Protecting God's Children

Virtus - Protecting God's Children Program
 

For Religious Education Parents:

Our Religious Education program is using "Talking About Touching" for Grades 1 to 5 as mandated by the Archdiocese of Boston. These programs teach children skills that will help keep them safe from dangerous or abusive situations. Children also learn to ask for help when they need it. These safety strategies will be taught in the context of God our Creator loving us and wanting each one of us to be safe and care for one another.

Parents will receive an email before the start of the first safety lesson. Parents can choose to opt out of this program by submitting an Opt Out Form which will be kept on file at the Religious Education Office.

We have available the "What Do I Say Now: How to Help Protect Your Child from Sexual Abuse" video. This video was produced for parents and guardians to help empower their children to be safe. We do not show this video to the students, but it is available for loan at the Religious Education Office if you would like to use it with your children. 

 

For Teachers & Volunteers:

Here at St. Mary's and St. Helen's, we take seriously our role and responsibility to keep all of God's children safe. As mandated by the Archdiocese of Boston, we require all employees and volunteers to do the following:

• Complete a CORI form each year as mandated by the Archdiocese of Boston, Child Advocacy Office (Fiscal year for the Archdiocese is July 1 - June 30).

• Agree to and sign the Archdiocesan Code of Conduct.

• Participate in the Protecting God's Children/Virtus training. The training is offered in our collaborative each fall and spring, as well as throughout the Archdiocese all year. Click here for a full Virtus/Protecting God's Children Training Schedule (select Boston Archdiocese).