District Safety & Security Initiatives
District Safety & Security Initiatives
At Goodrich Area Schools, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and visitors is our highest priority. We are committed to providing safe, secure, and welcoming learning environments where every student can learn, grow, and succeed. School safety is a shared responsibility that involves our students, families, staff, community partners, and local first responders. Our district takes a comprehensive approach to safety by combining prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts with ongoing training and continuous improvement.
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Our district regularly reviews safety procedures, evaluates facilities and security measures, conducts training with staff, and partners with local public safety agencies to strengthen our preparedness and response capabilities. We continually assess and enhance our practices to meet evolving safety needs while maintaining schools that are welcoming, supportive, and focused on learning.
While we believe in being transparent about our commitment to school safety, we do not publicly share specific security procedures or operational details that could compromise the effectiveness of our safety measures.
Reporting Safety Concerns
We encourage students, parents, staff, and community members to report safety concerns promptly. In addition to contacting school administrators or local law enforcement, Michigan families have access to OK2SAY, the confidential student safety reporting program administered by the Michigan State Police Office of School Safety. OK2SAY provides a safe and confidential way to report concerns involving threats, bullying, self-harm, violence, or other situations that could impact school safety.
Together—with our students, families, staff, and community partners—we remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and secure environment where every student has the opportunity to learn and thrive.
In alignment with Michigan school safety requirements and guidance from the Michigan State Police Office of School Safety, our district maintains a comprehensive safety program that includes the following safety and security initiatives and protocols:
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All visitors are required to enter through designated entrances, report to the main office, sign in, and follow district visitor protocols before entering the building. These procedures help us account for everyone in our schools and provide an added layer of security for students and staff.
Visitor Check-In:
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All visitors must enter through the main entrance of the school, Door #1, or the Central Office Door #37.
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Upon arrival, visitors are required to check in at the front office. Please be prepared to present a valid photo ID at the secure entrance camera before you will be granted access to the school office.
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Visitors will be issued a visitor badge, which must be worn at all times while on school premises.
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Volunteers should complete an iChat form in advance if you plan to attend class parties, field trips, or other school-events that bring you in contact with students.
Access Control:
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Our schools are equipped with secure entry systems. Visitors will be asked to identify themselves and state the purpose of their visit through an intercom system before being granted access to the building.
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Access to classroom areas will be restricted during school hours. Visitors will be escorted to and from their destinations by school staff.
Visitor Guidelines:
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For the safety of all, we ask that visitors limit their movement within the school to the areas necessary for their visit.
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Unauthorized visitors are strictly prohibited. Anyone found on school grounds without proper authorization will be asked to leave immediately.
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Please do not ask students or staff to open a door. They have been instructed not to do so. Please enter through the building’s Door #1 at the Main Office.
Emergency Protocols:
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In the event of an emergency, visitors must follow the instructions of school staff and adhere to all emergency procedures.
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Visitors may be required to participate in lockdown or evacuation drills if they are present during these times.
Special Events:
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For larger events, such as school assemblies or parent-teacher conferences, specific entry and exit procedures will be communicated in advance. Please complete an iChat form in advance, if necessary.
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Additional security measures may be implemented for special events as needed.
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Goodrich Area Schools utilizes strategically located surveillance cameras across our campuses to enhance the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors. These cameras serve as a deterrent to misconduct and provide valuable documentation in the event of incidents, allowing us to respond quickly and effectively to any concerns. The presence of surveillance systems is part of our comprehensive approach to maintaining a secure learning environment where everyone can focus on education with peace of mind.
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Our district utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation, providing a nationally recognized and consistent approach to responding to emergencies. The SRP establishes a common language between schools and first responders, allowing students and staff to respond quickly and effectively during emergency situations. Students and staff will be training, practicing, and drilling the protocol throughout the school year.
For More information, visit the Standard Response Protocol page of our district website at:
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Site assessments are comprehensive evaluations of our school facilities and grounds to identify potential safety vulnerabilities, security gaps, and areas for improvement. Conducting these assessments annually is critical because it allows us to address evolving safety concerns, maintain compliance with best practices, and ensure that our physical security measures remain effective over time. By regularly reviewing our campuses through this systematic process, we can proactively mitigate risks and make informed decisions about upgrades and modifications that enhance the protection of our students and staff.
