Kyrene School District has introduced a new anonymous reporting system, Speak Up Kyrene, aimed at enhancing campus safety and providing additional mental health support for students. The system allows students, families, and community members to report concerns confidentially at any time of day.
The reporting platform accepts tips about bullying, substance abuse, self-harm, weapons, or other potential threats. Reports can be submitted online, by phone, or through text message around the clock.
“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 capabilities, Speak Up Kyrene offers direct access to social-emotional support services. Students experiencing crisis will be connected immediately with licensed counselors who are fluent in English and Spanish; translation is available in over 600 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 reports involve life-threatening issues, crisis center staff will notify designated Kyrene personnel after hours or contact emergency services if there is imminent danger. Each report is evaluated for risk level with further steps coordinated between crisis counselors and district staff.
“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.
The platform operates on Navigate360 technology—already used by Kyrene for threat assessment—and its call center is managed by Sandy Hook Promise. Sandy Hook Promise was established by families impacted by the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and works toward violence prevention through early intervention programs.
Training on responsible use of Speak Up Kyrene has been provided to students; ongoing information about the tool will continue to be shared with 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.”
Additional details about Speak Up Kyrene are available on the district’s website: www.kyrene.org/speakup.
