Also known as the SAVE Students Act, Ohio House Bill 123 requires annual suicide awareness and prevention, violence prevention, and social inclusion education for students in grades six through twelve. At least one hour of evidence-based programs and curriculums must be delivered to students annually.
Social Inclusion
Each September, Olentangy Schools participates in Start with Hello week. Start with Hello is a national program to help prevent social isolation, school violence, and self-harm. Students are educated and empowered to connect with one another, while promoting a sense of belonging.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Grade 6
Students in grade six health classes receive programming using materials adopted from Sandy Hook Promises' “Say Something-Suicide Prevention”.
Grade 6 Parent Notification & Lesson Plan Materials
Grades 7 & 9
Students in grades seven and nine participate in the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program. Olentangy School Social Workers along with Delaware County Helpline prevention educators deliver program materials over two days. Parents can elect to have their student complete an optional depression screener as part of programming.
Grades 7 & 9 Parent Notification & Optional Screener
Middle School & High School SOS Programming Materials
Grades 8, 10, 11, & 12
District School Social Workers and Mental Health Clinicians meet with eighth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade students for a one hour Signs of Suicide program refresher. Notifications about the program are communicated to parents through building newsletters.
Violence Prevention
Olentangy Schools encourages families to have important conversations about the significance of school safety and preventing violence, and shares Say Something Week, a week of celebrating the importance of trusted adults and upstanders in the school community. Say Something is a national program that teaches students to recognize the warning signs of someone at-risk of harming themselves or others and the importance of taking threats seriously and knowing how to see help or report concerns. Students can report dangerous, violent, threatening, harmful, or potentially harmful activity to a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, coach, counselor, school resource officer or use the district's Stay Safe.Speak Up!, anonymous reporting program.