Madison May Join Guilford in Signing Up For Sandy Hook Promise

MADISON, CT - The town of Guilford recently announced its partnership with Sandy Hook Promise (SHP), a leading gun violence prevention organization, to roll out the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) to students districtwide by early November 2018.

The town of Madison is now studying whether it will be next to join.

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) allows students to submit secure and anonymous safety concerns to help identify and intervene with at-risk individuals BEFORE they hurt themselves or others. Concerned students simply submit a tip using the SS-ARS app, website, or by calling a dedicated 24/7 crisis center. SHP's crisis center then triages the tip and communicates it back to the identified school district contacts and, as needed, to law enforcement.

"Building upon our Say Something program, we are happy to partner with the Guilford Public Schools to help its students be "upstanders" by training them to Know the Signs of potential violence and to say something before a tragedy might occur," said Nicole Hockley, Managing Director at Sandy Hook Promise and mother to Dylan, who was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. "With SS-ARS, students can now take action to submit a tip anonymously and be sure it is case-managed by schools and local law enforcement. From bullying, to substance abuse to suicide and school shooting threats, schools and communities can take tangible action to prevent violence before it occurs."

Guilford parent Kristin Song contacted school superintendent Paul Freeman in early spring of this year encouraging the schools to adopt SS-ARS. Since the tragic loss of their 15-year-old son, Ethan, in January, Kristin and Mike Song have established the Ethan Miller Song Foundation dedicated to keeping kids safe. The Foundation's mission includes gun safety and advocacy, educating on the dangers of opioid abuse, texting and driving and the promotion of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System.

The Songs were pleased by the enthusiastic response of Dr. Freeman and Chief Hutchinson [Guilford Chief of Police Jeffrey Hutchinson] to implementing the Sandy Hook Anonymous Reporting System. Kristin shared, "When Ethan died, I was desperate to find something that might help/save another child who finds themselves in a situation where an adult needs to be involved. This app allows children, teachers and parents to report dangerous behavior to the appropriate adult who then can intervene. Mike and I feel that had this system been in place Ethan would still be alive today. Every child should be cherished and is important. If this system can help/save one child, then Ethan did not die in vain. Our motto is honor Ethan through action."

At the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting in Madison, bringing the program to Madison schools was discussed.

Doug McLeod stated that he is a resident of Madison and a volunteer for the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation. The foundation was started by parents of

McLeod told Madison selectmen that the next steps to launching the app system would be to establish a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the Board of Education.

Also, training for first responders will be required; training will be at no cost to Madison.McLeod stated that they have put together a pilot program at Polson and plan to review with his team the feasibility of the program in Madison.

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is managed and maintained by a national digital leader in the school safety space and a 24/7 Crisis Center who is a national compliance leader, both have 20+ years of experience. SHP provides overall management and training of SS-ARS to school districts and students and pays for 100% of the costs through donations, grants, and other gifts, to train and sustain the program in a school district.

About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national, nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012, that claimed the lives of 20 first-graders and 6 educators. SHP is focused on preventing gun violence (and other forms of violence and victimization) before it happens by educating and mobilizing youth and adults on mental health and wellness programs that identify, intervene and help at-risk individuals.

For more information, visit www.sandyhookpromise.org or call 203-304-9780.