October 17, 2022
Volume 10 Edition 12
Midland Public Schools District Vision Statement: Lead with respect, trust and courage. Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture. Enable all to achieve success.
Parent information committee
school safety update
MPS has received a State of Michigan grant that is to be used on school safety initiatives. Over the last decade, MPS has added several school safety components such as: single-point entrances, the Raptor Alert and Safety platform, SROs, ALICE protocols, door boots, video surveillance systems, and SEL Specialists to address student and staff wellness and mental health. In reviewing current trends in school safety, MPS will use grant funding to add weapons detection equipment at our middle and high schools, perform security assessments at each school, and perform critical incident mapping to assist our first responders.
Our implementation of the Evolv Express real-time weapons detection system will be implemented with a “soft start” at each of our middle and high schools on Thursday, October 27th. The “soft start” will involve monitoring or screening small groups of students as they enter school. The screening is frictionless/touchless and requires no emptying of pockets or removal of bags. The system can scan over 3,600 students per hour and should require no standing or stopping as students enter the building. If an item is detected, school personnel will review the item. The “soft start” will allow MPS to learn and adjust procedures and logistics before attempting to screen the entire school population as they enter. Once we are confident with our procedures and staff are fully trained, we will introduce screening at each entrance as students enter at the beginning of the school day.
More specific information about each school’s procedures and what to expect will be shared by the building principal of each middle and high school with students and their families. The Evolv Express weapons detection system is an additional layer of school safety and is not in itself the only solution to school safety. We ask parents to continue discussing school safety and the prevention of critical incidents with their children.
Please click the button below for further information regarding the Evolv Express system.
Congratulations to Aiden S. Porritt for being MHS Commended Student for the National Merit Scholarship!
October mps shining stars
Congratulations to these two Midland Public Schools staff members for being named October Shining Stars! Jillian Dziedzic, Manager of Payroll, Benefits, and Pupil Accounting, and Kelly Skutt, Kindergarten Teacher at Plymouth Elementary. Ms. Dziedzic & Ms. Skutt will receive their Shining Stars at tonight's Board of Education Meeting. Thank you to both of these very deserving Shining Stars for making MPS a better place for students!
October is national principals' month
Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities
As a member of our school community, you are invited to attend a presentation, Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities, to be held Tuesday, November 15, from 4:30-5:45pm (Eastern) via Zoom. The presentation will include:
- An overview of suicide and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents, including risk and protective factors.
- Guidance on identifying suicide risks and warning signs and practical steps to address them, including safety planning in the home.
- Recommended language to use when talking about suicide.
The presentation will be facilitated by Natalie Burns, LMSW, MA. Natalie leads the crisis intervention work at TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students). She has expertise in the assessment and treatment of suicidal youth, psychosocial interventions with children and families, and suicide prevention in K-12 schools. Additionally, she has a background in infant mental health and perinatal mood disorders. Natalie also serves as a senior consultant for the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality where she trains mental health providers across the US and internationally in suicide-specific assessment and intervention. If you have any questions about this training, please contact the TRAILS Trainings Team at trainings@trailstowellness.org. We look forward to your participation on November 15. Use the button below to join the presentation.
Veterans Day Celebration - MHS
Midland High School will be hosting a Veterans Day Celebration on Friday, November 11th. We are excited to welcome local Veterans to come speak to our students about their experiences serving in our armed forces. We need your help reaching local Veterans! Below is a link to a short survey that we would like you to share with any interested Veteran. We are thankful to our Veterans for their service, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting and safeguarding our nation and our freedoms. Thank you for reaching out to local Veterans on behalf of Midland High School! Please use the button below to complete the Veterans Day Survey.