School Safety Resources
OK2SAY is a statewide student safety program which allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment.
A founding principle of National PTA’s mission is to promote the safety and well-being of all children and youth. All students and educators have a right to attend schools that are safe and conducive to learning and achievement, yet schools are experiencing increasingly frequent incidents that are having a devastating, long-term impact on students, parents, educators, and the community.
School safety is a multi-faceted issue with no one clear solution for each community.
Michigan State Police Office of School Safety
Michigan.gov School Safety
10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Violence in Your School Community
Children are aware of what is happening in the world around them. Parents and educators cannot assume that children are unaffected by global events. When frightening or violent incidents occur, such as man-made or natural disasters, both children and adults may experience a range of emotions including fear, confusion, sadness, and anger.
To counteract fear and give reassurance, parents, teachers and daycare providers can provide opportunities for children to express how they feel and channel their feelings into positive actions.
Discussions between adults and children in difficult situations can be an opening for reinforcing family and community values, beliefs and traditions. To learn more, take a look at the following advice.
Safe and Sound Schools has compiled comprehensive school safety resources that address preparedness strategies for hazards including:
- Mental and behavioral health
- Health and Wellness
- Physical safety and security
- Culture, climate and community
- Leadership, law and policy
- Operations and emergency management
The Be SMART campaign was launched to raise awareness that secure gun storage—storing guns locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition—can save children’s lives. Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns, and that every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safer.