The Maryland Center for School Safety is reminding students that although schools remain closed due to COVID-19, its anonymous tip line, Safe Schools Maryland, is still operating 24/7.
The center, which provides grants and school safety training and support to public, non-public special education, and private schools throughout the state, recently issued a press release and public service announcement urging students to report any concerning behavior as they continue distance learning.
“With families isolated at home and students unable to physically attend school, Maryland students are facing new and diverse challenges,” the center wrote in the release. “During this time, the Safe Schools Maryland Tip Line becomes an increasingly vital tool to ensure the safety and well-being of Maryland students.”
The PSA acknowledges that students are still facing significant challenges, many of which they would normally share with teachers, staff members or other students in-person at school.
As students try to adjust to this new normal, the center encourages anyone who is concerned about their own or another student’s emotional or physical well-being to report it to the anonymous tip line. The center also encourages students to report if someone is being cyberbullied.
Non-profit Mental Health Association of New York State (MHANYS) says cyberbullying is likely to increase since technology is currently the main form of communication due to distance learning, reports News 10. The Cyberbullying Research Center agrees, stating feelings of loneliness and a lack of mental health counseling and mentoring from teachers are likely to fuel cyberbullying.
Karen Salmon, Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools and Chair of the School Safety Subcabinet, is encouraging students and families to also make use of emotional support and counseling resources available through each local school.
The tip line is accessible 24/7 by phone at 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233), online at safeschoolsmd.org, or by downloading the free app through the App Store or Google Play.
