Dear Waterbury Public Schools Families: 

We are committed to creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated effort to improve the overall safety and well-being of our students, educators, and administrators.  

Doing this effectively requires a proactive approach with programs that equip students, parents, teachers, administrators, local law enforcement, mental health and wellness professionals, and elected officials to take meaningful action to protect our schools.  

Our students are aware of the problems and struggles that their peers face on a day-to-day basis. We must empower them to know the signs of potential danger and give them the tools to help each other with the assistance of trained and caring adults. As you know, most conversations take place on social media, therefore it is critical that we teach our students to look out for one another in text, video, and photos and act quickly to help a fellow student. 

Today, I am happy to announce the launch of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System for grades 6-12 in our district beginning on Monday, November 28, 2022. 

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, trains youth and adults how to recognize warning signs -- especially within social media -- of individuals who may be in crisis, and to tell a trusted adult directly or via the anonymous reporting system.  

Specifically, the Say Something program educates participants to: 

• Recognize the warning signs of someone who may be at risk of harming themselves or others; 
• Take every warning sign and threat seriously; act immediately to get help by talking to a trusted adult OR reporting it through the telephone hotline, mobile app, or website that is available 24/7/365; 
• Sustain the curriculum and awareness via student clubs, in-school activities, call-to-action weeks, and ongoing training.

Please click on the image below for a full brochure outlining the SS-ARS program: 

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System program is provided at no cost by Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a national nonprofit organization. More than 14 million people have participated in their research-based “Know the Signs” programs that include Say Something. They have a proven track record of working effectively with kids, parents, and teachers to improve school safety and strengthen an inclusive school culture. The program is age-appropriate and evidence-informed. To date, the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System and other SHP prevention programs have stopped multiple school shootings, suicides, and gun threats, as well as reduced other acts of violence and victimization like bullying/cyberbullying and helped thwart cutting, drug use, and more. We know this program will do the same for our district.   

Sincerely,

Dr. Verna Ruffin, Ed.D.

Superintendent