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Our district is proud to have a School Resource Officer (SRO) on site through our partnership with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, providing a visible security presence and building positive relationships with students and staff.
The SRO serves as a law enforcement liaison, helping to maintain a safe campus while also serving as a resource for safety education, crime prevention, and emergency response coordination. This collaboration with the Genesee County Sheriff's Office ensures that our schools benefit from professional security expertise while fostering trust and communication between our school community and local law enforcement.
Currently, Deputy Jill Worden serves as our School Resource Officer.
As part of our ongoing commitment to school safety, we have also partnered with Premier Security Guards to provide an added layer of support and visibility at Goodrich High School and Goodrich Middle School, helping maintain a safe and welcoming environment for students, staff, and visitors.
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Goodrich Area Schools is required to conduct safety drills throughout the school year to ensure students and staff are well-prepared in the event of an emergency. Per Michigan Public Act 12 of 2014, schools must conduct the following safety drills annually:
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5 fire safety drills per school year, with three occurring by December 1.
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2 tornado safety drills per school year, with at least one taking place in March.
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3 lockdown drills, with one drill conducted during a lunch-recess period, or at another time when a significant number of the students are gathered but not in the classroom. At least one drill must take place by December 1 and at least one drill must be held after January 1.
Drills conducted throughout the year at Goodrich Area Schools may be found in the Safety Drills section of our website.
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Michigan's Secure Firearm Storage Law: What Parents Should Know
The safety of our students extends beyond the school day. Michigan law requires firearm owners to securely store firearms when children may be present, helping prevent unintentional injuries, theft, and unauthorized access.
Michigan's Secure Storage Law (Public Act 17 of 2023) requires that when a firearm is left unattended and the owner knows or reasonably should know that a minor (under age 18) is or is likely to be present, the firearm must be stored in one of the following ways: (Michigan Legislature)
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Stored in a locked safe, gun safe, or other locked container, or
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Unloaded and secured with a locking device, such as a cable lock or trigger lock, making it inoperable except by the owner or an authorized user. (Michigan Legislature)
In addition, firearm owners are encouraged to:
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Store ammunition separately from firearms.
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Keep firearm keys or lock combinations inaccessible to children.
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Talk with children about firearm safety and never handling a firearm without adult supervision. (GovDelivery)
Michigan law establishes penalties if a minor gains access to an improperly stored firearm and causes injury, death, or uses it in the commission of a crime. (Michigan Legislature)
As part of Michigan's commitment to school and community safety, all public school districts are required to provide families with information about the state's firearm storage requirements and resources for obtaining gun locks and safes. (Michigan Legislature)
Families looking for additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions and locations offering free or low-cost gun locks, can visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Secure Storage webpage.
Together, we can help keep our children, schools, and communities safe.
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We encourage students, parents, staff, and community members to report safety concerns promptly. In addition to contacting school administrators or local law enforcement, Michigan families have access to OK2SAY, the confidential student safety reporting program administered by the Michigan State Police Office of School Safety. OK2SAY provides a safe and confidential way to report concerns involving threats, bullying, self-harm, violence, or other situations that could impact school safety.
Ways to Submit a Confidential Tip
Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
Call: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
Email: OK2SAY@mi.gov
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Our district maintains and annually reviews a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that outlines protocols and procedures for responding to a wide range of potential emergencies, from weather-related incidents to security threats. Developed in cooperation with the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD), the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Atlas Twp Fire Department and local EMS, this plan ensures that our staff are trained and prepared to act quickly and effectively to protect students and staff during any crisis situation. Having a coordinated EOP in place means that our schools can respond with clarity and confidence, minimizing confusion and maximizing safety when every second counts.
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Goodrich Area Schools has installed a secure door access system to control and monitor who enters our buildings, creating a safer environment for all students and staff. By requiring visitors to be identified and granted entry through a single, supervised point of access through our building offices, we can prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the school while quickly responding to any security concerns.
We appreciate your patience when asked to present identification — this brief step ensures that we verify every visitor's identity before granting entry, which is essential for maintaining the security and well-being of everyone in our school community.
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The district follows established behavioral threat assessment procedures when reports of concerning behavior or potential threats are received. A multidisciplinary team evaluates each situation individually, collaborates with appropriate agencies when necessary, and develops intervention and support plans focused on maintaining a safe learning environment. This process reflects best practices recommended for Michigan schools and emphasizes both safety and early intervention
