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Michigan Schools Set to Standardize Emergency Response Protocols

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Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, all schools in Michigan will be mandated to adopt standardized emergency response protocols. This initiative aims to eliminate the confusion stemming from varying practices across different districts. The Michigan Department of State Police, alongside the School Safety and Mental Health Commission, is responsible for publishing these regulations by July 1, 2026.

The move comes as many districts, such as the Novi Community School District, have already begun implementing their own emergency response systems. The new standardized terminology will ensure that students, staff, parents, and first responders have a clear understanding of the actions to be taken during emergencies. “A lot of schools have developed their own language. They may have made code words… but the community, law enforcement, or anybody on the outside may not have had a clear idea of what that school was doing,” explained Dennis Huisman, Supervisor of Safety & Security for Novi Community School District.

Currently, terms like “shelter in place” can have varying meanings across districts, leading to potential misunderstandings during critical situations. Huisman, who has extensive experience as a police officer and school resource officer, noted that the same term could indicate an active threat in one area or a response to a tornado or gas leak in another. This inconsistency highlights the need for a unified approach.

Under the new system, schools will utilize five specific response terms: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate, and shelter. These terms will be accompanied by clear definitions and will be prominently displayed in schools throughout the district. Novi’s Village Oaks Elementary School is already preparing for the change. Principal Katy Dingelmann stated that staff will start the year by educating students on the new safety procedures. “We have updated all of our manuals and emergency operating procedures in our classroom go bags,” Dingelmann added.

The proactive safety measures have received positive feedback from educators and parents alike. Erin Laporte, a 4th-grade teacher at Village Oaks and a parent in the district, expressed her confidence in the new protocols. “It makes me very comfortable to know that everybody is on the same page,” she remarked. Similarly, parent Jessica Orlowski, whose children attend Novi schools, conveyed her relief, stating, “My main priority is the safety of my children. To know those practices are going into place makes me feel a lot more safe.”

The intent behind this legislative change is clear: to ensure that regardless of where students attend school in Michigan, they will encounter consistent and comprehensible emergency response terminology. Kim Root, Manager of the Office of School Safety for Michigan State Police, emphasized this goal, stating, “No matter where you go to school or where you teach, there will be standard terminology.”

As Michigan schools gear up for this significant transition, the emphasis on clear communication and unified protocols reflects a commitment to enhancing safety for all students and staff. The hope is that these measures will foster a safer educational environment, reducing the risks associated with emergency situations.

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