The best approach to school safety involves many layers of protection – beginning with prevention.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Pascoe said education for both adults and students is the first step in proactively keeping kids safe in our schools.
Part of that ongoing education is continual training on the multifaceted aspects of school safety.
“We are doing our best to continue to learn and continue to add layers to keep us all safe,” he said.
Pascoe, who oversees the instructional side of PPS, presented to the District’s newest teachers on everything from how staff can prevent an emergency by intervening before dangerous actions are taken to how PPS would respond in the event of an emergency.
PPS follows ALICE for active intruder training. School staff partner with our School Resource Officers and the Portage Department of Public Safety to hold drills several times per year to help both staff and students understand and get comfortable with the action steps laid out in ALICE.
But school safety really begins at prevention.
Administrators, counselors, psychologists and others make up what Pascoe calls a multi-disciplinary team that utilizes Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines, or CSTAG, to address and document threats made by students.
Students who suggest any intended harm toward themselves or their classmates are identified and the team works to assess the nature of the threat.
Another important tool in preventing school violence is to monitor students’ online activity. A system flags key words or concerning searches and gives administrators a chance to intervene. This system has helped the school partner with families to alert them of students who may be facing thoughts of self harm or other struggles.
Mental health is an important factor when preventing violence, and mental health supports are available across the District, connecting students who may be in crisis with the appropriate help. The District’s Coordinator of School Mental Health Marianne Mildenberg can also connect students with outside organizations.
“Keeping our schools safe requires a proactive approach by everyone – school administrators, teachers, mental health experts, families and students,” Pascoe said. “Students are the front line defense and play a vital role in speaking up when they hear something concerning from a peer.”
The District participates in the Michigan State Police Ok2Say program which is a hotline where students can text or call to report anything that could threaten their safety at school.
Other efforts by PPS include investing in security cameras that monitor the interior and exterior of our buildings and secure vestibules and entrances at each school campus.
PPS was also awarded a grant for door barricade devices and utilizes the help of Police K-9 units to detect drugs, weapons or other contraband in students' vehicles or lockers.
Pascoe credits a collaborative working relationship with the Portage Police Department, including our SROs, for a comprehensive approach to school safety.
“I know they would be here in a heartbeat, if we needed them in a true emergency,” he said. “I hope we never have to call upon them.”