2011 8211
Instruction
SUBJECT: PREVENTION INSTRUCTION
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Instruction in Health Education
The Board will provide a health education program that will include appropriate instruction for all students concerning Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Accurate information concerning the nature of the disease, methods of transmission, and means of prevention will be provided in an age-appropriate manner and will be consistent with community values and will stress that abstinence is the most appropriate and effective premarital protection against AIDS.
A representative community advisory group consisting of appropriate school personnel, Board members, parents, religious representatives, and other community members will be established in order to make recommendations for curriculum content, implementation, and evaluation of an AIDS instructional program. Appropriate training will be provided for instructional staff.
No student will be required to receive instruction concerning the methods of prevention of AIDS if the parent or legal guardian has filed with the principal a written request that the student not participate in such instruction, with an assurance that the student will receive this instruction at home.
AIDS instruction in the elementary grades will be taught by the regular classroom teachers, while such instruction in the middle and high school grades will be a part of the required health education curriculum.
Substance Abuse – Prevention Instruction
The Board recognizes the need to educate students on the hazards of alcohol, tobacco and/or drug abuse. An educationally sequential health prevention program, utilizing as appropriate community, staff and student input, will be developed to inform students of:
- Causes for substance abuse;
- Physical and psychological damage associated with substance abuse;
- Avoidance of alcohol, tobacco and drugs;
- Dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Environmental Conservation Instruction
The Board supports and encourages the development of a District-wide, articulated curriculum of environmental conservation integrated into other program disciplines.
Fire and Arson Prevention/Injury Prevention/Life Safety Education
The Board directs the administration to provide instruction in fire and arson prevention, injury prevention and life safety education relating to protection against injury or death and property loss or damage as a result of criminally initiated or other preventable fire.
Such instruction will include materials to educate children on the dangers of falsely reporting a criminal incident, an impending explosion or fire emergency involving danger to life or property, an impending catastrophe, or a life safety emergency.
The Board directs the administration to provide such instruction for all students for a period of not less than 45 minutes in each month that school is in session.
Student Safety
Instruction in courses in technology education, science, home and career skills, health and safety, physical education, and art will include and emphasize safety and accident prevention.
Safety instruction will precede the use of materials and equipment by students in applicable units of work in the courses listed above, and instructors will teach and enforce all safety procedures relating to the particular courses. These will include the wearing of protective eye devices in appropriate activities.
Emergency Planning
The District will maintain updated plans and operating procedures to be followed in the event of natural or manmade disasters or enemy attack. Students will be provided instruction to respond effectively in emergency situations.
Instruction on Prevention of Child Abduction
All students in grades K through 8 in District schools will receive instruction designed to prevent the abduction of children. Such instruction will be provided by or under the direct supervision of regular classroom teachers and the Board will provide appropriate training and curriculum materials for the regular classroom teachers who provide such instruction. However, at the Board’s discretion, such instruction may be provided by any other public or private agency.
The Commissioner of Education will provide technical assistance to assist in the development of curricula for such courses of study which must be age appropriate and developed according to the needs and abilities of students at successive grade levels in order to provide awareness skills, information, self-confidence, and support to aid in the prevention of child abduction.
For purposes of developing such courses of study, the Board may establish local advisory councils or utilize the school-based shared decision making and planning committee established in accordance with the regulations of the Commissioner to make recommendations concerning the content and implementation of such courses. Alternatively, the District may utilize courses of instruction developed by consortia of school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, other school districts, or any other public or private agency. Such advisory council will consist of, but not be limited to, parents, school trustees and Board members, appropriate school personnel, business and community representatives, and law enforcement personnel having experience in the prevention of child abduction.
Instruction on Child Development and Parenting Skills
Instruction regarding child development and parenting skills may be offered by the District. The curriculum will include instruction on the consequences and prevention of shaken baby syndrome, which may include the viewing of a video presentation for students in secondary schools.
AIDS Instruction:
- 8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Sections 135.3(b)(2) and 135.3(c)(2)
Automated External Defibrillators:
- Education Law Section 804-d
Civil Preparedness:
- New York State Office of Disaster Preparedness
Fire and Arson/Injury Prevention/Life Safety:
- Education Law Section 808
- 8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Section 100.2(c)(5)
Prevention of Child Abduction:
- Education Law Section 803-a
Student Safety:
- Education Law Section 808
- 8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Sections 107 and 155
Substance Abuse:
- Education Law Section 804
- 8 New York Code of Rules and Regulations (NYCRR) Section 135.3(a)
- Instruction on Child Development and Parenting Skills
- Education Law Section 804(3)(6)
NOTE: Refer also to Policies:
- #3410 — Code of Conduct on School Property
- #5640 — Smoking/Tobacco Use
- #7320 — Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and Other Substances (Students)
- District Code of Conduct on School Property
Adopted: 8/24/11