A new curriculum aimed “to give children and teens the tools to recognize and combat abuse, prevent bullying and be respectful of others” is being rolled out in Worcester public schools at the start of this new school year, according to The Boston Globe.
“Sixteen percent of Massachusetts students report bullying, and LGBTQ youth experienced bullying at twice the rate of heterosexual youth. Many parents are concerned about their children’s safety. This curriculum is designed to give tools for children to recognize unsafe situations, to protect themselves, and to get help when they need it,” explained curriculum developer Megara Bell in the Globe story.
Reports the Globe:
“According to Bell’s presentation [in an online forum], topics covered in kindergarten through Grade 3 include: bullying prevention, respecting and celebrating diversity, sexual abuse prevention, sexual harassment prevention, boundaries, consent, personal safety, and ‘identifying and getting help from trusted adults.’ …
“Fourth grade through sixth grade students will also learn about bullying prevention, sexual abuse prevention, healthy relationships (primarily friendships), boundaries and personal safety, puberty, and gender stereotypes, Bell said.
“Many lessons in the curriculum focus on gender, especially in relation to bullying prevention because a lot of bullying at the elementary level centers on gender stereotypes, Bell said.
“‘I love this curriculum,’ Bell said. ‘I think it’s really well done. I think it is very accepting of where kids are at and it allows them to have their own values and to discuss them in a respectful way.'”
The curriculum for 7th–12th grade students had not yet been presented in another online forum focusing on older students at the time of the Globe report.
Read the complete Globe article here.
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