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Erie schools mark Child Abuse Prevention Month with pinwheels, staff and student programming
Summary
District staff outlined plans for Child Abuse Prevention Month activities including blue pinwheels at schools, parent resources from mental health specialists, and optional student 'lunch and learn' sessions on healthy boundaries at Collegiate Academy.
District staff described April activities for Child Abuse Prevention Month at the School District of the City of Erie during the April 9 board meeting.
Ms. Pickens, a district staff member, said the district campaign uses the national symbol — a blue pinwheel — and the national theme “Building a hopeful future together.” She told the board the district’s mental health specialists and behavior intervention specialists (BISs) will distribute information to families and staff and place pinwheels and signs at school sites.
Ms. Pickens highlighted three buildings as examples: Grover Cleveland Elementary will encourage staff and students to wear blue on Fridays and display pinwheels; East Middle School held building-wide activities and morning announcement reminders; and Collegiate Academy will host pinwheel displays and a staff presentation, plus a student “lunch and learn” on healthy boundaries led by the Crime Victim Center.
When Board member Ms. Devlin asked whether the Collegiate lunch-and-learn is optional, Ms. Pickens responded, “It is optional for the students so they can get their lunch and then they'll report to Room 119.” She also said mental health staff will provide short announcement-based reminders at some schools about topics such as body safety and boundaries.
Ms. Pickens said the district worked with the Children’s Advocacy Center on building-level outreach and that schools will supply pinwheels to board members before the meeting concluded. She introduced two students who assisted with distribution.
Board members asked clarifying questions about program scope and whether bullying falls under child‑abuse reporting; Ms. Pickens said the district maintains a separate anti-bullying campaign and that students can use the district’s Safe to Say reporting mechanism for safety concerns. No formal board action was taken.
The presentation covered outreach and awareness activities rather than policy changes or new reporting procedures. Ms. Pickens urged building-level staff to use the month’s activities to inform families about reporting channels and available supports.
