SRP

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Standard Response Protocol

The Michigan State Legislature has passed a law mandating that all K-12 public schools fully implement the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) by the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Overseen by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Michigan State Police, the law establishes a universal, standardized language for crisis management across all districts. This eliminates confusing code words so that students, teachers, and out-of-district law enforcement responders are instantly on the same page during an emergency.

Common Language

That Standard Response Protocol is based on an all-hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. It utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility in protocol.

The premise is simple—there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a "term of art" and is then followed by a "directive". Execution of the action is performed by active participants including students, staff, teachers, and first responders. The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

HOLD

"In Your Classroom or Area"

Students are trained to:

Clear the hallways and remain in their area or room until the "All Clear" is announced.

Adults and staff are trained to:

Close and lock the door;
Account for students and adults;
Do business as usual.

SECURE

"Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors."

Students are trained to:

Return to the inside of building;
Do business as usual.

Adults and staff are trained to:

Bring everyone indoors;
Lock outside doors;
Increase situational awareness;
Account for students and adults;
Do business as usual.

LOCKDOWN

"Look, Lights, Out of Sight"

Students are trained to:

Move away from sight;
Maintain silence;
Do not open the door.

Adults and staff are trained to:

Recover students from hallway if possible;
Lock the classroom door;
Turn out the lights;
Move away from sight;
Maintain silence;
Do not open the door;
Prepare to evade or defend.

EVACUATE

"To a Location"

Students are trained to:

Leave stuff behind if required to;
Follow instructions.

Adults and staff are trained to:

Bring roll sheet and Go Bag (unless instructed not to bring anything with them, dependent on reason for evacuation);
Lead students to Evacuation location;
Account for students and adults;
Report injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.

SHELTER

"State Hazard and Safety Strategy"

Hazards might include:

Tornado
Hazmat
Earthquake
Tsunami

Safety Strategies might include:

Evacuate to shelter area
Seal the room
Drop, cover, and hold
Get to high ground

Students are trained in:

Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies

Adults and staff are trained in:

Appropriate Hazards and Safety Strategies;
Accounting for students and adults;
Reporting injuries or problems using Red Card/Green Card method.

Parent, Guardian, and Student Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: when we have a safety event that may be concerning to students and families, the school will notify parents via email, text, and/or automated voicemail as soon as it is safe for us to do so. In a potential emergency situation, staff need to stay focused on the appropriate law enforcement-determined protocols to keep everyone safe.

When a situation impacts only a single class or one or two buildings, we may only notify those who are directly impacted. An example might be when students see an ambulance or firetruck on the premises that aren't on site for educational purposes, we will send out a message so families know what their students may have seen and/or be talking about.
We are bound by law and by consideration for our families to maintain everyone's privacy. This may impact the amount and details of information that we can share.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Parent Guidance

SECURE: "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors."

SECURE is called when there is something dangerous outside of the building. Students and staff are brought into the building and the outside doors will be locked. Inside, it will be business as usual.

Question: Should parents come to the school during a SECURE event?

Answer: Probably not. Every effort is made to conduct classes as normal during a secure event. Additionally, parents may be asked to stay outside during a SECURE event.

Question: What if parents need to pick up their student?

Answer: Depending on the situation, it may not be safe to release the student. As the situation evolves, SECURE status might change to a MONITORED ENTRY and/or CONTROLLED RELEASE.

Question: Will parents be notified when a school has a SECURE event?

Answer: When a SECURE event is brief or the hazard is non-violent, such as a wild animal on the playground, there may not be a need to notify parents when SECURE is in place. With longer or more dangerous events, the school will notify parents via email, text, and/or automated voicemail that the school has increased their security.

LOCKDOWN: "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight."

A LOCKDOWN is called when there is something dangerous inside the building. Students and staff are trained to enter or remain in a room that can be locked, and maintain silence. A LOCKDOWN is only initiated when there is an active threat inside or very close to the building.

Question: Should parents come to the school during a lockdown?

Answer: The natural inclination for many parents is to go to the school during a LOCKDOWN. That's understandable, but can be problematic. If there is a threat inside the building, law enforcement will be responding. It is unlikely that parents will be granted access to the building or even the campus. If parents are already in the school, they will be instructed to LOCKDOWN as well.

Question: Should parents text their students?

Answer: The District recognizes the impulse to connect with your students during a LOCKDOWN event for information and reassurance. However, federal guidance emphasizes that dangerous situations can evolve quickly and that immediate, orderly action can save lives. During this initial period, students need to focus on following directions from school staff and emergency responders, remaining quiet, and securing their location rather than communicating with others outside the school. As the situation resolves, students may be asked to update their parents on a regular basis.

Question: What about unannounced drills?

Answer: The school may conduct unscheduled drills, but they will always be announced as a drill to reduce stress for students and adults. Drills are used to create the "muscle memory" associated with a practiced action. There is no simulation of an event; this is simply performing/practicing the appropriate actions.

Question: Will the district be conducting safety drills on these new protocols?

Answer: The District's safety protocols are not changing; the terminology used is being standardized. We will continue to conduct required safety drills while we shift to the updated, standardized response language.