DF Schools Offers Anonymous Message System

Sometimes it can be scary to report incidents of bullying; family hardships; drug, alcohol and other types of abuse or depression, but students, parents and school staff may feel a little bit more at ease knowing that they can now bring these type of issues to light in an anonymous fashion. 

The Dobbs Ferry School District is launching a new communication tool, Anonymous Alerts ™ that will allow the community to quickly report sensitive matters through private messages using a Smartphone or computer. 

“Our number one priority is the physical and emotional well-being of our students and staff,” said Dobbs Ferry Superintendant Dr. Lisa Brady. “Given the recent nationwide tragedies surrounding mental health issues and violence, it is imperative that schools stay on top of urgent student concerns and increase the flow of actionable information to administrators who can quickly address problems as they arise."

Brady said that the system, which goes live on Feb. 7, will also help the district track and report such incidents, as is required by New York State’s School Dignity Act. Messages can be submitted through anonymousalerts.com/dobbsferrysd or by visiting the district’s website at dfsd.org and clicking on the Anonymous Alerts ™ link.

Photos can also be uploaded with the accompanying message’s text, which goes straight to the school principal or assistant principal. Though all reports remain anonymous, there is an option for people to identify themselves if they wish to have a two-way dialogue. 

“We want our students to feel safe in school and have the ability to report any acts of bullying and share social-emotional concerns a well as time-sensitive issues, without the risk of negative consequences or fear of retaliation,” said Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Facilities and Operations Sylvia Fassler-Wallach. “Anonymous Alerts™ is able to provide not only one-way communication, but can also be used for two-way dialogue, if desired.”

Message submissions may also include sexual harassment, gun/weapons in school or unusual student behavior that may warrant immediate attention by school officials or law enforcement.

This service will strictly be used for emergency safety information and other sensitive school community issues. All false reports will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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