Dear Wildcat Students, Families, and Staff,
Ensuring that all of our students, teachers, and staff feel safe and supported at school is a top priority for our district. Keeping our schools safe requires a proactive approach that empowers our entire school community – students, educators, and other caring adults – to take meaningful action to protect our schools. Our proactive approach to school safety has now led us to partnering with the Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) and Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS). The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is supported by the Say Something program, which trains youth and adults how to recognize warning signs of individuals who may be in crisis, and to tell a trusted adult either directly or via the anonymous reporting system.
The program is designed to train and educate students how to:
Recognize Warning Signs and Threats: Recognize the warning signs and threats of individuals who may be at-risk of harming themselves or others
Act Immediately; Take it Seriously: Learn why it’s important to take action immediately when warning signs and threats are observed
Say Something: Get help by talking to a trusted adult, as well as how to submit a tip using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) through the telephone hotline, mobile app, or website that is available 24/7/365
We will launch the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System in our Wildcat community, with students in grades 4 through 12 training during the week of October 5th (training: on the warning signs and threats (risk of harming self or others), acting immediately, and how to say something).
Please click LINK to view a helpful parent/caregiver guide about the program.
The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System program is provided at no cost by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national nonprofit organization. Millions of youth and adults nationwide have participated in their evidence-informed “Know the Signs” programs, which includes Say Something. They have a proven track record of working effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and strengthen an inclusive school culture (For more information, visit SandyHookPromise.org.) Thank you for your partnership in creating a safe and supportive community.
Sincerely,
Katie Smith
Superintendent of Schools
LINK to download a printable PDF of this letter
Link to Say Something Anonymous Reporting System webpage