At Oneonta City School District 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, we are happy to announce the district-wide launch of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS). This program teaches students in grades 4-12, 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 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. Say Something 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 Say Something ARS program is provided by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nation-wide non-profit organization. SHP’s programs are in 50 states with over 21 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, Say Something ARS and other SHP prevention programs have helped stop multiple school shootings, suicides, and gun threats, the program has reduced bullying and cyberbullying, intervened upon cutting, drug use, and other violent acts. We know this program will do the same for our district.
Students and staff are being trained in this program this week. Oneonta City School District is one of sixteen regional school districts participating in this program. Located on our school website is a direct link to ‘submit a tip’ to the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. Please look for the following Logo.