OUTLINE – Safe Environment Program Salt Lake / Amarillo

IV. COMMUNICATION

K-3 Communication CONCEPT (primary level – outline) III “God Gave Us Parents and Other Trusted Adults…” (Core) V “Families: Places We Can Communicate” (Core) VI “Secrets and Surprises” (Core) Families Share Feelings 4-5 Communication CONCEPT (upper level – outline) III “God Gave Us Parents and Other Trusted Adults…” (Core) V “Families: Places We Can Communicate” (Core)

VI “Secrets and Surprises” (Core) I Feel Statements Find the Hidden Phrase

6-12 Communication CONCEPT (upper level – outline) III “God Gave Us Parents and Other Trusted Adults…” (Core) V “Families: Places We Can Communicate” (Core)

VI “Secrets and Surprises” (Core) I Feel Statements

Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo

Safe Environment Training Program

Right Relationships Concept:

IV. COMMUNICATION

Primary Level

Grades K – 3

DIOCESE OF AMARILLO _________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Safe Environment Office

Greetings Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The Diocese of Amarillo has instituted the Safe Environment Program for Children and Young People titled: “Right Relationships” to all of our parishes, as part of Safe Environment curriculum in compliance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People”. Please note that no other Children/Minor Safe Environment program other than “Right Relationships” is authorized unless approved, in writing, by the Safe Environment Office. Any other programs, videos, handouts, etc. are not authorized and are to be disposed of accordingly. This program was developed by the Office of Safe Environment of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, who generously gave us permission to use this program. “Right Relationships" promotes and models safe environment principles and teaches children and minors to recognize and respond to relationships that are not "right." The Safe Environment Office is offering this program “Right Relationships” as part of our Safe Environment curriculum. Each year a new segment will be added to the curriculum to ensure minimal repetition of lessons and a broader approach to ensuring our children are in “Right Relationships” at all times and in all places. “Right Relationship’s” lesson plans are fairly easy to follow. The curriculum is interactive between the catechist and those students present. It requires following the lesson plan and specifically the designated “CORE” lesson and supplementing it with any additional lessons that might be therein. The “Right Relationship” lesson plans, segment I “Know the Rules” and segment II “Rules & Boundaries” were introduced for the Christian Formation year 2011-2012. For the year 2012-2013 we added segment III “Respect and Trust” and now for 2014-2015 we are introducing segment IV, “Communication”. This lesson plan can be used to supplement lesson segments I, II, and III or may be used as a standalone lesson. All lesson plans may be adapted to the particular circumstances of the classroom. Each program has the Spanish Language “CORE” component. Age and grade level appropriate materials, handouts, instructions, dialogue, etc., are available on the Amarillo Diocese’s website under the Safe Environment: www.amarillodiocese.org simply run copies of whatever forms are needed for your particular class. It is the Policy of the Diocese of Amarillo that every child and minor entered in diocesan/parish/catholic school programs attends Safe Environment Training annually. This must be documented on the “Student Attendance Sheet – Safe Environment Training” and the “Parish Training Report” and forwarded to the Safe Environment Office, 1800 North Spring Street, Amarillo, TX79107, by November 15th and supplemented with additional reports as needed by the parish to ensure full compliance. Parents who Opt-out must sign the Opt-out form. These parents will be provided with the age appropriate safe environment materials for their child and noted on the Opt-out form. The signed Opt-out forms will be sent with the parish Safe Environment Reports to the Diocesan Safe Environment Office. Thank you for your past participation in the Safe Environment Program and we ask for your continued support as we implement this curriculum in your parishes and schools. Dcn. Blaine Westlake Director of the Safe Environment Office, Diocese of Amarillo June 10, 2014

Diocese of Amarillo Aknowledgement Safe Environment ____________________________________________________________________________

Training Program Safe Environment Training Program Phone: (806) 383-2243

www.amarillodiocese.org

The Diocese of Amarillo gratefully acknowledges the Most Reverend John C. Wester and

Colleen Gudreau of the Archdiocese of Salt Lake City, for granting us permission to use

their “Right Relationships” Program.

