Kyrene School District is proud to announce the official launch of the Speak Up Kyrene anonymous reporting system. The system provides an additional layer of safety by allowing students, families and community members to confidentially report safety issues or mental health concerns around the clock.

Reports can include bullying, substance abuse, thoughts of self-harm, weapons or other threats to campus. Users will be able to submit tips online, via phone or by text message 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“Right now, during the day, we have pretty good systems for managing and responding to things that come in,” said Damian Nichols, Executive Director of Information Technology and School Safety, during an April 8 presentation to the Kyrene Governing Board. “This is really about the after hours, weekends and holidays when we just don’t have staff monitoring things in the middle of the night.”

In addition to threat reporting, Speak Up Kyrene provides a direct line to social-emotional support services. Students in crisis will have immediate access to highly trained, licensed counselors fluent in English and Spanish, with translation support available in more than 600 other languages.

“These counselors are not only educated and experienced but specifically trained to support students experiencing personal crises like suicidal ideation or feelings of hopelessness,” said Sandra Laine, Executive Director of Academy Equity and Excellence. “They are prepared to intervene in the moment and ensure students are never alone, no matter the hour.”

When tips involve life-threatening concerns, the crisis center will notify designated Kyrene staff after hours or contact 911 in cases of imminent danger. All reports are triaged and assessed for risk, with next steps coordinated between crisis counselors and Kyrene personnel.

“Our goal with Speak Up Kyrene is to intervene early, support students in crisis, and create a culture where every student feels safe, supported and heard,” said Laine.

Speak Up Kyrene is powered by Navigate360, a platform Kyrene already uses for threat assessment and emergency preparedness, and the call center is run by the nonprofit organization Sandy Hook Promise. The organization, founded by families affected by the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, focuses on preventing violence through early intervention and community engagement.

Training and education are key to the system's success. Students have and will continue to receive guidance on responsible use of the platform, and the district will regularly share information about the tool to families and community members.

“We always say, ‘report, don’t repost,’ and now we’re providing the tool to make those reports safely and effectively,” Laine said. “Students play a vital role in maintaining safe and supportive schools, and Speak Up Kyrene will empower them to take that role seriously.”

More information about Speak Up Kyrene can be found on the Kyrene School District website at www.kyrene.org/speakup.