Holmdel, NJ | September, 20th 2024
Norwich Free Academy Responds Swiftly to Anonymous Report via STOPit App
Norwich Free Academy (NFA) took prompt action on Thursday morning after receiving an anonymous tip through the STOPit app, which reported a potential threat involving a weapon on a school bus. The tip, later determined to be unfounded, triggered an immediate response from both school officials and local law enforcement to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
“While I am relieved to share that this concern was determined to be unfounded and without merit, I want to communicate directly with you about the situation and the process we put in place,” said Dr. Nathan Quesnel, Head of School and Superintendent of NFA.
The anonymous tip came from a student on a bus en route to NFA from one of the school’s partner districts. The student reported overhearing another student mention bringing a weapon to school.
“In immediate consultation with our campus safety team and our school resource officer from Norwich Police Department, we took the following steps to ensure the safety of all of our students, faculty, and staff,” Quesnel explained.
Upon arrival, students from the bus in question were escorted to the auditorium, where each was screened to ensure no weapons were present. The school day continued as normal after no threat was found.
“STOPit is our anonymous tool for students to share information directly with campus safety and our administration,” Quesnel added, highlighting the app’s critical role in the timely response.
Elya Anor, Student Advisory Board President at NFA, demonstrated the functionality of the STOPit app and emphasized its importance in maintaining student safety. “It’s just a lot quicker to be able to pull out your phone and not have to worry about information getting back to you since it is anonymous,” Anor said.
Parents also expressed their support for the app’s effectiveness. “The idea of being safe trumps everything. I’m sure every parent would agree with me that they want their kid to come home with me each day,” said Dave Pangburn, a parent of an NFA student.
The STOPit app has been in place at NFA for four years and is frequently used by students to report concerns anonymously. “Anything that happens should be taken seriously,” said Michael O’Farrell, Director of Communications at NFA, noting that the anonymity of the app is a key factor in its success.
For more details, you can read the full article on WFSB.