School Safety and Security
The safety and security of students is our highest priority. It takes all of us to keep students safe. The district has a director of school safety and security, Ryan Kimball, along with three School Resource Officers (SROs). The SROs are through the Kent County Sheriff’s Department. These individuals routinely visit our schools, interact with staff, students, and families, and help maintain a culture of open communication and safety while building positive relationships with students. Deputy Ben Dunneback services the Northern side of the district, Deputy Cory Czaika services the Eastern side of the district, and Deputy Jim Svoboda services the Central side of the district. All individuals have experience working with school-aged children and are excited about continued opportunities to impact young lives through educational programming and more. Additional information about safety and security can be found in our student handbooks, our required annual notices, and board policy.
Emergency Plans
While everyone hopes that an emergency event will never occur, Forest Hills Public Schools has developed emergency preparation and response plans that can be applied consistently across the district. Our emergency plans have been developed with the assistance of administrators, building staff members, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department (KCSD), school resource officers, KCSD’s emergency management coordinator, local fire chiefs, and the Michigan State Police bomb squad.
Emergency Operations Plans (EOP)
EOPs provide detailed response actions that will be employed to address the broad range of situations that may arise. These confidential documents are used as reference and training tools throughout the district. Responsibilities of administrators, building staff, students, first responders, and parents are outlined along with any preparation and follow-up actions.
Classroom EMERGENCY Reference Guides and Standard Response Protocol
These binders are provided in classrooms throughout the district. They are consistent in their content and contain a tailored egress/shelter map so that all staff members or substitutes who serve in our buildings are able to address hazards that arise and respond accordingly.
The district follows the Standard Response Protocol developed by the I Love You Guys Foundation. They provide the protocol and actions to address five specific areas.
- Quick Reference Guides for our Standard Response Protocol
Visiting our Schools
We welcome and encourage family members to visit their children’s school. Please check with your child’s teacher for the best time to visit. When you arrive, you will have to press the “buzzer” in the school vestibule with a security camera to gain entrance. Then, be sure to sign in with the school secretary and secure a visitor’s pass from the school office. For security reasons, we do not permit unauthorized visitors.
Please Refrain from using Our School Campuses While School is in Session
Please remember that for the safety of our students and staff during the school day and when school is in session, please refrain from being on school grounds and using the playground or outdoor school facilities. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated and plays an essential role in our collective efforts to maintain safe learning environments for students and staff. Should you have any questions, please contact your child’s building principal.
OK2SAY-Michigan’s Student Safety Program
OK2SAY: 24/7/365
Our School Resource Officers and staff remind students that if they see or hear anything suspicious or if they are worried about something, they can always talk to a trusted adult and/ or contact OK2SAY via text, 652729 (OK2SAY), or call 8-555-OK2SAY, or call 911. They can report things anonymously online, too. We encourage families to have conversations about safety and security and to talk to students to speak up if they feel uneasy or hear or see anything that does not make them feel safe.
Safety Drills
All Michigan public schools are required by law to perform fire, tornado, and lockdown drills at prescribed times throughout the year. Records of the drills are also required to be posted for a minimum period of three years. Links to these records can be found below.
Safety on a Daily Basis
Safety and security are often the result of doing the same thing, all the time, in a predictable manner. Below are some guidelines that have been provided to every employee in the district:
- All staff members are required to wear identification and visitors are required to sign in and obtain temporary identification at the front office during normal business hours.
- Exterior doors are to be locked throughout the day during non-arrival and dismissal times.
- Classroom locks are to be left in a locked state so that doors lock on closure.
- Be observant of your surroundings and the people in our buildings and identify any issues that don’t appear to be “normal.”
