SOCSD Launches StopIt Platform to Promote Student Safety

Starkville, MS – A New Platform for Middle School Students

Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District (SOCSD) has introduced the StopIt platform to its middle school students at both Partnership Middle School and Armstrong Junior High School.

Designed as a digital application, StopIt allows students to report issues such as bullying, harassment, violence, safety concerns or mental health issues anonymously. The application sends the reports directly to the relevant administrators, enabling them to address concerns promptly.

Armstrong Junior High School has expressed support for the platform. “StopIt is a system that has significantly reduced student altercations, taught students how to solve problems responsibly and prevent issues from escalating,”

A Step Towards Bullying Prevention

The trial implementation of the StopIt program among middle school and junior high school students is aimed to nip potential issues in the bud before they can escalate. It’s a proactive measure to make resources more accessible for students and their families as bullying, cyberbullying, self-harm, school violence, and substance abuse are major risk factors they face.

School staff hopes that the availability of anonymous reporting through the StopIt application will remind students they are not alone and no stigma should hold them back from expressing their concerns.

Technological Integration and Student Training

Students at Armstrong Junior High School and Partnership Middle School have participated in digital literacy activities and training to master this new tool. They can access the StopIt platform on their school-issued Chromebook devices. Additionally, for better accessibility, the StopIt mobile application is also available for students and their families to download and use at home.

Addressing the implementation, SOCSD Superintendent has indicated that “the health and safety of our students are always our main focus, and we believe this platform will contribute to fostering a positive learning environment for our students during their crucial middle school years.”

A Direct Line of Communication

The application notifies designated staff members via text message when reports are submitted. This ensures timely response, allowing administrators and counselors to review each report and engage in anonymous interaction with the student who submitted it, asking additional questions and addressing their concerns as needed.

Since the platform’s deployment, administrators have received positive feedback on how the students are utilizing the application. “Immediately after we introduced it, we started receiving important information from students that helped us follow up on certain issues. As a result, we’ve managed to provide the necessary support to students and their families by connecting them with relevant resources,”

More Than Just Reporting: StopIt Features

Apart from anonymous reporting, the StopIt app enables students or parents to upload photos or screenshots to provide additional details for reported issues. Also, a real-time chat feature on the app connects students with professionals who can assist them further.

StopIt ensures that reports of violence or self-harm are immediately relayed to school officials via a direct phone call, reinforcing the safety net for students in crisis.

“Our primary responsibility is the safety of all students and staff, and the StopIt app is helping us fulfill this objective more effectively.”