Empowering God's Children OPT IN-OUT FORM

FOR GRADES 1-10

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In an effort to assist in the monumental mission of protecting children from abuse, the Archdiocese of Boston is partnering with you to present a safe environment lesson to your youth within their youth program. It is our cherished role as adults to fully protect children. In addition, we must also teach children about their safety rights and boundaries, so that they have tools to protect themselves.

This school year, your child will be presented with a program entitled Empowering God’s Children, in which Lesson Leaders present a safety lesson to children that houses a grade-appropriate video component along with a hands-on activity. The material is designed to better equip your child to know their rights, recognize their boundaries, and to empower them to protect themselves when safe adults are not immediately available—and ultimately be safer from people who might want to harm them. Youth will participate in Lesson 1 this year from the following lessons:

• Lesson 1:  Physical Boundaries: Safe and Unsafe Touching Rules
• Lesson 2:  Safe Adults, Safe Touches and Special Safe Adults
• Lesson 3:  Boundaries: You Have Rights!
• Lesson 4:  Secrets, Surprises and Promises
• Lesson 5:  Being a Safe Friend

As the primary educators of your children, parents and guardians are encouraged to review these materials ahead of time and discuss the information at home. If you have ever thought about how to empower children to protect themselves, fortify their boundaries or increase their safety through in-person and online situations, then reviewing the lessons on your own to both begin and reiterate the message at home is the best next step to take.

Thank you for your partnership with us to protect youth.

Sign In Information to view lessons:

• Go to www.VIRTUSonline.org
• On the left side log in with the following information:       
  • User Name:  Parent_Boston
  • Password:  EGCBoston1
  • When you get to the landing page, click on the ‘Educators’ tab at the top.  This will bring you to the lesson plans and information for Empowering God’s Children.