Safety & Compliance – Harper Woods School District

Overview

Safe, equitable, and inclusive schools

The Harper Woods School District is committed to promoting a District that is free from abuse, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We engage collaboratively with our stakeholders to remove barriers to academic programs and activities to provide an equitable, inclusive, and safe learning and work environment. We work together to safeguard civil rights and to positively impact the District’s students and employees.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

HWSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinator: Frederick Payne, 586-209-2400, frederick.payne@hwschools.org, 19851 Anita St, Harper Woods, MI 48225.

School Safety & Drill Reports

Preparing students to respond with confidence.

Thank you for choosing the Harper Woods School District to provide educational services for your child. The safety of your child, as well as all students and staff in our schools, is of utmost importance to us. To ensure a secure learning atmosphere, we undertake practice drills of our emergency and crisis response plans throughout the school year.

Fire Drills — 5 per year

Each school conducts five fire drills throughout the school year, in accordance with Michigan Public Schools requirements. Our objective is to help students recognize the importance of these drills and to alleviate any anxiety they may feel when the fire alarm rings.

Tornado Drills — 2 per year

We conduct two Shelter-in-Place drills each school year. The purpose of these drills is to prepare for moving to a secure location within the building in the event of severe weather or tornadoes.

Lockdown Drills — 3 per year

Each school carries out three lockdown drills at various times during the school year. These drills secure the school building and provide safe shelter for all students, staff, and visitors. During a lockdown drill, all perimeter doors are locked and remain so until the situation is resolved.

Working together

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work together to keep our learning environment safe for everyone. Questions about drills or building safety can be directed to your school’s main office or to the Central Office.

Drill compliance reports

Family resources

McKinney-Vento Program

Educational rights and protections for students experiencing homelessness.

Homeless children and youth often have problems enrolling and participating in school as a result of their living situation. A federal act was put in place to ensure educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Congress passed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act in 1987; Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; reauthorized by Title X, Part C of ESSA.

In compliance with federal law (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 — Pub. L. 100-77, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 482, 42 U.S.C. § 11301 et seq.), it is the policy of the Harper Woods School District to provide free and appropriate education for all children. Homeless children and youth must be given full opportunity to meet state and local academic achievement standards without barriers.

The Harper Woods School District will ensure homeless children and youth are free from discrimination, segregation, and harassment because of their homeless status.

The major tenets of the McKinney-Vento Act

Immediate school access (removal of barriers to enrollment)
School stability
Support for academic success
Child-centered, best interest decision making
Critical role of the local homeless education liaison

External referral form

If you know a student who may qualify for services under McKinney-Vento and you are a student, parent/guardian, or community agency, please complete the external form.

McKinney-Vento External Referral Form

Program details

Full policy language, the definition of “homeless children and youth,” and liaison contact information.