School Safety

Mason Public School (MPS) uses the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for school emergencies. Learn more by watching this short SRP video that explains the safety protocols. 

The SRP uses clear common language to explain five specific actions that can be taken during an emergency. By standardizing the vocabulary, school district officials, staff, students and emergency responders can understand the actions being taken and status of the event.

Staff and students take part in safety drills throughout the year utilizing the SRP to ensure staff and students are familiar with the five actions and what to do in each situation. 

The five SRP actions are:

HOLD In your room or area. Clear the halls.

During “hold”, clear the hallways and remain in the classroom or area until the “all clear” is announced, close and lock doors. Teaching and learning continue as usual.  

SECURE Get inside. Lock outside doors.

During “secure”, return to the inside of building, lock outside doors. Teaching and learning continue as usual, increase situational awareness.  

LOCKDOWN Locks, lights, out of sight.

During “lockdown” move away from sight, maintain silence, do not open the door, recover students from hallway, lock the classroom door, turn out the lights. Do not open the door, ALICE protocol may be initiated depending on the situation.

EVACUATE (A location may be specified)

During “evacuate”, leave student belongings behind, bring phones if possible, students follow staff instructions for evacuation location.

SHELTER Hazard and safety strategy

During “shelter”, use appropriate safety strategy for the type of emergency and follow staff instructions.

How to prepare for emergencies

In the event of an emergency, MPS will use the district’s Skylert system to send messages via email, text and/or phone call to families. To prepare, please: 

• Update your contact information with your school to keep it current.
• Review the opt in information for the Skylert system to ensure you are enrolled to receive all messages.
• Talk to your child about safety and the importance of following instructions. Ask them how their lockdown or drill process works from their perspective. 

What to do in the event of an emergency

In the event of an emergency, it is understandable that families want to communicate with their students as well as receive information as quickly, and completely, as possible. We will communicate with families as quickly as it is safe to do so.  These steps will help keep communication lines open and allow staff to focus on students during an emergency.

• Follow instructions provided in official communication from the school district. Updates will be sent via the district’s Skylert system via call, text and/or email depending on the situation.
• DO NOT come to any school building unless, or until, you are directed to do so.
• Refrain from calling or texting your child. Doing so may put them in danger. Staff will let children know when it is safe to call or text and will direct them to do so.
• Help keep the schools’ phone lines open by not calling buildings to ask for additional information.
• Information about alternate pick-up locations for your child or a change to the schools’ dismissal times will be shared with families via Skylert. 
• Ensure your family’s contact information is always up to date in the school communication system. The email addresses and phone numbers listed in your account will be used to communicate with families in the event of an emergency.

Communication during an emergency

In the event of an emergency, we strive to provide families with information and updates as quickly as possible. Please understand that every event is unique and we will always prioritize safety before communication. 

• Regular, non-emergency communication is generally sent to families after school hours.
• In the event of an emergency situation, information and updates will be provided via email, phone calls and/or text messages during the school day as soon as it is safe for school staff to do so.
• Messages will be delivered using the district message delivery system and it is critical that families and staff keep their contact information updated.
• During an emergency situation, school staff’s first priority is to secure students, staff and buildings. When it is safe to do so, the district will send communication to families.
• The district’s goal is to provide accurate information as quickly as possible.
• Districts will then provide updates as they become available, keeping in mind the district may not have, or may not be able to share, all the details about a situation as law enforcement typically directs communication through an emergency command center.

Mason students and staff in all buildings participate in multiple drills each year for each of the five Standard Response Protocol (SRP) actions- Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter. 

Drills are an essential part of keeping our school community ready for any situation. Drills:

• Building familiarity and “muscle memory” through regular practice to help students and staff respond calmly and efficiently
• Test current procedures and systems and allow us to evaluate and improve our emergency procedures
• Meet required state safety requirements 
• Create confidence through practice. When everyone knows what to do, anxiety decreases and safety increases

Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk to students about drills and can help reinforce the importance of practicing for safety at home. Here are some tips for talking to students:

• Talk with your child often using open-ended questions to understand their thoughts and fears about school safety. Let them guide the conversation so that they feel heard and supported.
• Discuss the purpose of lockdown drills in a calm, reassuring way, comparing them to fire drills. After a lockdown drill at their school, ask about how they felt and offer comfort, while respecting their desire to talk — or not.
• When school violence is in the news, limit media exposure, maintain routines and remind them of the safety measures at their school.
• Additional information and resources are available on The Kids Mental Health Foundation website.
• Contact your students building administrator or the Health Team with additional questions or for more resources.

When are safety drills conducted?

Drills are conducted to allow students and staff the chance to practice taking action no matter where they are in the building or school grounds. They can take place anytime during the school day, including during arrival, dismissal, lunch and recess.

Do staff and students know when a drill will occur?

The first of each drill action is announced to staff, and students are given information to understand what is going to occur before, during, and after the drill. Depending on the age of the students and the type of drill, some drills are unannounced which gives students and staff a chance to test the “muscle memory” associated with a practiced action. Unannounced drills are only conducted after the buildings have had a chance to participate in announced drills of the same type during the school year. 

How do students and staff prepare for drills? 

Before each drill of its kind during the school year, the Safety Team provides scripts for staff to read to students to help explain what will happen during the drill, why the drill is important and any other necessary details about the type of drill being conducted. This advance preparation helps students understand the importance of drills, reduce anxiety and build knowledge and confidence. 

What if students need to be picked up during a drill?

While a building is taking part in a drill it is likely that response to answering the door will be delayed. If possible, buildings will post signage indicating a drill is taking place and parents/guardians should wait outside the building until the drill is completed. 

I’m concerned drills are scaring my student, what can I do?

Safety drills are designed to be calm, age-appropriate learning experiences that build skills and confidence—not anxiety. They help students develop situational awareness and practice responding safely in a variety of situations, skills that can benefit them throughout life. Throughout the year, teachers prepare students by explaining what to expect and reinforcing the importance of following directions and working together to keep our school community safe. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk to students about drills and can help reinforce the importance of practicing for safety at home. Here are some tips for talking to students:

• Talk with your child often using open-ended questions to understand their thoughts and fears about school safety. Let them guide the conversation so that they feel heard and supported.
• Discuss the purpose of lockdown drills in a calm, reassuring way, comparing them to fire drills. After a lockdown drill at their school, ask about how they felt and offer comfort, while respecting their desire to talk — or not.
• When school violence is in the news, limit media exposure, maintain routines and remind them of the safety measures at their school.
• Additional information and resources are available on The Kids Mental Health Foundation website.
• Contact your students building administrator or the Health Team with additional questions or for more resources.

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) is an evidence-based process used to investigate and assess concerning behaviors. The primary goal of BTAM is to evaluate the difference between making a threat and posing a threat to a school community and then to build a management plan that supports the safety of the entire community. The goal is to prevent violence by providing intervention and support for students who are at risk of violence. 

All school districts in Michigan are required by law to have a BTAM team made up of a minimum of a building administrator, a mental health professional and a school resource officer or other law enforcement official. Additional BTAM members may be added including teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses and other school personnel. 

The BTAM process is used to:

• Identify threats and other forms of risk.
• Assess the seriousness of the threat and potential for violence.
• Manage and prevent violence and other adverse outcomes.

MPS Board Policy 8400A further details the steps in the BTAM process, including considerations taken and possible outcomes of the process.