Back-to-School Safety: Working Together for a Safe School Year

• At Holland Public Schools, safety is a shared responsibility. It takes teachers, staff, students, parents,families, and our community working together to create schools where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

A Few Simple Things Can Make a Big Difference

Know the ExpectationsEvery school has procedures designed to help keep students and staff safe. Take some time to review theinformation your school provides about arrival and dismissal, visitor procedures, emergency drills,transportation, and other safety expectations. 

• For students, knowing what is expected—and following those expectations—helps everyone respond moreeffectively when something unexpected happens.

Speak Up

One of the most important parts of school safety is communication.If you see something that doesn't seem right, hear something concerning, or are worried about a friend orclassmate, tell a trusted adult. That might be a teacher, counselor, principal, school staff member, parent,or another adult you trust. You can also report things anonymously to Ok2say  or Silent Observer. 

• Speaking up doesn't mean you are getting someone in trouble. It means you are helping take care of yourschool community.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Whether you are walking through the hallways, arriving at school, attending an athletic event, orparticipating in an after-school activity, pay attention to what is happening around you.Students and staff should also remember to keep exterior doors secured and follow building procedures forvisitors. 

Small actions like these contribute to the overall security of our schools.

Practice Emergency Procedures Seriously

Throughout the school year, students and staff will participate in drills. While we hope we never have to usethese procedures during a real emergency, practicing helps us know what to do if the need ever arises.

Please take drills seriously, listen to staff instructions, and ask questions if you don't understand what youare supposed to do.

Safety Is More Than Security

When we talk about school safety, we aren't only talking about locks, cameras, drills, and emergencyprocedures.Safety also means creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking for help, where staff look out for one another, and where everyone treats others with respect.

• A safe school is a place where students can learn, grow, make friends, participate in activities, and feel like they belong.

A Message to Our Students

As you return to school, remember that you are an important part of school safety.Look out for one another. Make good choices. Follow school expectations. If you see something concerning,say something to a trusted adult. And most importantly, remember that asking for help is always okay.

A Message to Our Families

Parents and guardians play an important role as well. Please make sure your contact information is currentwith the school, review school communication and safety information, and talk with your children about theimportance of speaking up when something concerns them.We also ask families to be patient and attentive during arrival and dismissal. The extra seconds you gainfrom being aggressive is not worth the injury or death you may cause a student. Following traffic patterns,using designated areas, and paying attention around school entrances helps keep everyone safe.

Looking Ahead

My goal as the Director of Safety and Security is to work with our students, staff, families, and community to continually strengthen the safety of Holland Public Schools. Making HPS Right for Me. 

• Safety isn't something that one person or one department can accomplish alone. It is something we buildtogether for our students—every day.

As we begin a new school year, let's make it a great one: safe, welcoming, respectful, and focused onhelping every student succeed.Welcome back, Holland Public Schools! Here's to a safe and successful school year.

GO DUTCH!!!,

Mike Roelofs, Director of Campus Security

616.494.2427