School officials urge safety

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

The summer is coming to an end for some metro students. Choctaw students went back to class Monday, Mid-Del schools go back Tuesday, Putnam City and Shawnee schools start Wednesday and students in the Moore district head back to class on Thursday.

Several districts are cutting back on the number of bus routes, which means that more kids will be walking to school this year.

With that in mind, state school officials said they have a way to help keep kids safe.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education wants to remind parents they can report problems in and around their child's school and stay anonymous. All it requires is picking up a phone.

Students and staff at Choctaw Elementary are getting through their first day of school jitters. As the older students settle in, the newer, younger students learn the routine.

To keep students safe and secure, reminders are placed around the school about the state's toll-free, 24-hour safety hotline.

1-877-SAFE-CALL is a number that citizens can call anonymously to report potential dangers or unsafe conditions at their child's school.

Even though the hotline has been in place for 10 years and received more than 6,000 calls, most parents and grandparents were surprised they haven't heard of it before now. 

The hotline is a resource parents are happy to have.

Make a report online, here.