Spring-Ford Schools Ask Students To Report Bullying On New App
By Michelle Durham
ROYERSFORD, Pa. (CBS) - Officials at the Spring-Ford School District unveiled a new link on their school district website that will allow students to anonymously notify them when a student needs help, whether because of bullying, drug and alcohol abuse or other reason.
The FriendWatch app was developed by Jay Niblick, a Spring-Ford parent who owns a technology firm that creates software.
"I took my teenage son and several of his friends to the movies a couple months back," Niblick explains. "And we walk back into the parking lot and their cell phones started blowing up with text messages about a friend of theirs that had just killed themselves. In talking to them, I found there were things they knew."
Knew but didn't tell a parent, teacher or guidance counselor and Spring-Ford Superintendent Dr. David Goodin says kids always know more. This is a way for students to notify them in a way they feel comfortable.
"Really what I wanted to convey to the students is that there is someone who cares for you and that's why we're here," Dr. Goodin said.
Dr. Goodin says all tips received by the app will be referred to the already established Spring-Ford Student Assistance Teams.
This app is free to any school that wants to use it once they register. For more information, visit www.friendwatch.org
