Implementing anonymous student communications reflects district’s commitment to providing the best possible learning environment
Newtown Public Schools has implemented a new safety and bullying reporting app called Anonymous Alerts [1].
The app allows students, parents and other school personnel to maintain their confidentiality while calling attention to situations like bullying, safety concerns, student depression, drug and alcohol issues, family problems, or other situations that may warrant immediate attention by school officials. The Anonymous Alerts technology facilitates the quick reporting of incidents and concerns.
In remembrance of the 2012 tragedy that struck the district, Anonymous Alerts and its advisory board sponsored the initial purchase of Anonymous Alerts for the high school and middle school. Through this patented mobile app technology, students can now quickly, easily, and anonymously report urgent or sensitive information to authorized school officials.
“As part of Newtown Public Schools continuing efforts to improve the safety and security of students and staff, we are excited to launch Anonymous Alerts, a new safety communications tool. Students, staff, and parents can now use their smartphone or tablet to quickly, easily, and anonymously report information to school administrators at Newtown High School and Newtown Middle School, ” said Dr. Joseph V. Erardi Jr., Superintendent of Schools for Newtown Public School District.
Dr. Erardi Jr. also stated, “We encourage the reporting of mean behaviors, bullying, cyber-bullying, student depression, drug and alcohol issues, and other safety concerns. All reports remain anonymous, although submitters have the option to reveal their identity if they prefer to have a personal and private discussion with the school administrator.”
“We are honored and excited to partner with Newtown Public Schools. We are proud to work with their students, parents, and schools to help increase the flow of information about safety, bullying, or other concerns with the use of our patented anonymous reporting app and system,” said T. Gregory Bender, President and CEO of Anonymous Alerts.
To use this new app, students, parents or other school personnel can download the Anonymous Alerts app directly from the Apple App Store, Google Play store for Android, and the Chrome store app from the Google Chrome store. After downloading the app they can click to open it, and enter a simple username and password supplied to them by their schools. In addition, informational posters explaining how to use the app will be displayed throughout the high school and middle school.
All reports remain completely anonymous, although submitters have the option to reveal their identity if they prefer. The system will be operational only on school days between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and reports sent after 2:00 p.m. will be answered on the next scheduled school day.
Newtown Public School District, which includes Sandy Hook Elementary School, joins more than 1,500 K-12 schools throughout the United States including Greenwich High School and other Connecticut schools who have implemented the Anonymous Alerts anti-bullying app and safety reporting system.