Dear Bedford Area School District Families:
As a school system, we are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of our students, educators, and administrators.
To do this, we will partner with community-wide programs and initiatives involving parents, teachers, administrators, local law enforcement, mental health & wellness professionals, and elected officials to take meaningful action to protect our students.
Today, we are happy to announce the launch of the “Safe2Say Something” (S2SS) anonymous reporting system. This program, which is mandated under PA state law / Act 44, teaches students (in middle and high school), teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others. We are empowering people to “Say Something” to a trusted adult OR use its anonymous reporting system. Specifically, the program educates participants to:
- Recognize the signs and signals of at-risk behaviors – especially within social media
- Take every sign and signal seriously; act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult OR
- Report anonymously through the S2SS Office of the Attorney General 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website
- Respond to and manage the submitted tip via school-based, multi-disciplinary educator and administrator teams
Our students are often aware of the problems their peers are facing. We must empower them to know 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 be looking out for one another as these digital conversations are taking place. S2SS teaches students what to look for in text, video, and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student.
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. SHP also has funding to provide and sustain the program at NO COST to our school (and all schools statewide).
We anticipate that S2SS will help stop school shootings, suicides, and gun threats. It will also help to reduce bullying and cyberbullying, help intervene upon cutting, drug use, racial conflicts, and other violent and victimization acts.
District administrators would like to emphasize the best way to communicate any concerns about the safety or well-being of our students is through personal communication, if at all possible. This will allow administrators to thoroughly investigate any concerns as quickly as possible, in the event of an emergency. The “Safe2Say Something” program is an additional option in the event that you are not able to contact administrators, or believe anonymity is important.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mike Trimeloni
Bedford Elementary School Assistant Principal
Click Here for more information on how you can use the Safe2Say Something resources