Safety Security Update and Thank You
Dear Parents and Guardians of Holly Area Schools,
Thank you for being our partners in keeping our students and schools safe. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our highest priority at Holly Area Schools. Maintaining safe schools requires more than secure entrances, cameras, trained staff, School Resource Officers, Security Guards, and emergency procedures. It requires all of us—students, staff, families, law enforcement, and our community—working together.
As we continue through the school year, I want to thank our parents and guardians for having important conversations at home that reinforce the safety practices and expectations we teach at school.
School Safety Drills
Throughout the year, our students and staff participate in required safety drills, including fire, tornado, lockdown, and bus evacuation drills. These drills allow students and staff to practice what to do during an emergency so they can respond calmly and appropriately if an actual situation occurs. Our standard response protocol is on our website and has been shared with families via building newsletters.
We understand that conversations about emergency preparedness can sometimes make children uneasy. We thank you for reminding students that drills are a normal part of keeping schools prepared and safe—much like practicing a fire escape plan at home.
Words Matter—even When Said in Jest
Statements involving threats of violence, weapons, or harming another person must be taken seriously—even if the statement was intended as a joke. When potentially threatening comments or gestures are reported, school administrators and law enforcement have a responsibility to investigate them. Our message to students is simple: Think before you speak, post, text, or share. Words matter.
Just as importantly, if a student sees or hears something concerning, we want them to tell a trusted adult. Students should never hesitate to report something because they are uncertain whether it is serious. We would much rather investigate a concern and determine everyone is safe than have something important go unreported. Thank you for continuing to talk with your student about being mindful of the things they say, write, text, post, or share online. Threats and/or suspicious activity can be reported to school or district administration, or by calling the Holly Police Department at (248) 858-4911.
What Comes to School
Students should not bring weapons, replicas, look-alike weapons, or other items that could reasonably create a safety concern or disruption at school. A quick conversation at home—and, particularly with younger students, periodically checking backpacks—can help prevent an unnecessary and potentially serious situation. We also appreciate parents talking with their children about the items they bring to school each day.
Safe Firearm Storage
Michigan law requires schools to provide families with information about the importance of secure firearm storage. Public Act 17 of 2023 requires unattended firearms to be unloaded and locked with a locking device or stored in a locked box or container when it is reasonably known that a minor is likely to be present.
The Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provide families with information about Michigan's secure-storage law, safe storage practices, firearm-safety resources, and guidance for talking with children about firearm safety.
Safe Storage Resources for Families
If there is a firearm in your home, please take the time to ensure it is stored securely and inaccessible to children. Trigger-locking devices are available free of charge by contacting the Holly Police Department at 248.634.8221.
Safety Is a Partnership
Over the years, Holly Area Schools has continued to strengthen safety and security through secure building entrances, classroom security hardware, cameras, staff training, School Resource Officers, emergency planning, threat-assessment procedures, and continued collaboration with law enforcement. But even the strongest physical security measures and procedures work best when paired with informed and engaged students and families.
Thank you for talking with your children about safety drills. Thank you for reminding them that words and online communications have consequences. Thank you for being aware of what they bring to school. Thank you for encouraging them to speak up when something doesn't seem right. And thank you for helping us reinforce the message that keeping our schools safe is a responsibility we all share.
We are grateful for your continued trust, support, and partnership as we work together to provide every Broncho with a safe, welcoming, and supportive place to learn and grow.
Sincerely,
Scott M. Roper, Superintendent
Holly Area Schools