We believe Hemlock Public School District is safe, but no community is immune from the threats of violence and drugs that endanger schools in Michigan. We believe that our greatest asset in the enduring battle to keep our schools safe is our students, parents, and staff.
To address those concerns and to prepare our students for their part in staying safe, Hemlock Middle and High School are providing OK2SAY information for our 5th−12th-grade students. OK2SAY is a student safety initiative available to Michigan students in grades K−12 and enables students to confidentially report potential harm or criminal activities aimed at students, teachers, staff or other school employees. The program is operated through a partnership between the Department of Attorney General, Michigan State Police, state agencies, schools, parents, law enforcement, and community leaders. Anyone can confidentially submit tips 24/7 using the OK2SAY app, online (www.ok2say.com), texting 652729 (OK2SAY), email (ok2say@mi.gov), or by calling 8-555-OK2SAY.
Superintendent Don Killingbeck said, “OK2SAY is one more tool that we are utilizing to help with school safety and engage our students, parents, and staff.”
In just two years, nearly 5,000 tips have been submitted to OK2SAY from across the State of Michigan. There are close to 30 categories to choose from when submitting a confidential tip. However, most tips were related to bullying, cyberbullying, self-harm, and suicide. Other tips reported drug use, weapon possession, or assault. Upon receipt of a tip, specially trained OK2SAY
technicians at the Michigan State Police address the immediate need and, as necessary, forward the information to the appropriate responding agency. Depending upon the nature, tips go to schools, local law enforcement agencies, community mental health agencies, or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Additional information is available on the OK2SAY website (www.ok2say.com). There will be more information forthcoming regarding the program as we move through the year. Videos and other resources connected to the program will be released via our social media outlets to allow parents and others to see what our students are seeing and hearing in connection to this program—hopefully, this can stimulate conversation at home about responsible behavior, doing the right thing and stopping harmful behavior before it occurs.
According to Hemlock Middle School principal, Terry Keyser, “The OK2Say program encourages our students to confidentially speak up about safety concerns here at school in a way that inspires appropriate action.”