FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Unified School District launched an anonymous reporting tool for students, families, and community to report concerns to school site administration. Available at all school sites, the system allows users to submit reports to the appropriate school authorities via an encrypted messaging system that protects the identity of the reporter. The tool is being rolled out following a year long implementation process involving stakeholders that included student, family, community, elected officials and school administration.
“While many students feel comfortable asking for help or reporting concerns to trusted school adult, that is not the case for all students,” shares FUSD Superintendent Michael Penca. The use of Anonymous Alerts will provide one more way for students to get the help they need.”
The mobile apps and Web-based reporting system provides secure 1-way or 2-way encrypted messages, increasing the flow of important information to school officials. Message topics for submission may include bullying, cyber-bullying, family difficulties, self-harm/cutting, drug and alcohol abuse, student depression, sexual harassment, gang related issues or strange/abnormal student behavior.
All reports remain completely anonymous, although submitters have the option to reveal their identity if they prefer to do so. Reports will be monitored from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Any reports submitted outside of these hours or during holidays will be responded to during the following normally scheduled school day.
If something disturbing or life threatening occurs at other times, it is imperative to call 911.
“We feel that we have a responsibility to offer this tool to our community in order to protect the safety of our students, providing methods for confidential disclosure when there is something serious that is troubling them,” says Flagstaff Unified School District spokesman Zachery Fountain. “Our goal is to enhance the student’s learning experience and limit any roadblocks to a student’s success, giving everyone the opportunity to succeed. This is one more tool for our teams to help students.”
The system goes live on Monday, December 2, 2019, following the Thanksgiving Break. Students will receive information about the system from school via announcements from school administration and the resource information will be made available via posters and stickers throughout all FUSD school sites.
Information regarding access the system is available atfusd1.org/anonymousalerts.