Dear Parent/Guardian:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that your child will be engaging in classroom lessons mandated by Florida legislation for the remainder of the school year in the following areas: mental health education, child trafficking education, and substance use and abuse prevention.
Mental Health State Mandate: “Tallahassee, Fla., July 16, 2019 – During the State Board of Education meeting, the Board voted to require school districts to annually provide a minimum of five hours of instruction to grades 6-12 students related to youth mental health awareness and assistance.” The instruction must include:
- Awareness of signs and symptoms;
- Process for getting or seeking help for themselves or others;
- Awareness of resources (i.e., Fortify Florida app and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255); and
- What to do or say to peers struggling with mental health disorders?
Implementation: 9th-12th grade students will receive this through English courses using the Everfi Mental Wellness Basics curriculum.
Child Trafficking State Mandate: “Tallahassee, Fla., September 30, 2019 – The State Board of Education unanimously approved a new rule requiring instruction in child trafficking prevention for students in grades K-12. With this approval, Florida will be the first state in the nation to address the need for instruction in child trafficking prevention. The new rule also establishes procedures for school districts to plan and document delivery of the required instruction.”
Implementation: 9th-12th grade students will receive the mandated education using the following methods: in HOPE and/or through the Safer, Smarter Teens program that will be delivered through classroom instruction with the school counselors.
Substance Use and Abuse State Mandate: “Tallahassee, Fla., August 21, 2019 –The State Board of Education is requiring the delivery of age appropriate substance use and abuse health education for students in grades K-12.”
Implementation: 9th -12th graders participated in Red Ribbon week in the fall semester and will take part in “Prom Promise” activities in April.
If you have any questions related to this letter, you may contact me at the school. For more information on the state mandates please visit: https://www.fldoe.org/
Sincerely,
Ric Mellin – Principal
