Over the coming weeks, Watauga County Schools will adopt a state-approved reporting program called the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. The system will allow students, staff, and teachers to anonymously report issues of concern regarding student and school safety. Middle and high school students will receive information from their schools starting next week about the reporting system and how to submit reports.

Students will have access to a mobile app that will allow them to submit tips to a national crisis center staffed 24/7 by trained counselors. The crisis center staff will triage, categorize and deliver tip information to local law enforcement and school staff who will then be able to investigate to determine the level of concern or threat. Tips will be categorized as either “life safety” or “non-life safety” based on the information provided. The Crisis Center will notify school staff and the local 911 dispatch after-hours when tips are life-threatening or in cases of imminent threat.

Tips can be sent in via the web, a phone hotline, or through the app – including photos and videos.

Parents are strongly encouraged to discuss the appropriate use of the reporting system with their children and to be aware if the app is loaded onto phones or other personal electronic devices. Parents with questions about the new system are welcome to call the school any time to talk with our school counselor. 

 

Additional information about the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System can be found online at SaySomething.net.