Anonymous tip system started in wake of Sandy Hook shooting has fielded nearly 400,000 reports
By Dave Collins, April 29, 2026
Less than two years after her 6-year-old son was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, Nicole Hockley was in an Ohio church basement teaching the first class of a program she hoped would help prevent future school shootings.
The program, born in the grief of one of the nation’s worst mass shootings, teaches students how to identify warning signs among their peers and urges them to report any red flags to an anonymous tip system or a trusted adult to head off any violence.
Stop asking 'How was school today?' To raise successful, mentally strong kids, ask these 7 questions instead
By Amy Morin, Nov. 9, 2025
"My child won't tell me anything about their day!" It's a common concern I hear from parents in my psychotherapy office. They're hoping to gain a glimpse into their child's world. But asking "How was school today?" usually leads to a one-word answer.
In Texas, the United States District Court upheld school discipline against a student who “refused to surrender his cell phone to school personnel prior to taking the PSAT test, and (a student who) refused to surrender his phone to be placed (along with all his other classmates’ phones) in a blue pouch during the pendency of a teacher’s class.” School policy “allows students to carry cell phones in school for safety purposes, (but) they are not to be used during testing. Additionally, teachers are empowered to collect phones so that they do not disrupt class. More importantly, students are instructed that they shall not fail to comply with directives given by school personnel.” The students argued that schools “cannot regulate cell phone usage on its campus” because “the right to possess a cell phone is a sacrosanct right that supersedes all other provisions of the Code or other directives of an instructor.” The court held that “there is no constitutional right to possess a cell phone in class. Furthermore, to temporarily deprive a student of his cell phone during a class or a test and return it to them after the class or test is completed (or even at the conclusion of the school day) is not a constitutional violation.” Therefore the Court found that neither (student) has any legally cognizable claim regarding their respective cell phone scenarios. Brown v. Splendora ISD
In Kentucky, “the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) is urging all Kentucky school employees, both certified and classified, to share their experiences in a safety and studentbehavior survey. Following the passage and signing into law of Senate Bill 101, landmark legislation aimed at addressing assaults against educators, the KEA wants every public school teacher and school employee in Kentucky to take part in a new, anonymous School Behavior Support survey, designed to capture real-world data on school safety and student behavior.
In Minnesota, “Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives voted down GOP school safety legislation (HF 3493) that included additional funding, local options for school districts to create an anonymous threat reporting system, and would let schools suspend students for longer.”
In Tennessee, “Knox County Schools is prohibiting the use of magnetic strips on classroom doors after a criminal trespassing incident at Hardin Valley campuses earlier this month.” Officials say “individual classrooms have been using magnetic strips to allow students access in and out of classrooms during bathroom breaks.” Going forward, “all district facilities are equipped with automatic door locks and all doors must remain locked during the instructional day.”
A schoolwide bullying prevention program is one of the most effective ways to improve school climate—but it requires more than a training or a set of materials.
It requires structure, ownership, and follow-through. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) is designed with that reality in mind.
Here’s what successful implementation actually depends on:
A clearly defined leader A trained school-based coach who understands the framework and can guide the work internally.
A team-based approach A coordinating committee that shares responsibility and ensures the work doesn’t fall on one person.
Data to guide decisions Regular student survey data to identify where bullying is happening and track progress over time.
Consistency across staff Shared expectations and responses so students experience the same standards in every setting.
Ongoing support—not one-time training Mentorship and consultation to help schools navigate challenges during implementation.
The OBPP School Coach Course (June 15–17) is designed to prepare your school for each of these components—so implementation is realistic, manageable, and sustainable.
If you’re considering OBPP, this course is where the process becomes actionable.
Showing Up Matters: Rethinking Attendance and Student Success
June 2, 2026 | Virtual
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Chronic absenteeism doesn’t happen overnight—and neither does improving it. This practical, strategy-focused webinar will help schools move from awareness to action.
Participants will learn how to:
Spot attendance patterns early.
Identify students at risk before absenteeism becomes chronic.
Implement proactive, school-wide supports.
Strengthen school climate to improve engagement.
Use simple, daily actions to support better attendance.
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