On March 18, the AHPS School Board approved a proposal that will allow law enforcement partners to visit Alleghany High School and Clifton Middle School and conduct online safety presentations. The Alleghany Highlands Community Services Board will assist with the presentations.
Parents will be given the right to opt students out of the presentations, which will caution students against sexting and other sensitive topics. The presentations will likely be made in late April or early May.
General Internet safety information is routinely included in library/media lessons, health classes, and other areas of the curriculum. These special presentations to middle schoolers and high schoolers will focus on preventing the disclosure of personal information, including information of a sexual nature.
“Much of the content of the presentations will provide information about the importance of avoiding the sharing of personal details and inappropriate images. Information designed to help students recognize possible ‘grooming’ behaviors will also be included,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS.
The presentations will not include graphic images or content related to sexual orientation or gender orientation. The presentations will reference crimes and crime prevention strategies. AHPS leaders sought school board approval of the presentations given their sensitive nature.
“We encourage families to carefully consider options for educating their children about the dangers of certain online behaviors. Local law enforcement has also indicated that they can be a resource for parents, including a resource for questions parents may have about the presentations,” said Halterman and Snead-Johnson.
Parents will be allowed to review the presentation material in advance, and opt a student out if they desire. AHPS will have additional communication for parents in advance of the presentations and make the materials available for review through routine communication means. At this time, information about the presentations is available by accessing the school board’s online agenda from March 18. The agenda is available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.
Halterman and Snead-Johnson said the upcoming presentations are another example of the community working together to support AHPS students.
“We know so many people in the Alleghany Highlands are invested in helping our students make wise decisions,” they said.
AHPS is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington. The school division was created in July 2022 through the merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center. AHPS serves approximately 2,700 students.
AHPS news and events are regularly updated on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.
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