PERRYSBURG — The school district received financial support to continue is program on teaching the dangers of physical and sexual abuse.
At Monday’s board of education meeting, members heard a presentation on its Child Abuse Prevention Program, or C.A.P.P.
Since 1985, Perrysburg Schools has offered a countywide program centering on difficult and dangerous situations – more specifically, physical and sexual abuse, said Brent Swartzmiller, director of secondary teaching & learning.
The district provides this program for two reasons: To meet state requirements and “we believe it is an important educational program for the safety of our students,” he said.
Previously titled S.A.P.P. for Sexual Abuse Prevention Program, C.A.P.P. has been part of Perrysburg’s third-grade curriculum for the last 38 years.
C.A.P.P. is a two-part problem-solving and personal safety program that helps children to recognize abusive situations and to feel comfortable in sharing their concerns with their parents and/or other trusted adults, Swartzmiller said.
Lessons are taught in classrooms through digital media, discussions, artwork, presentations and role-playing.
“The goal is for students to become aware of their family support system and their community support system,” he said.
The board approve the hiring of Karen Schrock to be the C.A.P.P. coordinator for the 2024-25 school year for up to 75 hours at $29.57 per hour. Her salary will be paid by donation from the Perrysburg Exchange Club Foundation
Schrock, a Perrysburg resident, retired from Perrysburg Junior High School in 2015 as a sixth-grade math teacher. She has participated in the C.A.P.P. training provided by the staff at Children’s Resource Center in Bowling Green, as well as the Family & Child Abuse Prevention Center in Toledo.
Swartzmiller guessed the Exchange Club has supported the program for 25 years.
Paul Dodge, representing the Perrysburg Exchange Club, said the club will continue to support “this very important program that is provided to the children of the Perrysburg school system.”
He said the program aligns with the club’s local and national mission of preventing child abuse.
Dodge presented a $2,500 check in support of the program.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Nominated Sue Larimer for the Ohio School Boards Association’s Recognition Award.
In the 18 years he’s been with the district, Larimer is the first board member who has completed all the requirements for the award, said Superintendent Tom Hosler.
• Approved the retirement of D. Fred Connor, a 12-month custodian at Toth Elementary, effective Dec. 1; and bus driver Rene Mason, effective Jan. 1.
