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Safe2Say Something is a safety and student wellness tool that has been launched throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Office of the Attorney General. The Safe2Say Something (S2SS) anonymous reporting system became operational for schools throughout Pennsylvania in January 2019.
The program, which is mandated under state law, provides an avenue to report troubling and potentially violent behaviors so that school and local police authorities can take proactive and preventive measures before a violent act may occur. The S2SS program permits students and adults to make anonymous tips or reports via phone, mobile app, or online, to the Safe2Say 24/7 Crisis Center personnel who will respond in accordance with the threat.
Middle and High School students throughout the state, including the Rose Tree Media School District, learn about the S2SS program. During these meetings, administrators and staff stress that we support our students who see, hear, or learn of troubling threats, potential violence, or possibilities of harm to self or others to tell a trusted adult. We encourage them to speak up and tell parents, teachers, guardians, or any other trusted adult when they feel something is unsettled or dangerous. For those times when that cannot occur, the S2SS option is available to them. We also emphasize, that similar to the use of 911 for emergencies, S2SS is for serious situations.
We have been fortunate in the Rose Tree Media School District to have students who have the trust and confidence to report concerns to adults in our schools, and we hope that will continue. However, S2SS provides just one more avenue for students to communicate concerns to administration.
The S2SS program is being provided through Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nation-wide non-profit organization. SHP’s programs are in 50 states – with 10,000+ schools and over 5.5 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. Advocates for the program anticipate that S2SS will help stop school shootings, suicides, and gun threats. It will also help reduce bullying, cyberbullying, and other violent and troublesome acts.
