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OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Under the mantra of “see something, say something,” the Olmsted Falls City School District has introduced the new STOPit Anonymous Reporting System.
“The district has long had a tool for parents and students to anonymously report any safety and/or wellness concerns,” Superintendent Jim Lloyd said.
“This year, we transitioned to the STOPit reporting system, which also has a crisis line integrated into the app and website.”
The anonymous reporting system consists of an app that can be downloaded onto personal devices, as well as a website and a local phone number -- 440-581-7333, providing three convenient avenues for reporting concerns.
Director of Student Services Shannon Goss said the system, which is free to the district, is available to students and parents at all buildings.
“It’s allowing for someone if they see something to say something, but in a way they might be comfortable in sharing,” Goss said. “That anonymous component is important.
“What it also allows is for administrators to communicate with those reporting and to encourage them to collaborate and provide more information so we can follow up.”
The district is promoting STOPit through posters in schools, as well as in parent communications and installing the app on student Chromebooks.
While previously the district utilized anonymous reporting system SORSA (Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority), STOPit offered enhanced features.
“What really attracted us was the 24/7, 365-day response center where they take calls, monitor, manage and help to communicate life-threatening concerns to not only our district administrators, but also to those local safety forces,” Goss said.
“There’s also a crisis text line and trained mental health counselors available through this app.”
While Goss said STOPit has been used successfully by mostly middle school and high school students and parents during the fall, a recent incident that briefly put Olmsted Falls High School under lockdown did not emanate from the anonymous reporting system.
“It’s a well-integrated app that allows any individual to anonymously report anything related to safety, security or misconduct to help the school be safe,” Goss said.
“That’s ultimately our goal. We want them to feel like they have an avenue, because we all have a hand in supporting our students, staff and school community.”