Students

SAFER OHIO SCHOOL TIP LINE
Call or text 844-723-3764  
Available 24/7

The Safer Ohio School Tip Line is a free safety resource available to all Ohio schools. The tip line is an anonymous reporting system that accepts both calls and texts 24 hours-a-day.

This tip line allows students and adults to anonymously share information with school officials and law enforcement about threats to student safety — whether that involves a threatened mass incident or harm to a single student.

Things to report to the tip line include (but are not limited to):

• Bullying incidents;
• Withdrawn student behaviors;
• Verbal or written threats observed toward students, faculty or schools;
• Hazing;
• Weapon/suspicious devices on or near school grounds;
• Gang related activities;
• Unusual/suspicious behavior of students or staff;
• Self-harm or suicidal sentiments; and
• Any other school safety-related concerns.

Every tip can remain anonymous. School safety analysts may ask for additional information, but the caller can remain secret or leave his or her contact information for later follow-up.

Calls or texts to 844-SaferOH (844-723-3764) are answered by analysts within Ohio Homeland Security.  If action is needed, the analysts immediately forward information to local school officials, law enforcement agencies, and the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) for action and follow up.

The OSSC partners with the Ohio Department of Education to follow up with affected school and law enforcement agencies to make sure that the incident is investigated, action is taken and resources and supports are provided when necessary.

 

Report Bullying

The CTC prohibits all forms of bullying behavior on school property, in school vehicles, at school-sponsored events, or during travel to and from school. Any violation of this policy shall be considered an infraction of the Student Code of Conduct, with discipline implemented accordingly. All bullying behavior that is a violation of the Ohio Criminal Code will be reported to the police.

The CTC strives to provide a safe, positive learning climate for students and recognizes that bullying of students has a negative effect on the educational environment of the school. Students who are bullied, intimidated, or fearful of other students may not be able to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the CTC.

Every student has the right to an education and to be safe in and around the school and at school activities. Therefore, the CTC strives to offer all students an educational environment free from bullying. Bullying shall mean a pattern of repeated harmful behavior by a person with more physical or social power toward a less powerful person. This may include a wide variety of behaviors, with deliberate intent to hurt, embarrass, or humiliate the other person. Researchers have identified four (4) forms of bullying:

1. Physical – the most commonly known form; includes hitting, kicking, spitting, pushing and taking personal belongings.
2. Verbal – includes taunting, malicious teasing, name-calling, and making threats.
3. Psychological or Relational – involves spreading rumors, manipulating social relationships, and engaging in social exclusion or intimidation.
4. Cyber-bullying – forms of verbal and psychological bullying may also occur on the Internet through e-mail, instant messaging, or personal profile and social network websites such as Twitter. Facebook, etc. Cyber-bullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening, or terrorizing another student, teacher, or employee of the district by sending or posting inappropriate or derogatory email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images, or website postings (including blogs). All forms of cyberbullying are unacceptable and, to the extent that such actions are disruptive of the educational process of the district, offenders shall be the subjects of appropriate discipline.

Bullying shall mean unwelcome verbal, written or physical conduct directed at a student by another student that has the intent of or effect of:

• Physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student.
• Damaging, extorting or taking a student’s personal property.
• Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional or mental harm.
• Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property.
• Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student’s educational opportunities.

Physical or verbal assault by a student against another student or staff member is strictly forbidden.

• Incidents, which are clearly "fighting," involving at least two (2) combatants in mutual physical force, will be considered serious offenses. The School Resource Officer will be involved in these matters, and charges may be filed.
• Incidents, where one party is clearly physically assaulted or attacked by another without provocation, will be handled as serious violations. The School Resource Officer will be involved in these matters, and charges may be filed.

While no physical altercations, unauthorized bodily contact, verbal assault, or sexual assault are condoned, there are varying degrees of severity associated with the extent of force used. Facts leading to the incident and the depth of involvement of the parties engaged in the situation will be investigated, and in any situation where the instigator of the altercation can be clearly determined, that party will receive a more severe punishment than the other party.

Students should report any bullying to an administrator, a school counselor, a teacher, or online using the Bullying Reporting form.

For additional details on Bullying and Harassment consult the Student Handbook.

 

Do you need help now?

Text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor within 5 minutes.

Any person may need help in coping with a stressful situation. Reach out by text to communicate with someone trained to listen and respond in a method that is private, secure, and confidential.

The Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential service available 24/7 via text on mobile devices.

Throughout Ohio, you can text the keyword “4hope” to 741 741 to be connected to a trained Crisis Counselor. Data usage while texting Crisis Text Line is free and the number will not appear on a phone bill with the mobile service carrier. People of all ages can use Crisis Text Line.

For more information about the Crisis Text Line and for supporting resources, please visit the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services website.