PHOENIX – The Kyrene School District recently launched an anonymous reporting system that allows students and families to submit any safety concerns they may have.
The system, called Speak Up Kyrene, is accessible through a mobile app, website, texting #SpeakUpKyrene to 738477 or calling 1-844-572-9669.
Lainie Sgouros, the assistant director of prevention for Kyrene School District, told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the program aims to help staff catch potential misconduct or dangers.
“If a student has seen something on social media and wants their school to be aware of that, they’ve heard there’s going to be a fight, something like that,” Sgouros said. “We had one recently that there was vandalism in a bathroom.”
What other ways can the anonymous reporting system be used?
The system, powered by Naviagte360, also offers support services like counseling to students and families.
“If the tips involve something that is a life safety kind of concern, there’s a concern related to self-harm, then this is a national center that can provide 24/7, 365 support to that student, that family to help get (them) that information and provide some resources,” Sgouros said.
Sgouros explained that the district is partnering with Sandy Hook Promise, an organization that works to prevent violence and harm in schools, to run the anonymous reporting system’s call center.
She noted that students can report incidents to adults during school hours, but this helps staff keep up with potential threats outside of the school building as well.
“This is an attempt to provide additional resources and means of communication for those times when we’re not in the buildings,” Sgouros said. “So, evenings, weekends, winter break (and) summer break.”
Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.
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