Special Parent Meeting: Keeping Our Students Safe

On Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in the Auditorium of the 4J Education Center (200 North Monroe Street) a group of parent educators will talk with parents and community members about efforts being made throughout the Eugene School District to keep our students safe.

The 2007 Oregon Legislature passed a bill — Senate Bill 379 — that requires all public school districts to provide education and training for all staff, students and parents related to child abuse prevention and compliance with the State of Oregon’s Mandated Reporting law.

The following topics will be discussed in the April 12 meeting:

1. What do current statistics suggest is the trend of child abuse reporting in our state and in the nation?
2. What does the approved 4J health curricula teach our students about their personal safety and the resources to whom they can turn when they experience themselves “at-risk” of harm?
3. What can adults (i.e., parents and educators) do to keep open lines of communication with children about child abuse and/or inappropriate behavior?
4. What are educators bound by Oregon law to do when they have reason to believe that child abuse may have happened?

Parent questions about this very important topic will be addressed at the meeting. Together parents and educators can work to make sure students feel safe at home and at school.