North Country School Districts Collaborate with Safe Schools Endeavor to Implement ‘Say Something’ Anonymous Reporting System

Developed by the Sandy Hook Promise, System Provides Additional Layer of School Safety

     WATERTOWN — School districts within the Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES region are strengthening their commitment to student safety through a partnership with the Safe Schools Endeavor, a Northern New York Community Foundation affiliate, to implement the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS) in local schools. Twelve component school districts are now participating, including BOCES itself.

     The Say Something ARS, developed by Sandy Hook Promise, is an anonymous reporting system that provides an additional layer of school safety. The program empowers students in grades four through 12 to recognize warning signs and confidentially report concerns about threats, bullying, self-harm, or other safety issues—allowing adults to intervene before a crisis occurs.

     “All the research and professional training we’ve received as a Health and Safety Department consistently identifies anonymous reporting systems as the first critical step in building a successful violence prevention program,” said Raymond Filley, BOCES health, safety & security coordinator. “This initiative has helped our districts take that essential step by ensuring students have a safe and anonymous way to report concerns.”

     By embedding the Say Something program within schools, students are empowered to become more aware of warning signs and reporting mental distress or potential threats, fostering a culture where no warning sign goes unnoticed. Since the program’s inception, a total of 71 tips, eight life safety and 63 non-life safety have been received.

     “The See Something, Say Something Anonymous Reporting System has provided our students at Sackets Harbor Central School with another outlet for reporting things like bullying, self-harm, and potential personal or school threats,” said Troy Pietroski, Sackets Harbor Central school security officer. “Whether it\’s through telling a trusted adult or using the 24/7 crisis center, the SSSS ARS has allowed students to take an up-stander approach to help maintain a safe school environment. For our students to have the ability to make a report anonymously, to a trained professional, and knowing the report will be handled in a timely manner, has given them an added confidence their concerns are being heard.\”

     The Safe Schools Endeavor was created in the wake of the February 14, 2018, tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In partnership with the Community Foundation, the initiative was established to encourage meaningful, local change in Jefferson and Lewis counties.

     Since its inception, the Safe Schools Endeavor has awarded $140,348 in grant funding to support 79 school safety projects across the two counties. Guided by a 15-member, all-volunteer Steering Committee, the initiative continues to embody its philosophy that “A Few Can Make a Difference”.

     “Safe Schools Endeavor consistently seeks innovative approaches to enhance safety within our local educational institutions,” said Rebecca Pate Johnson, SSE committee member. “Partnering with BOCES and local school districts to implement the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS) in our schools has provided Safe Schools Endeavor with a valuable opportunity to further its mission of proactively addressing safety concerns before they escalate into a crisis.”

     Through this collaboration, the participating school districts are reinforcing a shared belief: every student deserves to feel safe, supported, and heard. By equipping students with the tools and confidence to speak up, the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System helps ensure that concerns are addressed early—and that help reaches those who need it most.

     Visit bit.ly/SaySomethingReportingSystem to learn more about the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System.

About the Northern New York Community Foundation

     Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.

     Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.

     The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.