District introduces tip line for students in need

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Photo illustration by Aparnna Manoj

The Hawk Tip Line is open to students, faculty and staff to report bullying, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, dating or family violence, weapons, drugs, threats and alarming behavior.

The Hawk Tip Line, (972) 821-1567, was implemented this past month by the district in each high school. The line is open to students, faculty and staff to report bullying, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, dating or family violence, weapons, drugs, threats and alarming behavior.

“[Within the past month,] we have had some tips,” principal Scot Finch said. “We’ve probably had upwards of 10 tips. Some things can be figured out, some things can’t; [it] depends on the amount of information people leave on there.”

Callers leave a voicemail and school resource officer Kevin Stiles receives the tips. Finch hopes the line will continue to be used by people in the future. While calls can be anonymous, Finch said that could hamper the school’s investigation if enough information is not provided.

“With everything going on in the United States and people being fearful, every high school has their own tip line, not just one tip line for the whole district,” Finch said. “Sometimes students are fearful of reporting things so maybe through an anonymous tip line, there [are] some things that can be done.”