Thank you to everyone who shared tips on how they conduct Personal Safety Lessons (PSL) at their school and/or parish!
And congratulations to our Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) winners!
- Grand prize PSL basket winner – Mark S. (Academy of Holy Angels)
- PSL gift card winner – Ericka W. (Ave Maria Academy)
- PSL gift card winner – John G. (Holy Cross, Mpls)
Tips from Parish and School safe environment teams to consider as you plan PSLs at your location:
- Conducting PSLs early in the program year when attendance is at the highest was the most frequently shared tip! Also, some parishes and schools shared that this allowed PSL concepts, imagery, and language to be integrated into curriculum throughout the year.
Other parishes and schools noted that early PSL delivery increases the likelihood that youth will hear the church content before hearing similar messaging at a public school, sports team or secular group. - Conducting PSLs in early January during a spike in attendance with the new year and lull in activity schedules was the second most recommended scheduling tip.
- Many parishes and schools shared they offer ongoing make-up PSLs to ensure every student has the opportunity to receive the content (which helps the site meet the 90% attendance requirement set by the USCCB).
- Thank you gesture for teachers – One institution that conducts PSLs provides treats in the teachers’ lounge as a thank you to teachers for providing the content to the students in their classrooms.
- At-home make-up PSLs – A number of institutions allow at-home make-up PSLs with parents who submit verification that they reviewed the content with their child(ren).
Requests provided to the Archdiocese from Parish and School safe environment teams to assist in planning PSLs at their location:
- Provide faith-based PSL curriculum that aligns with the holistic Catholic understanding that every person is made in the image and likeness of God.
OPCY comment on this request: An example of relevant content that is based upon the sacredness of each person could be found in the curriculum from Circle of Grace (approved as curriculum in 2024). Additional approved content that incorporates Catholic teaching can be found in the VIRTUS Empowering God’s Children® Program.
- Provide a list of people/companies that provide PSL content to students so catechists don’t have to carry the load.
OPCY comment on this request: We are grateful of the burden you carry safeguarding our youth and have sourced options for these kinds of services such as Safely ever after, KidPower International, Stop It Now!, 4 Ace Christian and more in the listing of Supplemental Personal Safety Lesson Vendors.
- Provide updated PSL content to make it more relevant/current for today’s students.
OPCY comment on this request: An example of relevant content include VIRTUS video modules geared towards youth in grades 9-12: “Healthy Relationships for Teens 2.0 Expansion with Safe Environment Components” or Circle of Grace lessons for youth in grades 4-12 addressing areas of social media, relationships, new age culture, technology, and modesty. If you would like assistance with accessing these, please reach out to your Program Liaison.
- Provide a template to track PSL attendance.
OPCY comment on this request: VIRTUS includes a feature for recording PSLs that have been conducted from any approved or supplemental materials under the Educator’s Tab: “Record Children’s Program Training”. If you would like assistance with this, please reach out to your Program Liaison or you can use the Children’s Program PSL Tracking worksheet.
More information regarding PSLs may be found on the Personal Safety Lesson (PSL) Guidelines for 2025-2026 Mission Support page, the Safe Environment Resource Index, and by contacting your Program Liaison.
Thank you for safeguarding our youth, vulnerable adults and each other! It is an important mission within our local Catholic church.
