Safe Touch Education Program

A MESSAGE FROM THE MOST REVERAND EDWARD M. RICE

Dear parents and guardians.........

For the past several years, we in the Catholic Church have gone to extraordinary measures to try and ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the children you have entrusted to our care.

As most of you know, in our Archdiocese, any adult who works or volunteers around children in a Catholic-affiliated program has to attend a Protecting God’s Children workshop, undergo a background check, and sign the Code of Ethical Conduct for Clergy, Employees and Volunteers Working with Minors. Through this threefold approach of education, screening, and commitment, we are providing a safer environment for our children than ever before in our history.

Although we adults are primarily responsible for the safety of our children, we know there are simple, practical suggestions we can offer to children that can help them keep themselves safe.

This year we again will present a one-session Safe Touch program to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. It will be taught by a trained lead teacher, and it will be a gentle, non-threatening presentation on personal safety. The program is taught in the context of our Catholic values, and it should serve as important reinforcement to the information I know you share with your children at home.

If you have any questions about this program, feel free to contact your principal or PSR coordinator. You will have a chance to review the material before your child’s program is offered. You do have the right to opt your child out of the session, but I would encourage you to review the materials before you make that decision.

Devotedly yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Edward M. Rice