Safety & Security

• Automated Phone Call-Out System* — In an emergency, this automated system allows district officials to instantaneously send a recorded phone message to school families by building or across the district (using the phone number on each student’s School Emergency Card) with important information or instructions.

• ParentSquare E-Mail Communications* — In an emergency, ParentSquare allows district officials can send important information and updates directly to parent email addresses. Families are automatically enrolled in the service

• Northville Public Schools website — Emergency information also will be posted as bulletins, with regular updates, on the district website home page (northvilleschools.org).

• Local TV and Radio News Stations — In an emergency, parents also should monitor local TV and radio news stations for regular updates and instructions.

• *IMPORTANT: For these communications systems to work appropriately, it is critical that parents regularly update the phone numbers and email addresses.

We do not make a decision to close school lightly. We value learning, and recognize the impact that cancelling school has on our students and families. The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and families is paramount in any decision to close schools. When a “snow day” or “inclement weather day” is called, it is done as early as possible (before 5:30 a.m. and often earlier, including the night before in some cases.)

The decision is made after much deliberation among district officials who monitor road and building conditions throughout the night in consultation with other area school superintendents and with expert advice from a national meteorologist. The weather conditions and issues taken into consideration in closing schools due to weather include:

• The amount of snowfall and its impact on road (including side roads and dirt roads) and parking lot conditions and the ability to safely transport students to school.
• The timing of a storm and the ability of local road crews and district personnel to clear roads and parking lots in time for the safe transport of students to school.
• Ice or freezing rain and its impact on road and parking lot conditions — as well as the potential for downed trees and power lines — and the ability to safely transport students to school.
• Dangerous temperatures or wind chills that carry a high risk for frostbite in a short period of time. To close school based on cold alone (rather than in conjunction with concerns about road conditions, bus issues or other safety considerations), the actual temperature combined with wind chill considerations are generally greater (colder) than -19 to -22 degrees below zero. This figure is based on the range of temperature/wind chill that carries a higher risk of frostbite at the 30 minute threshold (for exposed skin). For Click on the underlined links for the National Weather Service detailed wind chill chart, along with information and resources for winter weather safety:
  • Cold wind chill chart
  • Winter Safety
• Building problems such as loss of heat, power or water service.

Once a school closing is made the district will provide notification via the district’s parent notification system (Q Communications), which uses contact information within MI-STAR to call, text and/or email parents and guardians with snow day notifications, student attendance issues, building updates and other important information.

School closing announcements are also sent out via ParentSquare, and through radio and television stations that participate in the Detroit Media School Closings Alliance: WJBK-TV (FOX 2), WDIV-TV (Local 4), WXYZ-TV (Channel 7), WWJ-TV (CBS Detroit), WKBD-TV (CW 50), WWJ Newsradio 950 and News/Talk WJR-AM 760.

Although it seldom occurs, it also may be necessary to close school early due to weather. In the event of an early closure, every effort is made to release elementary students no earlier than 3:15 p.m. (normal dismissal is 3:45 p.m.). This may mean that high school and middle school students are released earlier than their normal dismissal times in order to keep the buses running on time for elementary students. Again, notification regarding an early school closure is made as soon as possible by ParentSquare, the district website and local TV and radio stations.

It is important for parents to remember that when deciding whether or no to hold school due to weather and road conditions, school district officials will make the best decision for the entire district. While we do our best to to monitor conditions across our district boundaries, it is not possible to evaluate every road or neighborhood. This is why parents always have the right to make a decision in the best interest of their children and families. If you feel that it is not safe for your child to attend school, you always have the option to keep your child at home.

It also is important for each student to have the necessary outdoor gear to travel to and from school safely and to enjoy opportunities to get outside for recess. The general rule of thumb for outdoor recess at the elementary level is outdoor play whenever the actual temperature and wind-chill are above 0 degrees. There are resources available for those who may find it a hardship to secure the necessary winter gear. Please contact your child’s principal and/or school social worker for assistance.

• All Northville Public School buildings have secured entry vestibules where access to the building is only permitted upon office/administration approval. As the school day begins all buildings are locked down and all visitors are managed through our secured entry system. 

• All visitors during school hours, including parents, are required to sign in at the school office and wear a visitor’s badge at all times while in the building. School staff will direct anyone without proper identification to the office.

• Northville Public School staff monitor the halls of our buildings throughout the school day. The high school also has a Northville Township police officer in the building during school hours.
• Each building is equipped with secure radio systems where staff can communicate with one another and with Central Office. Additionally, all buildings are equipped with two-way Emergency Responder Radio Antenna System (ERRAS) allowing all first-responders full and complete communication with each other and their dispatch at all times.

• All school buses are equipped with communication systems that enable bus drivers to be in constant communication with the district’s Transportation Department as they transport students. 

Michigan's OK2SAY Confidential Safety Tip Line Information

OK2SAY allows students to anonymously report anything that threatens their safety or the safety of others. If you see something, say something. 

Anyone can confidentially submit tips 24/7 using the following tools:

• OK2SAY phone app (search "OK2SAY")
   
• More Information and Resources 
   
• Texting 652729 (OK2SAY)
   
• Email: ok2say@mi.gov
   
• Call: 855-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)

OK2SAY Tip Form

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

As educators, we strive to establish a safe environment for children, advocate for children's needs and work with others invested in the health and well-being of children. We are pleased to

support the Be SMART secure gun storage campaign. The Northville Public Schools' Board of Education passed a resolution in support of gun safety and safe gun storage.

Firearm-related deaths and injuries are a national public health crisis. Firearms are the second leading cause of death among children in the U.S. These deaths are preventable and safe gun storage is a critical component to firearm injuries and deaths. 4.6 million children live in homes with unsecured guns.

The Be SMART campaign was launched in 2015 to promote responsible gun ownership in order to reduce child gun deaths. Whether you're a gun owner, or you know someone who owns a gun, there is a role for everyone in the conversation around secure gun storage. Be SMART is a framework that parents, caretakers, and community leaders can follow to help keep their communities safe. Ultimately, you can help prevent kids from accessing firearms by storing them securely, and encouraging others to do the same. Because children deserve to feel safe, no matter where they are.

Here's how to Be SMART:

S - Secure all guns in your home and vehicles

M - Model responsible behavior around guns 

A - Ask about unsecured guns in other homes

R - Recognize the role of guns in suicide

T - Tell your peers to Be SMART

For more information about the program, visit besmartforkids.org.

Be SMART Secure Gun Storage

In a school emergency, the first instinct as a parent is to pick up the telephone and start calling the school or to rush up to the school and get your children. The truth is, this only complicates matters from a safety and security standpoint. Parents too close to an incident often hinder the rescue attempts of the police and fire officials on the scene.

The best action parents can take in an emergency is to stay close to their phone and e-mail and to monitor local radio and TV reports for regular updates and instruction. You can always review the ways NPS communicates with families by visiting "Communicating with Families" in the menu above

Reunification Process

• A designated location is always established for parents to reunite with their children following an emergency. This may be the school or another location in cases where the school building was evacuated.

• At the reunification site, school administrators and police and fire officials account for students and provide aide to those who need it immediately. Students are released only to authorized individuals listed on their School Emergency Card who show proper identification.

• Following a school crisis, specially trained school and district crisis team members and social workers are available to provide counseling and outside referrals to students, staff members and others who may need it.

Click on the following link to see an individual schools Emergency Drill report.

Emergency Drill Reports