St. Joseph Parish

Protection of Children and Youth Initiative

The Parish Community of St. Joseph is committed to providing a safe environment for our young people. We believe strongly that it is the duty of all to protect our children and youth. During these past years, we have become more aware of the disturbing occurrence of physical and sexual abuse of children. It has claimed the attention of our nation, our society, and our Church. The church as a whole has responded to this situation by making every effort to increase awareness and protect our children.

St. Joseph’s believes that it is vitally important to take steps to ensure that our environment is safe so that we may provide a good experience for young people. We are providing adults and children with materials and information that will help ensure safety. Therefore, the next page highlights the several educational and informative opportunities for children, parents and guardians. These opportunities will help increase awareness and prevention of sexual or physical abuse.

Our Archdiocesan "Protecting Children and Youth Initiative" requires that all parents and children in parish formation programs attend these sessions. If you would like, you can request to opt out but you must complete a request to do so. While these events are required for families with children enrolled in Faith Formation, these events are useful for all families with children.

All parents and guardians of children and youth are welcome to attend any or all sessions. We ask that you pay careful attention to which are for adults only, as the subject matter may not be appropriate for children.

As a community we all know that awareness and understanding is the key to prevention. We must continue to educate and inform ourselves to ensure that all young people are safe and treated with the sacredness God intends.

Parent Opt Out Form

Upcoming PCYI Offerings at St. Joseph's

Sr. High (Grades 9 and 10)
contact Denise Walsh with questions

Grade 9 November 16, 2011 during regularly scheduled session
Grade 10 March 28, 2012 during regularly scheduled session

Key Concepts to be presented for Sr. High:

Identify the risk factors associated with sexual abuse
Developing a plan for responding to and supporting others in a crisis situation.
Learners will be provided with information and tools to identify and steer away from questionable and potentially dangerous situations.
Learn of the tools, resources, and guidance that are available to teens to create a safe space.
Discuss the importance of preventing sexual abuse.
Identify ways that young people can be role models for younger children and develop confidence in setting an example.

Grades 5, 6, 7, 8 Youth Only

These are classroom sessions that will be held during a regular Faith Formation session. ALL 5-8 graders of the parish are invited to attend. If you are not currently enrolled in Faith Formation but would like to attend please call the office so we can ensure all youth have a spot for the session.

Each grade level will have its own lesson based on 4 Key Concepts:

The right to know
The right to tell
The right to say no
The right to decide

Material that will be covered may include age appropriate situations dealing with:

Bullying
Harassment
Threats
Tricks and deception
Sexual and physical abuse
Keeping and telling secrets
Internet chat rooms

Grades 5-6 March 5 & 7, 2012 during regularly scheduled Elementary sessions
                                contact Jean Longendyke with questions

Grade 7                  November 16, 2011 during regularly scheduled session
Grade 8          March 28, 2012 during regularly scheduled session
contact Denise Walsh with questions

Grade 1- Grade 4 Children Only
Talking about Touching: A Personal Safety Curriculum. The curriculum builds on sessions taught in the Early Childhood Sunday Program (see below). Safety rules about talking to strangers, accepting gifts, safe touch, etc. will be taught and discussed. These are classroom sessions that will be held during a regular Faith Formation session. ALL children (Kindergarten through Grade 4) of the parish are invited to attend. If you are not currently enrolled in Faith Formation but would like to attend please call the office so we can ensure all youth have a spot for the session.

Grades 1-4 March 5 & 7, 2012 during regularly scheduled Elementary sessions
contact Jean Longendyke with questions

Age 3- Kindergarten - Early Childhood Sunday Program - Children Only
Talking about Touching: A Personal Safety Curriculum. This is a broad-based safety program which deals with many of the safety rules you are teaching at home and which are taught during preschool and Kindergarten classes as well – car safety, traffic safety, fire safety, etc. The matter of personal safety regarding touch is treated in the same manner. A few simple rules will be taught and discussed, so that children have a chance to learn the rules and to practice them in different situations. ALL children (Kindergarten through Grade 4) of the parish are invited to attend. If you are not currently enrolled in Faith Formation but would like to attend please call the office so we can ensure all youth have a spot for the session.

Rules covered include:

Always ask first (when going somewhere or accepting a gift)
"No" means no
Tell a grownup

                 Pre3-Kindergarten Sundays, November 20, 2011 and February 26, 2011 during regularly scheduled ECSP sessions
                                                  contact Chris Sauter with questions