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Vestavia Hills City Schools

Learning Without Limits

Safety and Reporting

Safety and Reporting

If this is an emergency or someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
The Safe School Helpline is monitored around the clock, but it is not an emergency service and does not replace calling 911.

 

Reporting a Concern

Vestavia Hills City Schools is committed to maintaining school environments where students feel safe, respected, and supported. Families, students, and staff are encouraged to report safety concerns early so school leaders can respond, provide support, and help protect student well-being.

If you are unsure whether something should be reported, please reach out. You do not need to determine whether a concern meets a formal definition before asking for help.

 

Safe School Helpline

The Safe School Helpline is available for students, families, and staff to report safety concerns. Reports are shared with appropriate school leaders and school resource officers so concerns can be reviewed and addressed. The Helpline is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by staff who specialize in responding to school safety concerns.

 

Submit a Report to the Safe School Helpline

🔵 Or Call: 800-418-6423, ext. 359 🔵 Or Text: Send the word TIPS to 614-426-0240

 

What Happens After You Report

  • Every report submitted to the Helpline is forwarded to school administrators and, when appropriate, to school resource officers. Reports are reviewed and addressed under the VHCS Code of Conduct and Board of Education policies.
  • Reports may be submitted anonymously.
  • Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith is prohibited. If a student experiences retaliation after making a report, please contact a school administrator or counselor immediately.

What to Report to the Helpline

Use the Safe School Helpline to report concerns such as:

  • Threats of violence or school safety concerns
  • Weapons or dangerous items
  • Bullying, harassment, or intimidation
  • Concerns about self-harm or suicide
  • Substance use or distribution
  • Suspicious behavior or online threats
  • Abuse, neglect, or unsafe situations involving a student
  • Any concern that school leaders need to know about quickly

Bullying, Harassment, and Cyberbullying

Vestavia Hills City Schools is committed to providing school environments where students feel safe, respected, and supported. Families and students are encouraged to report bullying, harassment, cyberbullying, intimidation, threats, or retaliation so school staff can review the concern and determine appropriate next steps. You do not need to decide whether a concern meets a formal definition before reaching out. If something feels unsafe, harmful, or ongoing, please report it through the Safe School Helpline or contact your child's school administrator or counselor.

  • Bullying and harassment can take many forms. Examples include:

    • Repeated teasing, humiliation, intimidation, or threats
    • Physical aggression or unwanted physical contact
    • Social exclusion meant to harm or isolate a student
    • Cyberbullying through texts, group chats, social media, gaming platforms, or shared images
    • Harassment related to sex, race, disability, religion, national origin, or other protected status
    • Sexual comments, sexual rumors, unwanted touching, or inappropriate messages
    • Retaliation after a student reports a concern

    If you are unsure whether something should be reported, please contact your child's school administrator or counselor.

  • The Jamari Terrell Williams Student Bullying Prevention Act provides guidance for Alabama schools related to bullying prevention, reporting, investigation, and response. Vestavia Hills City Schools follows district policy and state requirements when reviewing and responding to bullying concerns.

    Jamari Terrell Williams Bullying Complaint Form (PDF)

    Completed forms should be submitted to the administrator at your child's school.

  • Families may review the district's bullying prevention policy for more information about definitions, reporting procedures, investigation steps, and response expectations. Please see Board of Education Policy 6.10: Student Sexual Harassment and Board of Education Policy 6.24: Jamari Terrell Williams Student Bullying Prevention Act in Section 6 of the Board of Education Policy Manual.

  • You are always welcome to speak directly with someone at your child's school. Administrators and school counselors can answer questions, help you decide whether to file a report, and connect your family with support.

    Contact Your Child's School Phone numbers and email addresses for every VHCS school.

    Student Services District-level support for student well-being, counseling, and mental health.

    Concerns involving discrimination or harassment based on a protected status: Meredith Hanson, Executive Director of Personnel / Section 504 / Title IX Coordinator, 1204 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 205-402-5100

  • The Safe School Helpline is reviewed by school staff and is not a crisis line. If a student is in immediate danger, call 911.

    For immediate emotional or mental health support at any hour:

    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988
    • Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741

    Learn more about district mental health resources on our Suicide Prevention and Awareness and Student Wellness pages.