5350 - STUDENT HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
The Board of Education recognizes the importance of addressing the emotional and physical safety of students and staff in order to create and maintain safe and supportive learning environments. Comprehensive mental health and wellness initiatives are key to providing that students are in school, healthy, ready to learn, and prepared for success.
The District's comprehensive mental health and wellness initiatives will include supports and services that promote:
- Positive school climate;
- Social skills;
- Mental health and well-being;
- Support for students and staff; and
- Trauma-informed and restorative practices.
The District shall implement specific strategies to promote school safety, including student instruction, anonymous reporting systems, threat assessment teams, emergency management plans, and staff training.
In accordance with law, the Board will provide appropriate instruction to all students in grades Kindergarten through six (6) on the nutritive value of foods, the harmful effects of and legal restrictions on the use of drugs of abuse, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco, including electronic smoking devices. The Board shall also provide training on personal safety, sexual abuse prevention, and assault prevention to all students in grades Kindergarten through six (6).
The Board will also provide developmentally appropriate training for grades seven (7) through twelve (12) in dating violence prevention education and sexual violence prevention education. The training will include instruction in recognizing dating violence warning signs and characteristics of a healthy relationship.
Students will receive health education instruction that includes instruction about prescription opioid abuse and prevention. An emphasis will be placed on the prescription drug epidemic and the connection between prescription opioid abuse and addiction to other drugs, such as heroin. Instruction will also be provided on the process of making an anatomical gift, with an emphasis on the life-saving and life-enhancing effects of organ and tissue donation.
The District will include at least one (1) hour (or a standard class period) of evidence-based instruction for students in grades six (6) through twelve (12) in each of the following topics:
- suicide awareness and prevention;
- safety training and violence prevention; and
- social inclusion.
The Board shall use an approved, evidence-based program to meet these requirements. Instruction may be provided in health education or in another subject, during student assemblies, through digital learning, and homework assignments to satisfy the instruction requirement. Upon written request of a parent/guardian, a student will be excused from instruction in these areas.
All school personnel should be alert for students who exhibit signs of unusual mental health-related behavior or who threaten or attempt self-injury or suicide. Any such signs or the report of such signs from another student or staff member should be taken with the utmost seriousness.
Staff Training
In accordance with Policy 8462, mental health employees, counselors, teachers, administrators, school psychologists, school nurses, and other designated staff shall receive professional development training in accordance with the Board-adopted curriculum that includes the risk factors, warning signs, and resources regarding youth suicide awareness and prevention at least every two (2) years.
The Board shall adopt or adapt an evidence-based awareness and prevention curriculum approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce ("DEW"), or alternatively will utilize a suicide awareness and prevention curriculum that has been developed in consultation with public or private agencies/persons involved in youth suicide awareness and prevention and that has been approved by the DEW.
The Superintendent shall develop and implement administrative guidelines whereby members of the professional staff understand how to use an intervention procedure which includes the following:
Step 1 - Stabilization
Step 2 - Assessment of the Risk
Step 3 - Use of Appropriate Risk Procedure
Step 4 - Communication with Appropriate Parties
Step 5 - Follow-up
Throughout any intervention, it is essential that Board policies and District guidelines regarding confidentiality be observed at all times.
Revised 11/10/21
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