Building safer, stronger students through prevention education
PS Academy
Designed for students in Pre-K through 12th grade, PS Academy combines research-based curriculum with interactive instruction to help schools meet educational standards while promoting child safety and well-being.
This curriculum has been approved by NCA as a pre-approved curriculum to meet Essential Component B of the Optional Child Abuse Prevention Standard (2025).
©P.S. Academy Curriculum, written by Sunflower House, provides programming annually to children in KS schools. We have aligned our programs to meet the Kansas Department of Education Character, Development and Social Standards (please see lesson plans). In addition, from 5th grade to 12th grade, the standards also meet Library and Technology Standards.
PS Academy
PS Academy© is a research-based, peer-reviewed personal safety and internet safety education program designed for students in Pre-K through 12th grade. Through engaging, interactive, age-appropriate, instructor-led presentations, the program empowers children and adolescents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to prevent, recognize, and report abuse, exploitation, and other forms of child victimization.
PS Academy aligns with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Social, Emotional, and Character Development Model Standards and supports select Information Technology (IT) educational requirements, making it a valuable resource for schools seeking to promote student safety and well-being.
This curriculum has been approved by NCA as a pre-approved curriculum that satisfies Essential Component B of the Optional Child Abuse Prevention Standard for Accreditation.
Happy Bear ( PreK-1st Grade)
Sunflower House has performed the Happy Bear play for more than 40 years in area elementary schools and preschools. A trained staff member will present the research supported program, which discusses recognizing welcome and unwelcome touches, saying anatomically correct names for private parts (breast/chest, bottom, vagina, penis) using resistance skills (say “No,” and move away), and identifying trusted adults to tell about inappropriate touches or pictures. The play incorporates humor and audience participation to allow children to teach Happy Bear about personal safety.
P.S. 2nd Grade: Secrets and Surprises
In this lesson, children will learn about rights and laws that help protect them. Children will also learn about instincts- they are a super power to let us know if a situation is unsafe! Secrets and surprises will be discussed, along with a game to identify red and green flag secrets. Importantly, children will learn to identify safe adults and that it’s ok to tell a safe adult when they feel worried or unsafe.
P.S. 3rd Grade: Finding Help
In this lesson, children will learn about consent. This means that they get to choose what they share online and in person- reminder that kids have rights! We will discuss strangers and adults that are unknown. Trusting instincts and asking caregivers/trusted adults is an important strategy. Code words are a great communication tool for caregivers and children. Internet safety is introduced with the topics of sharing info, searching websites on the internet and gaming safely. Importantly, children will learn to identify safe adults and that it’s ok to tell a safe adult when they feel worried or unsafe.
P.S. 4th Grade: Personal Safety
In this lesson, children will learn about personal boundaries, consent and how to pay attention to nonverbal communication. Children will learn that abuse is against the law and laws that protect kids. Internet/social media is discussed with the topics of cyberbullying, online strangers, people pretending to be someone else and red flag messages. Importantly, children will learn to identify safe adults and that it’s ok to tell a safe adult when they feel worried or unsafe.
P.S. 5th Grade: Boundaries and Scams
In this lesson, children will learn about healthy boundaries and friendships. We will discuss threats and “scams” that may be used to intimidate kids. They will learn to recognize behaviors and situations that threaten personal safety. Internet/social media safety is introduced with the topics of online consent, unhealthy images, online friendships, cyberbullying, sharing info, gaming safely and red flag messages. Importantly, children will learn to identify safe adults and that it’s ok to tell a safe adult when they feel worried or unsafe.
E-Safety for Middle School Students (6th-8th Grade)
A research supported presentation designed for students in the middle school or 6th-8th grade. Sunflower House staff will present current social media safety information including age appropriate examples, videos and necessary information regarding educational, legal and social consequences students can face while using social media to communicate. The presentation includes safety topics such as image/video boundaries, cyberbullying, exploitation, scams, AI info, changing the algorithm, self identifying mental health concerns and awareness and how to get help. When possible our law enforcement partners from local police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigations will co-present.
E-Safety for High School Students (9th-12th Grade)
A research supported presentation designed for students in the high school or 9th-12th grade. Sunflower House staff will present current electronic safety/social media information including age appropriate examples, videos and necessary information regarding educational, legal and social consequences students can face while using social media to communicate. The presentation includes safety topics such as sharing/editing images, cyberbullying, exploitation, scams, changing the algorithm, self identifying mental health concerns and awareness, AI info, toxic communities, healthy relationships and how to get help. When possible our law enforcement partners from local police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigations will co-present.
We recommend the following personal safety presentation schedule:
Happy Bear: Pre K-1st grade (30min)
P.S. 2nd Grade: Secrets and Surprises (45 min)
P.S. 3rd Grade: Finding Help (1hr)
P.S. 4th Grade: Personal Safety (1hr)
P.S. 5th Grade: Boundaries and Scams (1hr)
E Safety Middle School: 6th-8th grade (1 hr)
E Safety High School: 9th-12th Grade (1 hr)
Interested in having an educational program at your school or have questions?
Please email Education Program Director Monica Cattau at Monica@SunflowerHouse.org.
Please include which school you are part of and which program you are interested in.
Who It’s For
Sunflower House provides child abuse awareness education in more than 180 elementary schools, preschools and early learning centers in 100 percent of school districts in Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas.
Each school year our safety programs are requested and implemented in more school districts outside the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Effective Child Abuse Awareness Program
Research shows that the most effective awareness programs teach skills over multiple sessions, provide opportunities to practice the skills, and include parental involvement. Sunflower House provides child education through a number of developmentally appropriate learning activities regarding personal safety and how to recognize, resist, and report abuse. All Sunflower House programs correlate with the Kansas Social, Emotional, and Character Development Model Standards and Kansas Early Learning Standards as requested by school partners.
About Sunflower House
Sunflower House is a non-profit founded in 1977.
It is a non-residential children’s advocacy and abuse prevention center serving Johnson and Wyandotte counties. The questions, “What would I want for my child if he or she were abused?” and “How can we stop the cycle of child abuse?” drive every decision made at Sunflower House.
The agency addresses abuse and neglect through a comprehensive approach—engaging children, parents, child-serving professionals and the community. Sunflower House is an accredited member of the National Children’s Alliance. Accreditation through this national affiliate ensures adherence to best practice standards of its federally recognized multidisciplinary approach to child abuse investigations.
Our Partners
Education Partners
