Say Something

 

Per Mount Airy City Schools Policy 1710/4021/7230, the board acknowledges the dignity and worth of all students and employees and strives to create a safe, orderly, caring, and inviting school environment to facilitate student learning and achievement. The board prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. The board will not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination, harassment, or bullying in any of its educational or employment activities or programs.

 

The “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS) program, which fulfills the mandate requirement under 115C-105.51 of NC Law, teaches students, 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 and 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 it anonymously through SS-ARS 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website
• Respond to and manage the submitted tip via multi-disciplinary educator and administrator teams
• Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities and call-to-action weeks

 

Our students often are aware of the problems their peers are facing, so 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. 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 program is being provided and sustained at no cost to Mount AIry City Schools through Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national non-profit organization. More than 7.5 million students and adults have been trained in their signature, evidence-based Know the Signs programs that includes Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS). They have an exceptional track record, reputation, and level of expertise in working effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and culture.