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Dear Craven County Schools 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 continually strive to support, enhance, and improve 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.
The Craven County School System currently uses the “Say Something Anonymous Reporting System” (SS-ARS). This program, implemented in the Craven County school system in spring of 2020, fulfills the mandate requirement under 115C-105.51 of NC Law. The system 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 the 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 the 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
All middle and high school Craven County students will go through annual training in the next few weeks. One of the program's greatest benefits is teaching our children the importance of having a trusted adult they can approach with issues and concerns and having that relationship established and in place. By saying something the intent is to act on information and to intervene as soon as possible in protecting our schools and community from potential threats or harm.
Our students are often 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. 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. SS-ARS teaches them what to look for in text, video, and photos while empowering them to act quickly to help a fellow student.
Please click here for a full brochure outlining the SS-ARS program.
The SS-ARS program is provided by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a nationwide non-profit organization. SHP’s programs are in 50 states – with 24,000+ schools and over 21 million students and adults trained. They have the track record, impeccable 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. To date, SS-ARS and other SHP prevention programs have intervened in multiple acts of school violence, suicides, and gun threats. The program has reduced bullying and cyberbullying, intervened upon cutting, drug use, and other violent acts. Numerous school districts throughout North Carolina currently use the SS-ARS.
We anticipate that SS-ARS will continue to help stop school violence, suicides, and gun threats, as well as teach students the importance of coming forward to help their peers and to help protect their community.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me directly. Nick.lucas@cravenk12.org
Sincerely,
Nick Lucas
Director of Security and Emergency Management Craven County Schools
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