K-5th Grade Child Protection Curriculum
Teachers in Leander ISD utilize the Second Step curriculum to teach children important skills for getting along with others and doing well in school. It also helps our school be a safe and supportive place where everyone can learn.
To meet the required State of Texas Health TEKS for the instruction to prevent child abuse, Leander ISD counselors will utilize lessons from the Second Step Child Protection Curriculum. Senate Bill 9, passed in the special session of the 87th Legislature states:
Before a student may be provided with instruction relating to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and sex trafficking, a school district must obtain the written consent of the student's parent.
In order for students to participate in these lessons, parents must complete an opt-in form.
Second Step Child Protection Unit lessons will teach students three types of skills:
Personal Safety. Students will learn important safety rules, such as safety with guns, sharp tools, and fire, and when riding on wheels or in cars. They will also learn ways to help them decide if something is safe or not.
Touching Safety. Students will learn about safe, unsafe, and unwanted touches, and rules about touching private body parts. They’ll also learn to say no to unsafe or unwanted touches and to tell an adult if someone breaks rules about touching private body parts.
Assertiveness. These lessons will also give students a chance to practice asking an adult for help, telling an adult about an unsafe situation, and being assertive to get out of unsafe situations.
For the 2023-2024 school year, counselors will only teach lesson one in all grade levels. These lessons will be taught in May. Parent communication including the opt-in form will be sent through Remind in the month of April.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school counselor at tracy.mercer@leanderisd.org.