With the start of a new school year quickly approaching, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is reminding students, parents, and teachers to continue using OK2SAY. The student safety program has been a great success — even in the summer months. In June and July, OK2SAY received 510 tips.
The highest number of tips for July are as follows:
Suicide Threat – 61
Cyberbullying – 15
Self-harm – 12
Threats – 12
“OK2SAY works. It is as simple as that, and I continue to encourage students to submit tips,” said Schuette. “OK2SAY empowers students to speak up about school safety and knocks down barriers so a student who is struggling has a confidential place to turn before a situation turns into a tragedy.”
“We want to remind students that we are here for them. No amount of information is too small or unimportant,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police.
“We encourage parents and teachers to help us spread the message about using OK2SAY. Check to make sure they’ve downloaded the app and stored the number so it is ready if needed.”
The total number of tips since OK2SAY launched in September 2014 has reached almost 15,000. Tips are submitted across 30 categories, with most tips reporting bullying, suicide threats, “other” (e.g., anxiety, depression, harassment, and stress), self harm, and drugs.
“We are encouraged by this summer’s continued success of OK2SAY and are looking forward to continuing that momentum through the 2018-2019 school year,” said Schuette.
OK2SAY is starting off the school year with a new and improved website offering a new streamlined look and easier viewing for Michigan residents looking to find out more about OK2SAY or to schedule a presentation in their community.
The attorney general offers free programming for K-12th grade students, parents, guardians, and community leaders. To date, nearly two million Michigan citizens have attended a presentation.
Students in K-5th grade receive age-appropriate instruction from the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative (CSI), a national award-winning program and feeder program for OK2SAY. Students in 6th-12th grade receive dynamic OK2SAY student safety programming.
Adults can learn about our programs and how to host them by attending the Community Seminar or Program Overview. Scheduling is fast and easy on the OK2SAY website.
So far, presentations are scheduled in 162 schools in 26 counties for the 2018-2019 school year. But it’s not too late, there is room for more presentations. If a school is interested in hosting an OK2SAY/CSI presentation, it can sign up on the OK2SAY website.
Designating a few specific individuals with whom OK2SAY technicians can follow up with regarding tip information is crucial, OK2SAY points of contact help save time, and even lives. That’s why the attorney general is urging Michigan principals to fill out or update the online OK2SAY School Contact Form.
Students, teachers, parents, school officials, friends, and neighbors can submit tips if they are aware of a threat in school. Tips can be submitted though any of the following ways:
Call: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
Email: OK2SAY@mi.gov
Web: ok2say.com
Mobile App: Google Play iTunes
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