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Michigan School Safety Academy
Last year, the Michigan State Police (MSP) Office of School Safety (OSS) hosted six two-day school safety academies across Michigan. These academies featured expert speakers who helped attendees enhance their knowledge and skills in school safety. Due to the success of these events, the OSS is planning six more academies in 2025, including three basic and three advanced academies. The advanced academies will feature longer sessions and provide more actionable takeaways from the presentations. Planning for the advanced academies is still in the works.
In addition to the two-day academies, the OSS will also host six one-day Youth Violence Prevention Summits this year under the guidance of Col. James F. Grady II. The OSS will collaborate with local intermediate school districts to determine youth participation.
For more information on the upcoming academies, visit the MSP OSS website. Registration details will be available soon. Please note that online registration is required and space is limited.
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Legislative Update
Public Act 270 of 2024, effective April 2, 2025, amends the Revised School Code by adding Sec. 1308d. This amendment requires all public and nonpublic schools in Michigan to adopt and implement a standardized response terminology plan.
Public Act 271 of 2024, effective April 2, 2025, tasks MSP with establishing standardized terminology in collaboration with the School Safety and Mental Health Commission and providing the terminology to public schools, nonpublic schools, and local law enforcement agencies, with a deadline of July 1, 2026.
Public Act 272 of 2024, effective April 2, 2025, amends the Revised School Code to require public and nonpublic schools to ensure each school has a behavior threat assessment and management team. These teams are tasked with, among other things, defining prohibited and concerning behavior; monitoring, assessing, and performing inquiries into concerning behavior; and developing a written plan to assist a student who is engaging in concerning behavior. Schools are required to have these teams operational by October 1, 2026.
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An Important Reminder - You Can Help Keep Kids Safe!
The Michigan Child Protection Law requires that certain individuals, known as mandated reporters, report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect. This includes school administrators, social workers, counselors, and teachers, who are to notify Children’s Protective Services (CPS) when they have concerns.
With just a few months left in the current school year, schools are encouraged to participate in a refresher training for mandated reporters. Training materials, including a training guide, can be found on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) website, along with an updated list of local trainers.
It is important to remember that reporting through the OK2SAY Student Safety Tipline is not sufficient. Proper reports must be submitted directly to CPS via the MDHHS Centralized Intake website or by calling 855-444-3911.
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 Celebrate Bike and Roll to School Day!
Bike and Roll to School Day (BR2SD) is a nationwide event designed to encourage communities to create more walkable spaces by hosting bike-themed activities at local schools. In Michigan, BR2SD is organized by the Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Safe Routes to School Program and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Students, parents, and teachers are invited to get active and join BR2SD on Wednesday, May 7.
For safe and enjoyable walking, biking, and rolling activities, MDOT offers these helpful safety tips:
- Plan your route in advance.
- Always wear a helmet while riding a bike.
- Stay visible by wearing bright, light-colored clothing.
- Stay alert and enjoy the time away from your phone.
- Children can ride their bikes on the sidewalk. If riding in the street, ride with traffic, follow all traffic laws, and use proper hand signals.
- Cross at a crosswalk whenever possible. Only cross when it's safe, make eye contact with drivers, and ensure all vehicles have come to a complete stop before crossing any street.
Participation in BR2SD is free of charge. For more information about the event, promotional resources, and to register a school visit the Safe Routes to School website, Bike and Roll to School Day.
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A Vital Resource for Identifying and Addressing Potential Threats in Schools
Schools can become targets for individuals driven by extremist ideologies or personal grievances. To help keep our students and staff secure, a vital resource is now available, Violent Extremist Mobilization Indicators and the Education Sector. This guide provides critical insights into recognizing potential threats by outlining behavioral indicators and risk factors associated with violent extremism. It is designed to empower our educators and school resource officers to identify and intervene before a situation escalates. Additional resources can be located on the Joint Regional Intelligence Center Resources page.
