Announcing ‘Say Something Anonymous Reporting System’ at SMS and WHS
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
As a school district, we are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of our students, educators, administrators, and the community at large.
To do this, we believe this must involve community-wide programs and initiatives involving parents, teachers, administrators, local law enforcement, mental health and wellness professionals, and elected officials to take meaningful action to protect our students.
Today, I am happy to announce the district-wide launch of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS). This program teaches students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signals and threats, on social media, in school, or in their community, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and Say Something to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. Specifically, the program educates students and adult participants to:
Recognize the signs and threats of at-risk behaviors
Take every sign and signal seriously and act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult, OR
Report it anonymously to the Say Something -Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) 24/7/365 Crisis Center via a mobile app, website, or telephone hotline
Respond to and manage the submitted tips using a tip management system overseen by a designated school team
Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities and call-to-action weeks
Our students are often aware of the problems their peers are facing, so we must empower them to recognize the danger signs and give them the tools to help each other with the assistance of trained and caring adults. As you know, most conversations are taking place on social media, therefore it is critical that we teach our students to look out for one another as these digital conversations are taking place. SS-ARS teaches them what to look for in text, video and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student. The program also teaches students to recognize at-risk behaviors in friends and classmates at school and in their local community
The SS-ARS program is provided by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nation-wide non-profit organization. Sandy Hook Promise’s (SHP) programs are in 50 states – with 14,000+ schools and over 12 million students and adults trained. They have a track record, reputation, and knowledge of how to work effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and culture. The program is age-appropriate and research-based. To date, SS-ARS and other SHP prevention programs have helped stop multiple school incidences involving firearms, suicides, and firearm threats, The program has reduced bullying and cyberbullying, intervened upon situations of self-harm, drug use, and other dangerous incidences. We know this program will do the same for our district if situations like these arise.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call, or email me directly.
Sincerely,
Alison Villanueva, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools