Dear Employees, Students & Families,

At Albemarle County Public Schools, the safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. We are excited to share two new initiatives to enhance the support and protection of our school community this year:

1. HELPme

We have adopted the HELPme platform by STOPit Solutions to provide our school community—students, staff and families—with a safe and anonymous way to seek support. Available 24/7 through a mobile app and web platform, HELPme offers three ways to ask for and receive help:

• Get Resources: A confidential space to explore essential needs and wellness resources.
• Crisis Text Line: Immediate mental health support from trained crisis counselors, available day or night.
• Ask for Help: An anonymous communication channel with designated school personnel, allowing users to request help for themselves or others without disclosing their identity.

HELPme is available now! We encourage all members of our school community to download the app and utilize its resources. To get started:

1. Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
2. Select your school from the dropdown menu.
3. Accept the Terms & Conditions.

You can also access HELPme through the button on any school homepage or at helpme.stopitsolutions.com/login/albemarle.

We will be providing more information and training to our students and staff on how to use HELPme effectively. You can also view our HELPme flyer for students (also available in Spanish) and our staff flyer, which include links to training videos. For more details, visit our HELPme web page.

2. Lightspeed Alert

We have activated the Alert feature of our internet filtering system, Lightspeed. This tool monitors students’ online activity for signs of self-harm, suicide, drugs, and weapons. Using artificial intelligence, Lightspeed Alert scans activity on school-issued devices and sends real-time notifications to Lightspeed Alert safety specialists. These specialists evaluate alerts and escalate threats for immediate intervention by school safety personnel and law enforcement as needed.

Key benefits of Lightspeed Alert:

• Protects students from harmful content and safety threats online.
• Identifies concerning behaviors to help prevent targeted violence, promote student well-being, and improve school climate.
• Directs mental health resources to those in need.

For more information, view the Lightspeed Alert flyer or visit our Lightspeed Alert web page.

Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our school community. Thank you for your partnership!

Best regards,

Miles Nelson, Coordinator of Mental Health & Wellness
Ralph Bradley, Director of School Safety & Security