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Prepare for the 2025-2026 School Year with Summer Planning
Microsoft Teams Live Virtual Training
Please join Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) School Safety on Thursday, May 15 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT for a virtual training on strategies and actions to build stronger emergency plans for kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and districts.
Summer break can be a critical time for assessing and updating emergency plans and procedures for the upcoming school year. This training, specifically geared towards school and district administrators and K-12 emergency managers, will feature a facilitated discussion with school security experts on key emergency planning considerations. The session will include information on the national threat environment, strategies for understanding and addressing local factors and risks, and recommendations on how to incorporate lessons learned from other school incidents and assessments. It will also provide information on how school leaders can plan and prepare for emergencies in a limited resource environment.
Event Details
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When: May 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EDT
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Where: Microsoft Teams Live (access link to be provided to registrants one day in advance of the event)
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Registration: K12summerplanning.eventbrite.com
The subject matter covered during this event will be particularly relevant to school and district administrators, K-12 school security staff, emergency management professionals, school resource officers and school-based law enforcement personnel, state and local law enforcement, parents and guardians, and other members of the school safety community. If you have any questions, please contact CISA School Safety at SchoolSafety@mail.cisa.dhs.gov.
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Safe Gun Storage
Free gun safety locks for distribution to students, families, and staff are available through the MSP Grants and Community Services Division. Please email MSP-SchoolSafety@michigan.gov with the requested amount (in multiples of 25), a contact name, and the name and address of the school. The email must come from the principal or superintendent.
Gun lock installation instructions in both English and Spanish are included with the product and are also available on the Project ChildSafe website.
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Michigan School Resource Officer Grant Program: Success Stories and Culture Changes
The MSP OSS continues to manage the fiscal year 2023 School Resource Officer (SRO) Grant Program, which supports nearly 200 SROs in public schools, districts, and intermediate school districts across the state of Michigan. Many meaningful success stories from grantees about the impacts their SROs are having on students, security, and the culture in their schools and districts have been received. Some themes that emerge from these success stories speak to the widespread and deep impacts Michigan SROs are making in our schools.
Many districts report that the very presence of an SRO in their schools promotes a sense of safety for students, staff, and the community. While some noted their community was initially hesitant about a law enforcement presence inside the schools, witnessing the dedication and compassion of their SRO quickly reversed any initial doubts.
SROs across the state have formed unique, positive relationships with students and in several reported instances over the past few months have been at-risk students’ only confidants. In one such case, a student who was struggling with suicidal ideation approached their SRO for help. Because of the strong relationships and sense of trust the SRO had built with students, and due to the compassionate and responsible actions of the SRO, the student was immediately connected with mental health resources and supports.
In another report, an SRO became a support person for a student struggling with an unhealthy home environment and low grades. The SRO took an interest in getting this child through the school year successfully and as their relationship grew, the SRO was able to serve as a source of knowledge and encouragement to help the student identify meaningful career paths they may want to pursue. Ultimately, the student decided they wanted to join the U.S. Army and will begin basic training soon.
These positive outcomes are two of many that are reported to the OSS regularly. The OSS would like to acknowledge the commitment of the SROs, school personnel, and partnering law enforcement agencies who make this program possible. Their hard work improves the safety and emotional, mental, and physical health of students across Michigan.
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Equip Your School with Essential Safety Resources – Free from OK2SAY
Ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment is a shared responsibility. OK2SAY, Michigan’s student safety program, offers free digital resources to help schools, students, and community leaders promote student safety and encourage open communication.
With these ready-to-use materials, you can make safety a visible priority by encouraging students to speak up and make a difference:
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4K digital signage graphics – Capture attention and raise awareness.
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Website graphics – Seamlessly integrate OK2SAY on school pages.
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Printable posters – Display safety messages throughout your school.
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QR codes – Provide quick access to OK2SAY’s confidential reporting options.
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Social media graphics – Share and spread awareness with just a click.
By utilizing these resources, you help foster a culture of trust, empowering students to report concerns confidentially. Download OK2SAY’s FREE Digital Resources today and take a proactive step toward student safety!
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