Board reviews teen dating‑violence toolkit, district plans awareness and staff training

Rockford Public Schools committee members heard a presentation on a district toolkit to address teen dating violence and promote healthy relationships, including planned February awareness activities and ongoing curriculum integration.

Jen Lawrence, a district staff member leading the initiative, described the toolkit’s four sections: realize (what teen dating violence is and the scale of the problem), recognize (warning signs), respond (recommended staff actions and reporting steps) and resist retraumatization (safety planning and minimizing harm). Lawrence said the rollout will include an awareness month in February with separate messaging for K–5 students and for middle/high-school teens, embedded Wayfinder (social-emotional) lessons for the remainder of the year and staff-facing training accessible through recorded modules.

Lawrence said community partners helped develop the toolkit and that the district will seek student feedback later via surveys once students are educated about the topic. She acknowledged the toolkit intentionally limits student involvement in this early phase so that students are prepared to respond safely in later feedback activities.

The presenter cited national research and noted the toolkit will point families to local resources. Board members praised the cross‑sector collaboration and said the toolkit’s language was both evidence‑based and accessible. The presentation included recognition of partners from the mayor’s office and the Family Peace Center who contributed to development.

Ending: The district said it will continue integrating healthy-relationship lessons into the Wayfinder curriculum and will make the toolkit and resource page available to staff and families. Officials said they will follow up with implementation details and subsequent student feedback opportunities.