Parents and guardians,
Ohio's 133rd General Assembly enacted House Bill 123, the "Safety and Violence Education Students (SAVE Students) Act," regarding school security and youth suicide awareness education and training. The state legislation calls for a comprehensive approach to school safety involving the Ohio Department of Education, Public Safety, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Attorney General’s Office.
The law requires the following for school districts:
- Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, in grades 6 through 12, and continuing each subsequent year, schools must include at least three hours total (or three standard class periods) per school year of evidence-based instruction in each of the following topics:
- Suicide awareness and prevention.
- Safety training and violence prevention.
- Social inclusion.
- Each school district must use a training program approved by the Ohio Department of Education.
- Upon receiving the written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student shall be excused from taking instruction in suicide prevention, violence prevention, and social inclusion.
High school students will receive suicide awareness and prevention training using Erika’s Light House materials, including Level III: Depression Education & Suicide Awareness (Grades 8-12). Freshmen will receive the instruction in their Modern History class on Nov 20th, Sophomores will receive instruction on Nov. 27th, and juniors will receive instruction in their Goverment class on Nov 28th. Please contact Mrs. Ahrens by email at hollie.ahrens@vtigers.org by November 16th if you want your child to be excused from SAVE Act instruction.
Sincerely,
Hollie Ahrens
Versailles High School Counselor