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Bennington reports 90 English‑language‑learner students, continued use of Safe2Help reporting system
Summary
Student‑services staff told the board the district serves about 90 English‑language learners, 59 receiving direct services, and reiterated use of the Safe2Help anonymous reporting system, which the district logged about 103 reports on last year.
Bennington Public Schools’ student‑services director updated the board Sept. 8 on English‑language‑learner (ELL) enrollment and the district’s Safe2Help reporting system.
The district said it currently monitors or serves about 90 students in its ELL program; of those, 59 were described as receiving direct services. Administrators noted 31 students scored proficient on the district’s screening last year and were able to test out of ELL services. The most common home languages the district listed were Nepali, Spanish and Karen; staff said the district has supported students speaking roughly two dozen languages.
On safety reporting, the director said Safe2Help is a 24/7 anonymous reporting tool the district uses to receive tips from students and community members. The district reported about 103 Safe2Help reports last year; school staff review each submission and follow up as appropriate, sometimes with a call to parents, immediate phone contact, or a wellness check coordinated with local law enforcement.
The student‑services director said the district prefers to receive reports rather than risk inaction and that follow‑up responses vary by the severity and timing of submissions. Staff said the program reaches beyond normal school hours and that responses may occur overnight or on weekends when a report indicates an imminent safety concern.
