Bunker Hill CUSD #8 welcomed motivational speaker and life coach Tom Kress from Hi Esteem Coaching & Speaking to both of its schools last week as part of the district’s programming for the instruction of Erin’s Law.
Mr. Kress, a survivor of sexual abuse, brought his program “Your POWER Project” to the students at both Wolf Ridge and Bunker Hill High School, fulfilling not only the state mandate requiring schools to teach children to recognize sexual abuse, but also sharing a message meant to equip students with skills to be the powerful individuals they were born to be. Prior to his presentation at the schools, the school district and Mr. Kress held a Parent Preview Night at Wolf Ridge, where he shared an overview of his presentation with interested parents in attendance.
Erin’s Law (House Bill-HB 6193) (P.A. 97-1147) was signed into law for Illinois public schools in 2011 by then-Governor Quinn and has since became a law in 35 other states. This law requires all public schools to provide programming to all students in grades PK-12 teaching students to recognize sexual abuse and equip them with skills to reduce their vulnerability and encourage them to report the abuse.