Dear Parents,
The mission of the Mat-Su Borough School District is to “prepare all students for success.” In order to be
successful, students must be safe. Providing all students with information and skills on how to protect
themselves and seek help from abusive situations keeps students emotionally and physically safe.
To increase awareness and reduce the prevalence of sexual violence, Alaska has passed legislation called
the Alaska Safe Children’s Act or Erin’s and Bree’s Law.
AS 14.30.355 (Erin’s Law) requires that the governing body of each school district adopt and implement a policy, establish a training program for employees and students, and provide parental notices relating to
sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness and prevention for students enrolled in grades kindergarten
through twelve.
AS 14.30.356 (Bree’s Law) requires that the governing body of each school district adopt and implement
a policy, establish a training program for employees and students, and provide parental notices relating
to dating violence and abuse in grades seven through twelve. A training program adopted under this
section must emphasize prevention and awareness.
In 2015, the Alaska Office of Children’s Services investigated 1,272 reports of sexual abuse of children
perpetrated by members of the immediate or extended family.
In 2015, 1 in 10 high school students had been physically abused by their dating partner and 1 in 10 had
been sexually abused by their dating partner. (Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey)
MSBSD’s health curriculum addresses age appropriate personal safety lessons in grades Kindergarten
through ninth grade. In implementing the new laws, all grade levels will receive lessons on sexual abuse
awareness and prevention. In addition, seventh through twelfth grade students will have lessons taught
on healthy relationships, dating violence and prevention.
If you would like to review the curriculum click here and to review lessons for specific grade levels,
please contact your school.
Alaska childrens act
