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Dobbs Ferry School District Launches Anonymous Reporting Service
New York's Dobbs Ferry School District has added anonymous alert functionality to its existing alerts services, allowing individuals to anonymously report information that they may otherwise be uncomfortable conveying.
The system, provided by Anonymous Alerts, is intended to allow information on sensitive student matters to be reported via internet-enabled messages directly to school administrators.
Information can be submitted anonymously to school officials (school principal or assistant principal only) using a smartphone or computer. Students can also upload or attach a photo directly from their iPhone, iPad, or smartphone to accompany text. Reports remain anonymous, though senders have the option to reveal their identity to facilitate a direct, two-way dialogue.
Message topics for submission are intended to include:
- Student bullying;
- Depression;
- Family difficulties;
- Drug and alcohol problems;
- Sexual harassment;
- Guns or other weapons in school; or
- Unusual student behavior that may warrant immediate attention by school officials or law enforcement.
Anyone wishing to submit information anonymously can visit anonymousalerts.com/dobbsferrysd using an Internet-enabled device, or by going to the Anonymous Alerts link on the district's site. False reports will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, according to an Anonymous Alerts release.
"We want our students to feel safe in school and have the ability to report any acts of bullying and share social-emotional concerns, as well as time-sensitive issues, without the risk of negative consequences or the fear of retaliation," said Sylvia Fassler-Wallach , assistant superintendent of finance, facilities, and operations for Dobbs Ferry Schools, in a prepared statement.
The Dobbs Ferry School District enrolls more than 1,450 students and includes Dobbs Ferry High School, Dobbs Ferry Middle School, and Springhurst Elementary School. Dobbs Ferry, NY, is located 20 miles north of New York City.
The K12 Alerts platform was founded in 2002 to enable school administrators to quickly record, send, and track targeted messages to any school or community group. Anonymous Alerts was developed by K12 Alerts to address quick reporting of sensitive student issues or imminent danger to school officials. K12 Alerts is a privately held company and also serves higher education with its sibling Campus Alerts. K12 Alerts, Campus Alerts and the Anonymous Alerts brands are owned and operated by Message Logix, Inc. based in White Plains, NY.
For more information, visit dfsd.org or k12alerts.com.
About the Author
Kevin Hudson is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon. He can be reached at [email protected].