January 3, 2017
Safety Alert System Heightens District Response
Industry:
Solution:
- Educate students and staff. There are free resources that districts can use to promote their alert system to students and staff. For instance, customizable fliers and posters can be displayed in the school and the community to show students and staff how to report bullying and harassment, Bahar said. Details about the reporting system should also be mentioned in the school handbook to become part of the overall safety policy, she added.
- Uphold anonymous reporting. It’s important for students to have the option to remain anonymous. After all, nearly two-thirds of students who are bullied do not report the behavior, according to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. “[Anonymous reporting] is a big feature because students don’t want to be known as a tattle-tale,” Bahar said. “I would say that more tips come in anonymously than not.”
- Foster communication. The school district representative should be able to communicate with the person reporting an incident through the system. “For instance, a school district in Washington received a tip through the SafeSchools Alert system about a student who was intent on bringing a gun to school,” Bahar said. By doing so, they were able to intervene to avert a potential crisis. In addition, a district in Pennsylvania received a bomb threat that was texted into the alert system. Through communication, the school was able to investigate before anything serious happened, Bahar said.
- Inform parents. District leaders can use a template letter to send to parents about the reporting system. Parents should be encouraged to talk to their children about using the system. Also, encourage parents to contribute to a positive school climate through PTO, volunteering, and school-based events. Set meeting times that are convenient for parents such as evening or weekend hours. Consider additional incentives, such as providing dinner or child care for parents to attend meetings.
- Accentuate positive behavior. The district’s safety alert system can also be used for good news. “For instance, if you want to recognize a teacher who went the extra mile for a student, or recognize student anti-bullying efforts, you can send a message to honor them,” Bahar said. The school can then recognize their efforts in communications such as newsletters and social media platforms, she said.