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Pocono Mountain School District has many safety measures in place to keep our students, staff and schools safe, but one of the most important safety measures we can have in place at our schools is to foster a positive culture and climate in our schools. A positive school culture and climate is one where our students and parents feel accepted and comfortable reporting concerns to our school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, staff members, bus drivers, coaches or other trusted adults in the District.
Our parents and students are our eyes and ears in our community. We need parents and students to immediately report safety concerns about students or possible threats made against our schools to the District, so our administrators and police can investigate and resolve any concerns.
If you are uncomfortable reporting concerns directly to Pocono Mountain School District, please use Pennsylvania’s new anonymous tip line, Safe2Say Something to report your concern. The state launched this new anonymous reporting system on Monday, January 14, 2019.
This program, which is mandated under PA state law / Act 44, 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 the Safe2Say Something Office of the Attorney General 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website
- Respond to and manage the submitted tip via a school-based multi-disciplinary educator and administrator teams
- Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities and call-to-action weeks
Safe2Say Something is based on a three-step system:
1. An anonymous tip is submitted via one of the following options:
Website: https://www.safe2saypa.org/
Tipline: 1-844-SAF2SAY
Mobile App for Apple and Android Devices
2. All calls and tips are received by the 24/7 S2SS Crisis Center.
A S2SS Crisis Center analyst receives and reviews tip information.
The tip is triaged and categorized as either life safety or non-life safety.
The tip is then sent to school officials and law enforcement (as needed) via text, email, and/or phone call.
3. School officials and law enforcement intervene and/or offer assistance
School officials and law enforcement (as needed) investigate, assess, and intervene with reported at-risk individuals.
School officials report their outcomes into the Safe2Say Something platform and close out the tip, ensuring accountability for every tip submitted.
The S2SS program and curriculum is funded and managed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office through a partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a national non-profit organization working to improve school safety. The curriculum is designed to be age-appropriate and research-based, and will be taught to Pocono Mountain SD students in grades 7 to 12.
Safe2Say Something is designed to stop school shootings, suicides, and gun threats; reduce bullying and cyberbullying; and intervene upon cutting, drug use, racial conflicts, and other violent and victimization acts.
Parents and students are encouraged to immediately report any school or student safety concerns to school administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, staff, bus drivers, coaches, assistant superintendents or the superintendent, to the police or through the Safe2Say Something anonymous reporting system.
Download a full brochure, outlining the program.
Questions about Safe2Say Something may be directed to any member of our Safe2Say Something Crisis Team at 570-839-7121:
- Dr. Jeremy Sawicki, Director of Technology Services & School Safety, ext. 10151
- Ms. Wendy Frable, Director of Public Relations and Compliance Services, ext. 10125
- Dr. Elizabeth Robison, Superintendent of Schools, ext. 10111
- Dr. Catherine Sweeney, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, ext. 10161
- Dr. Mark Wade, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education, ext. 10181
- Mrs. Courtney Burrus, Executive Director of Human Resources, ext. 10121
