With the help of a new program, students attending Loyalsock Township High and Middle schools this year are being encouraged to "say something" if they see prohibited items or activities.
Superintendent Robert Grantier explained at Wednesday's school board meeting how the district's plan to post stickers in each student's locker will help them use their voices if they see something inappropriate.
The stickers list items that are not allowed on district property, such as guns, knives, drugs and improper behavior such as bullying. The stickers include the district's safety tipline so students can report seeing anything that isn't tolerated on school grounds.
"What we're trying to do is inform the students," Grantier said.
He added that placing the message in each locker, instead of putting up posters in the hallways and classrooms, will make sure each student knows what to do.
"It reminds every kid. No one can say, 'I didn't know that policy,' " Grantier said.
Grantier said the sticker program is the result of an incident last school year that the district is hoping it can avoid this year by telling the students from the start what is allowed and isn't and what they should do if they see it.
In other business, Grantier also informed the board that the all-district instrumental concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 5 at the Community Arts Center.
Instead of having one concert for band and another for choir as in past years, the district has chosen to alternate the two performances each year.
Grantier said that most students participate in both activities and become "overwhelmed" by having to prepare for two performances, so the district chose the new format. He added that the change may help students be part of both activities.
"It might encourage kids to do both because they get on stage both times," Grantier said.
He added that because the event is a fundraiser for the Lancer Foundation, it's important to keep allowing the foundation to hand out scholarships and other educational grants.
"It's a pretty important event," Grantier said.
