Safe Schools Week: October 18-22, 2021
Dear Berkley Schools Community,
The school year is off to a great start. Children are learning in all buildings, sports teams, clubs and activities are up and running and the fall season appears to be settling in this week.
As you know, safety is a top priority for the Berkley Schools, and is an overriding concern for students, parents and the community. As such, we are hosting a Safe Schools Week next week in all our schools. We also will be testing our communications system to ensure we can reach all of you in the event of a real emergency. Please see details below to learn all about Safe Schools Week.
Safe Schools Week
Next week, October 18-22, each school will participate in a safety drill on the day of their choice. Throughout the year, schools practice at least 10 emergency drills each year. During next week’s drill, teachers will talk to students about lockdowns, building evacuations and reinforce any changes from years past. The message will differ according to the age level of the students. Our intent is to let students know that in the event of an emergency they should follow the direction of their teacher. In a real emergency, the teacher, using what they have learned in the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training, may evacuate the class or the teacher may do a traditional lockdown. We will reassure students that our schools are safe and the adults in the schools will continue to do all they can to make sure each child is safe. We'll also remind students that if they feel unsafe for any reason, they should let an adult know as soon as possible. Reinforcing this message at home is a great idea.
Communications System Test
On Wednesday, October 20, we will also test our communications system, School Messenger®. We will send a test phone call, text message and email to all primary contacts in MISTAR. If you have signed up for text messages, phone calls and/or emails from us, you can expect to get these messages on Wednesday, October 20, around 6 pm. It is not necessary to call us to tell us you got the messages.
Opt-In to Text Messages
In order to receive text messages from the District or your school, you must opt in. Text messages will be sent out when the District closes or there is an emergency situation. Texts may also be sent from the District and schools for reminder messages during the day that are not urgent. In order to receive text messages, every parent/guardian must opt-in each cell phone listed in MISTAR. SchoolMessenger® is compliant with the Student Privacy PledgeTM, so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone. To Opt-In: Text the word YES (in the Message field) to the phone number 67587 (in the To field). If you’ve done this in past years, you don’t need to do it again.
The Berkley School District is always evaluating the safety measures we have in place to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep our students safe. Our current safety measures include ALICE training, trauma kits, all secretaries, custodians and administrators have up to date training in CPR/AED, stop the bleed training, regular and random police visits, locked doors at all times during the school day, security cameras, secure entrances, social and emotional wellness programs, calming spaces in our buildings and classrooms, and, most importantly, getting to know and love all our students.
I am very confident in saying that our schools have never been safer, but please know that as members of the community we all have a role to play in school and student safety. Please report to public safety officials or to school officials anything that may cause you concern. Please encourage your children to always talk to a trusted adult when something doesn't seem right or if they have any concerns about their safety or the safety of others. And, if they’d rather stay anonymous, please encourage your child to report to OK2SAY. OK2SAY is a state-wide tip line and encourages confidential tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees or schools. Their phone number is 855-565-2729 (8-555-OK2SAY). Their text number is 652729 (OK2SAY) and their email is OK2SAY@MI.GOV.
As always, thank you for your support and for all you do to make our community and our schools great!
Sincerely,
Scott Francis
Superintendent
Berkley Schools
