April 25, 2025
Dear Anthony Wayne Junior High Families,
We are writing to inform you that the Foundation United SPEAK UP Program will be presented by school counselors this year to all 7th-grade students. SPEAK UP is an evidence-based program designed to heighten awareness of children’s safety skills, regarding dating violence and sexual abuse. This curriculum empowers children to implement safety strategies in a positive and age-appropriate way, emphasizing the importance of seeking help from trusted adults. The SPEAK UP Program meets updated legislation (SB 288) requiring all students to have abuse prevention education (Erin’s Law). Since the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio schools must provide developmentally appropriate instruction in dating violence and sexual violence prevention education to students in grades 7-12. SPEAK UP is approved by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Anthony Wayne Local Schools Board of Education.
A copy of our presentation is available on the Anthony Wayne Junior High website. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our programming at (419) 877-5342.
If you DO NOT wish your student to participate, please print and sign the attached letter, and return to the junior high office. (A physical copy of this letter will be sent home with students on Monday, fo those who do not have access to a printer.)
Sincerely,
Amy Barbour and Shauna Dunbar
School Counselors
Anthony Wayne Junior High