Burke County Public Schools Hosts Parent Night Focused on Student Safety and Well-Being

By Samantha Simmons

At Burke County Public Schools, students’ safety and well-being guide every decision. That commitment was evident during a recent Parent Night at Patton High School, where district leaders and public health partners came together to share resources, information, and practical ways families can support their children.

The evening began with a presentation by Burke County Public Schools highlighting the systems and supports in place to support students. District leaders shared how monitoring tools such as Gaggle and Guardian help promote student safety. These systems operate 24/7, scanning student activity on school-issued devices for concerning language. When keywords like “weapon,” “depression,” or other warning signs are detected, alerts are sent to school staff—allowing educators and counselors to check in and offer support when it’s needed most.

This proactive approach is already making a difference. Across Burke County schools this year, monitoring systems have identified 438 alerts related to suicide content, 192 involving self-harm, and 27 connected to other serious concerns. Each alert represents an opportunity to reach out, connect, and ensure students have the support they need.

Support within schools remains a key part of this effort. Every BCPS school, elementary, middle, and high, has a dedicated counselor available to respond to concerns, follow up on alerts, and guide students toward helpful resources.

Students themselves also play an important role in keeping their school community safe. The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System gives students a way to share concerns confidentially, whether they’re worried about a friend or something they’ve seen. Reports are reviewed quickly and shared with school leaders and, when necessary, law enforcement, so that appropriate support can be provided.

Through the Say Something system, students are encouraged to:

• Speak up anonymously

• Seek help for themselves or others

• Connect with trained responders

• Play an active role in keeping their school safe

  
  

Following the district’s presentation, families learned about local healthcare resources available in Burke County, including Burke Primary Care, High Country Community Health, Burke Medical, Burke County Public Health, and Mountain View Pediatrics. These partnerships help ensure that students and families have access to both physical and mental health care when they need it.

Attendees also reviewed statewide data trends to understand better the challenges facing young people today. Child injury deaths in North Carolina have increased over the past five years, rising 43% since 2019. The number of deaths climbed from 277 in 2019 to a peak of 420 in 2022, followed by a slight decrease to 396 in 2023. While difficult to hear, this

information highlights the importance of early support and strong community involvement.

Another important topic discussed was the role of access to means in youth suicide. Over the past decade in North Carolina, firearms have been the most common method used in child suicide deaths, accounting for approximately 49% of cases. Suffocation or strangulation follows at about 42%. These statistics reinforce the importance of safe storage practices and awareness at home as key parts of prevention.

While schools are taking strong, proactive steps, families remain essential partners, especially when it comes to supporting students at home and online.

To close the evening, families were provided with practical tips for helping children navigate the digital world safely. Parents and guardians were encouraged to stay engaged, set clear expectations, and create an environment where children feel comfortable talking about their online experiences.

Helpful Internet Safety Tips:

• Ask questions regularly about what your child is doing online and who they are connecting with

• Keep devices in shared spaces to encourage transparency and supervision

• Set clear time limits to support healthy routines

• Model positive digital behavior, as children often mirror adult habits

• Check geotagging (location) settings to protect personal information

• Review privacy and sharing settings on apps and platforms

• Use online family protection tools that provide parental controls, enforce time limits, and allow you to monitor or block websites

  
  

The Parent Night served as a meaningful reminder that supporting students takes a team effort. By combining strong school-based systems, access to local healthcare providers, awareness of important trends, and engaged families, Burke County Public Schools continue to build a safe, supportive environment where students can grow, learn, and thrive.

For families who may need immediate support, help is always available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, or by chatting online at 988lifeline.org. Trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide confidential support for anyone in need.

These efforts help ensure that students not only stay safe but also feel seen, supported, and cared for both in school and beyond.

Additional Student Safety & Wellness Resources

Families and students are encouraged to explore additional tools and resources available in Burke County and beyond:

Report a Concern Anonymously:

If you see something concerning or know someone who may need support, submit an

anonymous report through the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System: Tip Form

Access Local Mental Health & Wellness Resources:

Download the B Well Burke App from App Store or The Google Play Store for access to local resources, support services, and helpful information on a variety of health and wellness topics

Need Immediate Help?

Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 for free and confidential support. Chat online at: https://988lifeline.org