Board approves Victim Services lessons for K-3; nonprofit requests $500 donation and families may opt out

The Pottsgrove School District Board approved a contract with the Victim Services Center of Montgomery County to provide in-class lessons for students in kindergarten through third grade on boundary setting, appropriate touching and how to seek help.

According to the district presentation, the plan calls for one 45-minute lesson per classroom in the listed grades. District counselors and classroom teachers will be present during lessons and families will be notified in advance; parents may review the curriculum and opt their children out if they wish.

The vendor is a nonprofit that provides countywide advocacy and hotline services, the board was told. The organization asked the district for a $500 donation; the district presenter said that contribution would be used to support the nonprofit’s programs and services across Montgomery County. Board members said there is no other cost to the district for delivering the lessons.

One board speaker noted the program already operates in neighboring districts, including Boyertown, Spring-Ford and Phoenixville-area schools that cover Western Montgomery County. Board members expressed support for bringing the lessons to the elementary grades and asked about potential expansion to middle and high school in the future.

A motion to approve the contract and the requested donation carried on a voice vote; the board recorded the outcome as “aye” and the motion passed.