Safe Schools

What is Safe2Say Something?

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.

Here’s how it works:

• Submit an anonymous tip report through the Safe2SaySomething system
• Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions
• Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement  for intervention
• If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app

SUBMIT A TIP:

• Visit the Safe2Say Something Website
• Get the App
• Call: 1-844-SAF2SAY (1-844-723-2729)

Susquehanna Township School District has been taking a proactive approach to stop bullying before it begins.

Anti-bullying programs are in place in all STSD schools. Positive Behavior Support Program (PBIS) teams work to educate learners on bullying prevention through classroom meetings and lessons through SOAR (Safety | Ownership | Accountability | Respect). The District's Shared norms for Acceptable Behaviors and SOAR expectations are posted throughout the buildings, and staff have participated in bullying prevention in-service programs.

To continue and build upon these efforts, the District has implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The Olweus Program is a comprehensive approach that includes schoolwide, classroom, individual, and community components. The program is focused on long-term change that creates a safe and positive school climate. It is designed and evaluated for use in elementary, middle, junior high and high schools (K-12). The program’s goals are: 

• reduce and prevent bullying problems among school children 
• improve peer relations at school 

The program has been found to reduce bullying among children, improve the social climate of classrooms, and reduce related antisocial behaviors, such as vandalism and truancy. The Olweus Program has been implemented in more than a dozen countries around the world, and in thousands of schools in the United States. 

STSD has an Olweus Team in each of our 4 buildings.  The teams are responsible for a kick-off event in the Fall of each school year, booster events throughout the year, as well providing each building with classroom lessons.  The Olweus Program also meshes with our PBIS teams to ensure a common language is spoken to ensure a positive school climate.  

SOAR Behavior Norms

In order to fulfill our core value of providing a safe and supportive learning environment to ensure our mission: The Success of Every Learner, we will implement a systematic approach that establishes shared norms for acceptable behavior; builds positive relationships; provides clear expectations; and, engages all students, parents, team members and stakeholders.

Guiding Principles – SOAR
Safety ~ Ownership ~ Accountability ~ Respect

SOAR is the basis for the District’s Student Success Manual. By the time each student has completed their education in the STSD, they will have experienced comprehensive lessons that focus on social and emotional learning (SEL), the expectations of how to behave in various situations, and the District’s expectations for appropriate behaviors in the classroom. Staff members will also receive comprehensive training on topics that include forming healthy relationships, collaborating effectively, managing stress and conflict, pursuing ethical solutions to problems, advocating for students and themselves, and empathizing with others.

The most important step is to identify and teach shared norms, which are the expected behaviors for students, staff and parents. SOAR will be used to implement the District’s positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS). PBIS and SEL will be used to deliver explicit instruction and modeling to teach the aspects of SOAR and the shared norms.

SOAR Behavior Norm Files

• District Shared Norms
• Student Success Manual

Below are the minutes from our District Safety Committee.