To enhance student safety, our schools will begin using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) starting in the 2024-25 school year. 

The SS-ARS program, which fulfills the mandate requirement under 115C-105.51 of North Carolina law, teaches students, teachers, and administrators how 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 SS-ARS 24/7 Crisis Center, mobile app, or website;
• Respond to and manage the submitted tip via educator and administrator teams; and
• Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities, and call-to-action weeks.

The system will be rolled out in a three-phased approach, beginning in July with middle and high schools on the year-round and modified calendars. Phase 2 will begin in September and will include middle and high schools on the traditional calendar. Phase 3 will include elementary schools; the roll-out date is to be determined. 

About the System

The system allows students and staff to anonymously report safety concerns to a multilingual crisis center that is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

Each tip is immediately sent to designated school leaders and, when necessary, to local 911 dispatchers, who then respond to protect student safety.

This system gives our students and staff a proven, research-based tool to prevent acts of violence and provide assistance to students in crisis. It is an additional option to our existing WCPSS Tip Line: 919-856-1911.

Say Something is intended to be used by students in grades 4-12 and by all staff.

All users will be trained during school hours. They will learn how to use the system and how to spot signs of at-risk behaviors that should be reported.

More than 5,000 schools nationwide are using this program, which is offered by Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization.

How to use

Step 1 - Submit an anonymous tip - Tips can be submitted via a mobile app, online at saysomething.net, or by calling the hotline at 844-5-SAYNOW (844-572-9669).

Step 2 - Crisis counselor reviews and categorizes tip - Tips are categorized as either Life Safety or Non-Life Safety. The tip is quickly sent to designated school officials and, if needed, 911 dispatchers.

Step 3 - Local response - School officials and/or emergency personnel will immediately investigate, assess, and provide support to the reported at-risk individual before they can harm themselves or others.

Privacy

WCPSS has been working with our legal team to ensure that all key privacy standards are maintained. All data from our school community within the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is owned by our school district.

Student training timeline

• July 2024 - Middle and high schools with July start dates (year-round and modified calendars)
• Late in the first semester of 2024 - Middle and high schools with August start dates (traditional calendar, Knightdale High, and early colleges)
• 2024-25 school year - 4th and 5th graders in all elementary schools (exact date to be determined)

Schools will communicate directly with their families to notify them about this process and when the application will be available to their school communities.

Questions

See answers to these Frequently Asked Questions.

You may also contact Dr. Corliss Thompson-Drew, WCPSS Director of School Psychology, at cthompsondrew@wcpss.net