New “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” Available to Report At-risk Student Behavior New “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” Available to Report At-risk Student Behavior

The Artesia Public Schools announced yesterday they are implementing the “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS) at the Artesia Intermediate, Artesia Junior High, and Artesia High School.

The system teaches students, teachers, and administrators how to recognize warning signs and signals, and Say Something to an adult or use the anonymous reporting system.

The system educates participants to:

· Recognize signs and signals of at-risk behaviors – especially within social media

· Take every sign or signal seriously: act quickly to get help by talking to a trusted adult, OR

· Report it anonymously through SS-ARS 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website

· Respond to and manage the submitted tip via a multi-disciplinary educator and administrator team

· Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities, and call-to-action weeks

In a release Mitzi McCaleb, Director of Health & Wellness at the Artesia Public Schools, wrote students often are aware of problems their peers are facing. “Most conversations take place on social media, therefore it is critical that we teach our students to be looking out for one another. 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 SS-ARS is provided to Artesia Public Schools at no charge through the Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) organization. SHP is in 7000+ schools and has trained over 3.5 million students and adults. To date SS-ARS and other SHP programs have helped stop multiple school shootings, suicides, and gun threats; reduced bullying and cyberbullying; intervened upon cutting, drug use, racial conflict, and more.

Anyone in the Artesia community can report an anonymous tip to SS-ARS through the school district website. Click on the “Submit a tip” icon located on the bottom left-hand corner of the www.bulldogs.org home page.

McCaleb asks everyone in Artesia to please Say Something if you know a child in need of help or a potentially dangerous situation. “It takes all of us caring about one another to ensure safe and healthy lives,” she wrote.