The 2019-2020 school year marks the second academic year of Pennsylvania’s “Safe2Say Something” (S2SS) reporting system. Monday’s Middle School advisory circle activities will focus on empowering students to make contributions to the physical and emotional safety of our community by being upstanders, not bystanders. 

Seventh and eighth grade students and new students who learned about the S2SS program last school year will take part in a refresher training. Sixth grade students and any new students who have not previously learned about the S2SS program will take part in a more comprehensive training. Activities will include discussion and videos created by Sandyhook Promise that were provided by the state to all Pennsylvania schools. Students will learn/review: how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, of individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others; the importance of taking the signs and signals seriously; and how to act quickly to get help by either seeking the help of a trusted adult (e.g., parent/guardian, advisor, teacher, coach, school counselor), calling 911, or using the S2SS anonymous reporting system (accessible 24/7 via mobile, app, or website). 

To learn more about the S2SS program, click here for a summary brochure. You can help your child at home by reading this brochure and talking with them about the components before and after Monday’s advisory. Making time to listen and sharing what you will do as a trusted adult if your child comes to you with a concern about themselves or others can help in establishing and maintaining open communication channels between you and your child. 

The S2SS reporting system is mandated under PA state law/Act 44 and is one piece of Moravian Academy’s ongoing school safety initiatives. The S2SS tips received by our S2SS teams at the Middle and Upper School divisions and the reports made directly to other trusted adults speak to the value of the student trainings and overall initiative, and the positive impact it’s had in the short time since the program launched.