Where to Report a Concern

Your voice matters in keeping our school community safe. If you see something concerning or have safety-related information to share, there are multiple ways to report your concerns to ensure they are addressed promptly and appropriately.

Emergency Situations

CALL 911 for emergencies or life-threatening situations.

If you witness or become aware of any situation that poses immediate danger to students, staff, or community members, call 911 immediately.

During School Hours

You can report a concern in the following ways:

• Contact your school Principal or Assistant Principal
• Speak with a Teacher or trusted adult at your school

District Safety Officials

• Contact Belding Area Schools Central Office at 616-794-4700.

OK2SAY - Anonymous Reporting

Call, text, or email OK2SAY. Anyone can report tips confidentially on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Phone: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
• Text: Text your tip to 652729 (OK2SAY)
• Email: ok2say@mi.gov
• Online: OK2SAY Website

After School Hours

For emergencies, call 911.

For non-emergencies, you can report concerns in the following ways:

OK2SAY - 24/7 Anonymous Reporting 

Call, text, or email OK2SAY using the contact information above. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for confidential reporting.

Local Law Enforcement

• Belding Police (non-emergency): 616-794-1900
• For situations requiring immediate but non-emergency police response

Important Note: After school hours, please DO NOT report concerns by voice messages, texts, or emails to Belding Area Schools administrators, faculty, or staff, as these may not be received until the next school day. Use the 24/7 resources listed above instead.

What to Report

Safety Concerns may include, but are not limited to:

• Threats of violence or harm to students or staff
• Weapons on school property
• Bullying or harassment
• Substance abuse
• Self-harm or suicide threats
• Criminal activity on or near school property
• Suspicious behavior or individuals
• Any situation that makes you feel unsafe

Reporting Responsibly

Report in Good Faith: All reports should be made honestly and in good faith based on genuine safety concerns. Making false reports to get someone in trouble is inappropriate and can have serious consequences.

False Reporting Consequences

• Making intentionally false reports wastes valuable resources
• False accusations can harm innocent individuals
• Students who make knowingly false reports may face disciplinary action
• False reports to law enforcement may result in legal consequences

When You're Unsure: If you're uncertain whether something constitutes a genuine safety concern, it's better to report and let trained professionals make that determination rather than staying silent about a potential issue.

Anonymous vs. Identified Reporting

Anonymous Reporting

• OK2SAY allows completely anonymous reporting
• Protects your identity while ensuring concerns are addressed
• Available 24/7 for any safety-related concern

Identified Reporting

• Speaking directly with school officials allows for follow-up questions
• May be necessary for certain types of concerns requiring additional information
• School officials maintain confidentiality to the extent possible under the law

What Happens After You Report

Immediate Response

• All safety concerns are taken seriously and investigated promptly
• Emergency situations receive immediate attention from appropriate authorities
• School officials coordinate with law enforcement when necessary

Follow-Up

• Concerns are investigated thoroughly by trained professionals
• Appropriate interventions and support are provided as needed
• When possible and appropriate, you may receive feedback about the resolution

Protection

• Belding Area Schools prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports safety concerns in good faith
• Student and staff safety is always the top priority in any investigation

Building a Culture of Safety

Creating a safe school environment requires the participation of students, families, staff, and community members. By reporting concerns promptly, you help protect everyone in our school community.

Encourage Others

• Talk with your children about the importance of reporting safety concerns
• Let students know that speaking up about safety issues is always the right thing to do
• Remind young people that they can report concerns anonymously through OK2SAY

Questions About Reporting

For questions about:

• Reporting procedures: Contact Belding Area Schools Central Office at 616-794-4700
• OK2SAY program: Visit https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say or call 855-565-2729
• Emergency procedures: Contact your child's school office

Remember: When in doubt, report it. It's always better to share a concern that turns out to be unfounded than to remain silent about something that could affect the safety of our school community.