subject. By written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in these topics. For more information on the Ohio Department of Education’s requirements, visit their website: Suicide Prevention, Violence Prevention, Social Inclusion and School Safety Requirements | Ohio Department of Education and Workforce 

Junior/Senior High School Students in grades 7th-12th will receive this instruction on the following dates:

• Monday, February 5th, 2024 - Violence Prevention

• Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 - Suicide Awareness and Prevention

• Friday, February 9th, 2024 - Social Inclusion 

This education will be provided through a nationally known organization called Sandy Hook Promise. To learn more about this organization, visit their website here. If you would like access to the specific curriculum that the district will be using, please complete the request form here. The curriculum that we will be using consists of a video on each topic, that is approximately 20-30 minutes long. Each video is paired with a student workbook that the students will complete simultaneously, while watching the videos. Brief discussions will take place at the conclusion of each lesson. 

If you would like to opt your child out from receiving this curriculum, please refer to our Opt-Out Form, complete a paper copy in the high school office, or email maria.wolfe@gtown.k12.oh.us. All students that opt out will gather in the Student Center for the duration of this instruction taking place.  

** The dates that 6th grade students will receive this instruction is to be determined. **