Safe Schools
PHYSICAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY: Emergency Response, Suicide Risk Assessment & Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management
Zeeland Public Schools is committed to ensuring the physical and psychological safety of all students, staff, and school communities. Creating and maintaining a secure learning environment is essential to our mission of teaching, learning, and supporting student success.
All schools within ZPS have trained suicidal risk and behavioral threat assessment teams. These teams use evidence-based tools to assess concerning statements, behaviors, or situations that may indicate a risk of harm to self or others. The role of these teams is to carefully evaluate the level of concern, determine appropriate next steps, and take actions necessary to protect students, staff, and the school environment.
Risk and threat assessment processes are treated as confidential by those involved. While specific details cannot always be shared publicly, families and staff can expect that relevant information will be communicated when needed to support safety.
If a risk or threat assessment is initiated, immediate safety measures may be required. These can include, when appropriate, the temporary removal of a student from the educational setting while an assessment is underway. Assessment teams are also trained in safety planning, intervention, and monitoring procedures to help ensure a safe and supportive environment if and when a student returns.
Our goal is always two-fold: to maintain safety for all and to provide students the support they need to be successful in schools.
ZPS encourages students and families to collaborate with the District in reporting statements, social media posts, or other information that may pose a threat to the school community. Students are advised to share such information with a parent/guardian, trusted adult, or utilize OK2SAY to report tips.
OK2SAY
OK2SAY is Michigan’s student safety program that allows anyone to confidentially report tips about threats to student safety and well-being. The goal is to prevent tragedies before they happen by giving students, parents, and community members a safe place to share concerns.
What to report? Threats of violence, bullying or cyberbullying, suicidal thoughts or self-harm, sexual assault or harassment, drug or alcohol use at school or school events, child abuse or neglect, human trafficking, or other suspicious or concerning behavior.
How to report?
Reports can be made 24/7/365 in the following ways:
Call: 855-565-2729 (855-OK2SAY)
Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)
Online: ok2say.state.mi.us
Email: OK2SAY@mi.gov
Mobile App: Download the OK2SAY app for Apple or Android devices
Reports can be made anonymously, and all information is immediately forwarded to the appropriate school administrator(s) and law enforcement officials for action.
Standard Response Protocol
STANDARD RESPONSE PROTOCOL:
Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a physical safety protocol implemented and reinforced across all buildings. SRP provides simple, consistent language for responding in various situations. When students and staff use the same protocols and practices, it creates consistency and a greater sense of security. We work in close partnership with our local first responders and are thankful for their support and collaboration. Please ask your child about SRP so that safety becomes a shared conversation at home and school. If you have additional questions or would like to learn more, please contact your building principal. You can view the SRP for ZPS here:
Bullying Policy at ZPS
Student Bullying Policy
The Board recognizes that bullying and cyberbullying significantly interfere with the learning process. Through this Policy, the Board prohibits bullying "at school," as well as off-campus conduct that is likely lead to a material or substantial disruption of the school learning environment for one or more students.
This Policy is intended to protect all students from bullying, including cyberbullying, regardless of the subject matter or motivation for the behavior. The Board, through this Policy, also prohibits retaliation or false accusations against a target of bullying, as well as a witness or another person with reliable information about an act of bullying. The identity of an individual who reports an act of bullying shall remain confidential. The Superintendent will promulgate administrative regulations to implement this policy.
School Resource Officers at ZPS
In partnership with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department and the City of Zeeland Police Department, the primary focus of our School Resource Officers is the safety and security of the school campus. Well-publicized national events have demonstrated the need for the development of safety strategies and event crisis management to ensure the well-being of students and staff members. School Resource Officers remain highly visible and assist in proactive problem-solving to prevent or limit significant events from occurring on school grounds while also developing positive relationships with ZPS students, staff, and families.
Ottawa County Sheriff Deputy David Thompson
dthompson@zps.org (ZPS Schools outside the City of Zeeland)
Zeeland Police Dept Officer Dylan Ousley
dousley@zps.org (Early Childhood Center, Lincoln, and Cityside)
Safety Drill Log
Safe Homes, Safe Schools: Safety Information for Families
Safe Homes, Safe Schools: Safety Information for Families
As part of Michigan’s Safe Homes, Safe Schools legislation, beginning October 2025, schools are required to share information with families each year about safe firearm storage and harm prevention. This effort is aimed at increasing awareness and reducing the risk of unintentional injuries.
We encourage all families to review the following resources provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS):
Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our schools and community safe.
Resources
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Support:
Your mental health matters. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org to connect with trained counselors who can listen, provide support, and help you find resources.
National Human Trafficking Hotline:
Human trafficking is a crime where people profit from the exploitation of children, adolescents, and adults. If you need help, or believe someone else needs help, please call 1-888-373-7888, or text 233733 to access The National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Sextortion:
Sextortion is a criminal act and a form of sexual exploitation. It may involve coercing a minor using, or threatening to use, images/videos previously obtained to demand additional images/videos that are sexual in nature. Additionally, it may involve the use of deception and manipulation to obtain sexually explicit images/videos to extort minors for money. To report suspected sextortion, or get help from law enforcement, call the local FBI office at (616)456-5489 or call toll-free: 1-800-225-5324