Hello Hoover Families,
Again this year, we will be implementing a child sexual abuse prevention program in our schools as a result of the passage of Public Act 097-1147, also known as Erin’s Law, which requires child sexual abuse prevention education for children beginning in pre-kindergarten and continuing through all grade levels.
To ensure we are providing the highest standard of education on this important topic, District 54 has officially adopted the new curriculum created by the Erin's Law Foundation to replace our previous materials starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This modernized, comprehensive program is designed to give students the knowledge and skills they need to protect themselves through active, engaging lessons.
The lessons at each grade level will be taught during regular class time by our school social workers and/or school psychologists, with the classroom teacher present. For elementary students, the lessons will last approximately 30 minutes and will be completed starting next week. You will receive communication from your child's teacher regarding the specific date of this lesson. Junior high lessons will occur throughout the year during health classes, guided by our mental health professionals to ensure appropriate and safe discussions. For more information regarding Erin’s Law, please refer to their website: https://www.erinslawfoundation.org/
Our newly adopted curriculum transitions students from general safety directly into personal body safety by focusing on three unified, easy-to-remember rules:
My body belongs to me, and I am the boss of my body.
Body secrets are never okay.
Always tell a trusted adult if someone doesn't respect your boundaries, and trust your "gut feeling" if a situation feels uncomfortable.
National statistics tell us that one in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused at some point in their lives. We want to do all that we can, in partnership with you, to make our children as safe as possible. For more information, please refer to the ISBE Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Resource Guide in your handbook.
If you have any questions or concerns about the new curriculum or the schedule, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Alissa Carey
Principal