The Circle of Grace is an approved safe environment training program for elementary and high school students enrolled in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston schools.
The Circle of Grace teaches children and youth how to identify and maintain appropriate physical, spiritual, and emotional boundaries. Its main goal is to educate and provide children and young people the tools and skills to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others.
The program emphasizes the love and goodness of God that surrounds us and all others. It is the recognition that God is with us always and is there to help us in difficult situations. Through the Circle of Grace Program, adults assist children and youth to recognize God’s love by understanding that each of us lives and moves within a Circle of Grace.
Among the many objectives, the Circle of Grace program also teaches children and young people to seek help from a trusted adult, reinforcing God’s presence in their real life struggles.
Here is an overview of the lesson topics taught by grade level:
Grade |
Lesson |
Kindergarten |
What is the Circle of Grace? Activity - The Stoplight: Feelings Touch and Secrets Safety Plan |
1st Grade |
What is the Circle of Grace? Activity - The Stoplight: Feelings Touch and Secrets Safety Plan |
2nd Grade |
What is the Circle of Grace? Activity - The Stoplight: Feelings Touch and Secrets Safety Plan |
3rd Grade |
What is the Circle of Grace? Activity - Boundaries and our limits of our Circle of Grace Action Plan |
4th Grade |
Internet Safety |
5th Grade |
Understanding the Influence of the Media on our Circle of Grace |
6th Grade |
Circle of Grace: Pieces of the Puzzle |
|
Safe Relationships: Putting the Puzzle Together |
|
Boundaries: Every Piece has its Border |
|
Safety PLAAN: When Something Doesn’t Fit |
7th Grade |
Saying "No" to Disrespect: Honoring Activity - Everyone’s Circle of Grace |
8th Grade |
How to be Morally Responsible in Today’s Culture |
After prayerful consideration, if you decide to exercise your right to have your child excluded from participation in the Circle of Grace class, an “opt-out” form must be submitted to the parish before the lesson is scheduled to take place.
OPT-OUT Instructions Web Page:
After prayerful consideration, if you decide to exercise your right to have your child excluded from participation in the Circle of Grace class, an “opt-out” form must be submitted to the parish before the lesson is scheduled to take place.
This is the only class you can have your child opt-out from the school year calendar and this will not affect your child's attendance record.
An opt-out form is valid for the current school year only.
We must have an original signature.
Email, PDF or scanned forms will NOT be accepted.