Our appreciation is also extended to the Diocese of Grand Island (Elizabeth A. Heidt

Kozisek, Ph.D., Director, Child Protection Office) and the pre-Kindergarten lessons

developed by Sarah VanMaren that were used in the development of Right Relationships.

Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo

The Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is committed to the protection of children and Young people.

HOW TO REPORT NON-CHURCH

RELATED CHILD/SEXUAL ABUSE:

If you are a family member, a victim of

abuse, or aware of abuse, please contact the

following:

Children’s Protective Services

1-800-252-5400

Your Local Law Enforcement Agency

HOW TO REPORT POSSIBLE

CHURCH RELATED CHILD/SEXUAL

ABUSE: If you are a family member, a

victim of abuse, or aware of such abuse,

contact:

Children’s Protective Services

1-800-252-5400

Your Local Law Enforcement Agency

AND PLEASE CONTACT ONE OR

MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Victim Assistance Coordinator

Belinda Taylor

4200 Ridgecrest Drive Suite B-8

Amarillo, TX 79109

806-373-5232

Amarillo Diocese

Rev. John Valdez / Vicar of Clergy

806-358-2461 Monday-Friday

806-353-1016 Nights & Weekends

Mailing Address:

Safe Environment Office

Catholic Diocese of Amarillo

1800 North Spring St.

Amarillo, TX 79107

IV. COMMUNICATION

Right Relationships provides children and

young people with a foundation for

understanding that human relationships are

based on God’s unconditional love for us

and His desire for each of us to love one

another.

All right relationships are fostered by good communication founded in mutual respect. Good communication is usually learned in the family but as children grow older, they meet other adults they can trust. Children and young people should not keep secrets from their parents or other trusted adults, especially if the secrets involve things that make them feel weird, uncomfortable, worried, or scared.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Please see the Amarillo Diocese’s Safe

Environment Policy, Procedures, Programs,

Right Relationships, and other related Safe

Environment materials at:

www.amarillodiocese.org

Diocese of Amarillo IV. COMMUNICATION Safe Environment _________________________________________________________________________________

Training Program Grades K – 3 Phone: (806) 383-2243 www.amarillodiocese.org

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

To help students understand that God created people and wants them to have safe and

loving relationships.

To instill in students the realization that safe and loving relationships are fostered by

good communication.

To impress on the students that they should feel they can tell secrets to a trusted and

caring adult, ideally but not always, a parent.

To challenge the students to tell parents or other trusted adults if they are treated in a way

that makes them feel weird, uncomfortable, worried, or scared.

OUTLINE: I. Opening Prayer

II. God Made People to Need Each Other

III. God Gave Us Parents and Other Trusted Adults to Care for Us (Core)

IV. God Gave Humans Speech So We Can Communicate

V. Families: Places We Can Communicate (Core)

VI. Secrets and Surprises (Core)

VII. Closing Prayer

MATERIALS NEEDED: Whiteboard, chalkboard and chalk or flip chart and markers

Pens, pencils for class members

HANDOUTS: K – 3: “Families Share Feelings”

ACTIVITIES:

K – 3: “Secrets and Surprises”. For this activity, the teacher should write various

“surprises” and “secrets” on slips of paper to hand out to the class. Ensure there are more

surprises than secrets.

K – 3 “Families Share Feelings”: crayons, markers, or colored pencils

Diocese of Amarillo IV. COMMUNICATION Safe Environment _________________________________________________________________________________

Training Program Grades K – 3 Phone: (806) 383-2243 www.amarillodiocese.org

I. OPENING PRAYER (Psalm 139: 13-14)

In the + Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you, so

wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works, O Lord.” Amen.

In the + Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

II. GOD MADE PEOPLE TO NEED EACH OTHER

Discussion

Ask: “Have you ever seen a baby?

Can babies feed themselves?

Can they make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

Can they dress themselves?

Who has seen a baby wash her hands or give himself a bath?

How do babies get something to eat?

Who takes care of them?

Who keeps them safe?”

From this discussion, lead the children to understand that all people, but especially

children and young people, have needs that are met, usually by older people.

III. GOD GAVE US PARENTS AND OTHER TRUSTED ADULTS TO CARE FOR US (CORE)

Discussion

Ask the children to identify those adults who help them, such as parents and other

trusted adults, and to describe the different ways they help them.

