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GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU) — In recent weeks, UpNorthLive has reported on multiple cases in which teachers have been charged with various crimes involving students. Investigators say many of these situations came to light because students came forward after seeing something that didn’t seem right.
UpNorthLive wanted to know if that’s a change from the past. Are students reaching out and reporting more?
Statewide data shows that students are becoming more vocal rather than silent. His Ok2Say program, Michigan’s confidential reporting system, saw his tips increase by 19% from 2021 to 2022.
Kingsley Area Schools staff are promoting the use of Ok2Say and allowing students to contact the school directly.
“We needed an opportunity to immediately reach out to the kids,” said Chris Rapes, principal of Kingsley High School.
As you walk through the hallways of your high school, you will see neon paper with QR codes printed on it taped to the walls.
In an age where technology makes communication more immediate, state and local governments want to make it easier for students to speak up if they see something that bothers them. The Ok2Say program filters tips to schools involved. Principal Rapes explained that she felt her staff could create a more direct way to reach students.
“I’m a pre-YouTube guy, so the way kids communicate with teachers and administration is now instantaneous in a way that it wasn’t before,” Rapes said.
QR codes posted throughout the school will open a Google Form where students can submit their concerns. The information you submit will be sent directly to your principal, counselor, or school resource officer.
“This is a way to ensure that if you are concerned about someone, you can submit information about them or need help, and you can remain anonymous if you wish,” said Acting School Resource Officer for Kingsley Area Schools. Jason Roelofs said. “Not everyone wants to be up close and personal with a police officer all the time, so we can investigate.”
These reports and tips are made when a student is concerned about themselves or others, or when there is a threat to their physical or mental safety.
“We listen to the notification, see who messaged us, and automatically consider how best to support that student immediately,” Rapes said. “We’re not waiting for feedback from an external agency. This is coming directly to us internally…I’ve even had kids say, Wow, that was really fast. My kids. I’ve even had my parents say, wow, you were fast, like they just texted me and said, ‘They turned it in.’ ”
Rapes explained that this is not only to respond quickly to students, but also to let students know that administrators are listening to their concerns. Kingsley High School has her 409 students and several administrators. That’s why it’s important for students to understand that by speaking up, they can create change, Rapes said.
“There’s so much power going into the hallways to influence change and influence what they see,” Rapes said.
By communicating that, Rapes said she and her staff are seeing students come to them with concerns first, rather than hearing them from their parents.
“I know a parent whose student was in high school, and she said, “I have to tell you something.” She said she’s very comfortable and happy to be there, and she can come up to you and tell you anything she needs to say to you,” said Deputy Roelofs. “I mean, it’s great that a big, scary police officer is so relatable.”
Kingsley Area Schools recently reinstated the position of school resource officer. Associate Professor Roelofs said he has not received any tips about Ok2Say since joining the school this year.
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