NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Public Schools is rolling out an app that will let students, parents and school staff members anonymously report bullying or safety concerns.
The division's “Vector Alert” app is easy to find. Simply search “Safe Schools Alert” in the app store or “Vector Alert” on Google Play and click to download. From there you’ll be prompted to enter your “organization’s code” – that’s something your school division will provide you. Once you’re in, you can report safety concerns to the division.
Norfolk Public Schools parent Leetreona Matthews said it’s something that could be beneficial for students, especially.
“Maybe I might not say anything about this person having a weapon or bullying someone to their face because I might not be strong enough," Matthews said. "But if I had an avenue where I could have an open line to be able to just say, 'Here’s a concern, you might want to look into it.' I think that’s great.”
Matthews has a daughter who attends Ghent Elementary School. She said as a parent, she has no problem reporting safety concerns to school officials but children might not feel as comfortable reaching out about an issue.
Matthews said the app is an “immense help” because it gives students and parents another way to speak up.
“They can be heard and not ridiculed or someone pointing a finger at them later, labeling them as someone who is telling or what have you," Matthews said. "I think that really opens things up.”
A Norfolk Public Schools spokesperson said this app is one of the ways Norfolk wants to ensure students are supported and can enjoy safe, social-emotional learning.
Carol Hamlin, the senior director of Student Support Services, said this program will allow the administration to respond to problems right away.
"We think that it will be beneficial with all of the different ways that they’ll be able to give us the information and it’s in real-time," Hamlin wrote.
You can also access the alert system online and report an issue that way. Or you can send a text message or e-mail. Again, you’ll need the code from the school, so officials know which school the safety concern is in.
Officials with Norfolk Public Schools say every tip will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.