Say: “Babies are born in need of care and protection. As we grow older we can do

more things. We need less help but we still need our parents and other trusted adults

to keep us safe and help us grow.”

IV. GOD GAVE HUMANS SPEECH SO WE CAN COMMUNICATE

Discussion

Say: “Most of God’s creatures communicate with each other in some way by the

sounds they make or the way they act.” Ask the children to identify some ways

animals communicate. Acceptable answers will vary such as ‘dogs by barking’, or

‘birds by chirping’, etc.

Ask: “How do humans communicate?” Emphasize that of all of God’s creatures, only

human beings were given the gift of speech.

Say: Human beings can talk to each other. We can tell each other if we are hurt and

need help. We can communicate, not only within our families, but with others as

well.”

V. FAMILIES: PLACES WE CAN COMMUNICATE (CORE)

Note to teachers: As you discuss families, be sensitive not to emphasize the value of one

configuration of family over another configuration.

Say: Some families are BIG with parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Some families are little: a parent or guardian and a child.

Regardless of size, one of the blessings of family is having someone we trust and feel

safe to share our feelings, interests, and activities.

This sharing is also important because it helps our parents and important adults in our

life protect and care for us.

As we grow older, we meet other trusted adults, such as teachers, youth or scout

leaders, coaches, friend’s parents. They also protect and care for us.

To keep us safe, our parents and other adults we trust need to know where we are,

who we are with, what is going on, and how we feel about what is happening in our

lives.”

VI. SECRETS AND SURPRISES (CORE)

Discussion

Ask: “Who likes surprises?” Acceptable answers will vary. Say: “Most everyone

enjoys a surprise.”

Ask: “What is the difference between a surprise and a secret?” After the children

have expressed their ideas, Say: “A surprise is something good that we wait to share

with someone later but a secret is something that we hide from others.”

Say: “It’s good to share surprises with our families but we should never keep secrets

from our parents or from other adults we trust about things that make us feel weird,

uncomfortable, worried or scared.”

Say: “If someone does something to us or to someone else that makes us feel weird,

uncomfortable, worried, or scared, we should continue telling trusted adults until one

of them understands how we feel and does something to make us feel comfortable or

safe.

Say: “God gave us adults we trust to love and care for us and to protect us from harm.

We can share everything with them.”

Activities

PreK - 3: “Secrets and Surprises” Game

Play like “Giant Step.” Establish a finish line. Depending on the number of

students in the class, either have all the children form a line and participate in the

game or, in larger classes, select some of the children to “play” and some of the

children to “draw” the slips of paper out of a basket. Slips are drawn for each

child, in turn. If it’s a “surprise”, the child takes a giant step forward. If it’s a

“secret”, the child takes a giant step backward. When the first child reaches the

“finish” line, the game is over.

Examples of Surprises: Planning a birthday party, buying a special gift, losing a

tooth, cleaning your room without being asked.

Examples of Secrets: Not telling your father you that you lost a library book; not

telling your parents where you were and who you were with; lying to your

parents; not telling a trusted adult when someone touches you in a way that makes

you feel weird or uncomfortable or when someone hurts you or threatens to hurt

you.

PreK – 3: “Families Share Feelings”

Hand out “Families Share Feelings.” Have the children circle the HAPPY people

in YELLOW; the SCARED people in ORANGE; the SAD people in BLUE; the

ANGRY people in RED; the WORRIED people in PURPLE. Discuss.

VII. CLOSING PRAYER

Pray a litany of thanks for all God’s people using the response: “Bless them; we are

grateful.”

Father, your Spirit speaks to us through your Word to tell us how much you love us and

want us to be happy. Please give us the courage to share our feelings with people we

trust.

In the + Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Diocese of Amarillo IV. COMMUNICATION Safe Environment _________________________________________________________________________________

Training Program Grades K – 3 Phone: (806) 383-2243 www.amarillodiocese.org

Families Share Feelings

Directions:

Circle the HAPPY people in YELLOW. Circle the SCARED people in ORANGE.

Circle the SAD people in BLUE. Circle the ANGRY people RED.

Circle the WORRIED people in PURPLE.