What's New
U.S. Department of Education Asks School Leaders to Initiate New Efforts to Reduce Gender-Based Violence
The U.S. Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague letter to state school chiefs requesting immediate action to reduce gender-based violence in schools and to help ensure all students are safe. The letter and additional materials were released during a recent White House event on teen dating violence prevention, which was part of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and the Obama Administration’s efforts to raise awareness of gender-based violence. Click here for more information and resources including Gender-Based Violence Among School-Aged Youths: What Schools Can Do.
For information about Get Smart, Get Help, Get Safe, please see the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments.
U.S. Department of Education’s REMS Technical Assistance Center
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students (OSHS) Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center is currently undergoing some exciting changes to better serve your needs. We apologize for any inconvenience during this process; however, our comprehensive website will be available again shortly! Thank you for your patience.
For information and resources relating to school emergency plans, see Creating and Updating School Emergency Management Plans.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Toolkit to Help Prevent Suicide
Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools aims to assist high schools and school districts in designing and implementing strategies that prevent suicide and promote behavioral health.
Rhode Island Physical Education
RI General Laws, Chapters 08-254 & 08-463, state that by September 2012, school PE curricula must be aligned with the standards and performance indicators in The Rhode Island Physical Education Framework.
101 Tips for Teaching Nutrition Concepts in Physical Education
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and Fuel Up to Play 60 have teamed up to create 101 Tips for Teaching Nutrition Concepts in Physical Education. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a free in-school nutrition and physical activity program that encourages children to develop life-long healthy habits. Would you like to bring Fuel Up to Play 60 to your school? Click here to register your school.
RI Safe Schools Act: Statewide Bullying Policy
Effective June 30, 2012
The Statewide Bullying Policy, known as the Safe Schools Act, was promulgated pursuant to the authority set forth in §16-21-34 of the General Laws of Rhode Island. The purpose of the Policy is to ensure a consistent and unified statewide approach to the prohibition of bullying at school. Click here for a summary and frequently asked questions of the new RI Statewide Bullying Policy.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan Announces Re-launch of StopBullying.gov
Education Secretary Arne Duncan reflects on the past year of bullying prevention activities and encourages a shift from talking about bullying to taking action, as we all have a role to play in preventing and responding to bullying. Secretary Duncan announces the re-launch of StopBullying.gov, which features concrete steps for everyone to take.
National Sexuality Education Standards for Sexuality Education in Public Schools
Four leading health organizations released the first-ever national standards for sexuality education in schools. Published in the Journal of School Health, National Sexuality Education Standards: Core Content and Skills, K–12, provides guidance on core content for sexuality education that is developmentally and age-appropriate for students in grades kindergarten through grade 12.
The standards are the result of a cooperative effort by the American Association of Health Education, the American School Health Association, the National Education Association Health Information Network, and the Society of State Leaders of Health and Physical Education, in coordination with the Future of Sex Education (FoSE) Initiative. Nearly 40 stakeholders including content experts, medical and public health professionals, teachers, sexuality educators, and young people developed the standards in a two-year process.
Youth Pride, Inc. (YPI) Open House
Visit YPI's New Space!
January 30th, 2012
5:00 - 8:00 PM
Healthy Resolutions - Start 2012 with Healthy Resolutions.
Fall 2011
Rhode Island Youth Suicide Issue Brief
During 2005-2010, the Rhode Island Child Death Review Team reviewed deaths of 73 young people ages 0-24 who died in Rhode Island by suicide. The Rhode Island Youth Suicide Issue Brief is meant to serve as a centralized resource to better inform prevention efforts statewide.
Rhode Island Afterschool PLUS Alliance (RIASPA)
RIASPA 2011 Lights On Afterschool Breakfast of Champions featured keynote speaker Wes Moore, youth advocate and author of The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates - contrasting his childhood choices against another Wes Moore's who was eventually imprisoned. For additional information Wes Moore click here.
Rhode Island Youth Risk Behavior (YRBS) Disparities Report
The 2009 Rhode Island YRBS Disparities Report examines the rela-tionship between seven risk populations and a number of health-risk behaviors. The seven risk populations highlighted in this report include: low-performing students (‘D&F’ grades); females; minorities; bullied students; lesbian gay, bisexual, or unsure (LGBU) students; students who smoke; and, disabled students.
The following fall 2011 courses originally scheduled to be held October 3rd - November 6th have been CANCELLED for this session:
- HIV, STDs and Unintended Pregnancy (PDF)
- Teaching Abstinence in Comprehensive School Health Programs (PDF)
Please continue to check this site for new course dates. If you have registered for this session, we will contact you directly.
Spring/Summer 2011
Welcome to the newly updated thrive website! Browse the new thrive website and contact us with your thoughts, comments, etc.
Legislative Update
Student-Athlete Concussion Law Expanded
RI STATE HOUSE - Under the School and Youth Programs Concussion Act expansion (2011-H 5440A, 2011-S 0291A), which has been signed into law by the governor, coaches and volunteers will have to take a refresher training course each year. The expansion adds language encouraging school districts to require school nurses to take the course as well. Read more.....
Governor Chafee signs the Safe School Act
RI STATE HOUSE - The General Assembly approved and the governor has signed legislation – The Safe School Act. The new law (§16.21.33 and §16.21.34) directs the Department of Education to provide an age-appropriate model policy on bullying prevention to ensure a unified, statewide policy that follows Rhode Island General laws.
That policy, under the legislation, will include prohibitions against bullying, cyberbullying and retaliation; clear procedures for students, staff, parents, guardians and others to report bullying; procedures for responding to and investigating reports of bullying, and a range of disciplinary actions that may be taken against a perpetrator for bullying. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Beatrice A. Lanzi (D-Dist. 26, Cranston) and Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown).
Guide to Identify and Report Child Abuse in Schools
The Guide to Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse in the Schools has been updated for use by all school staff. Please note that all school personnel are responsible under the law to report child abuse and neglect or suspected child abuse and neglect. This guide provides information regarding responsibilities, roles, protocols and processes to support your efforts to address this important issue.
For additional information contact:
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RI Department of Education 401-222-8952 |
Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, Ed.D. RI Department of Education 401-222-8951 |
