Hitchcock Independent School District in Hitchcock, Texas has deployed a new anonymous tipping system that allows students to "text" in their tips to school principals. With a regular cell phone, students and others can submit tips by sending a standard text message to the school's keyword. The district has one keyword for each school's campus, plus another keyword for the district office. Hitchcock ISD purchased the tip service, called uTip – The Bully Buster, from e2Campus at no cost for the first year and no obligation to renew a second year.
"We haven't had too many issues, but we are trying to be proactive about bullying," said Chris Armacost, technology director at Hitchcock ISD. "I see uTip as a practical tool that can be used right away to do something about bullying, because most kids have cell phones these days.
"It gives students a relevant way to make a difference. They can report anything they see, whether it's bullying, drugs, or whatever. And, they can report things anonymously, so they don't have to worry about their friends seeing them go into the office.
