Dear Granite School District Parents,

In our August Parent Link, we included information about Granite School District’s updated emergency response protocols. 

Given recent national events, we would like to remind you how we prepare and train for emergency events in our schools. Please know that the safety and security of every Granite student is our top priority. 

Here are some reminders of the key changes to our emergency protocols:

• There is a new protocol called “Hold.” If there is a situation that requires students and staff to remain in their classrooms or stay out of certain areas, school administration will issue a Hold. Examples would be an altercation in the hallway between students, a student or staff member experiencing a medical incident, or a temporary maintenance issue. These situations are minor disruptions and might not always warrant a message to parents.
• What was previously named the “Lockout” protocol will now be named “Secure.” This is the most common type of emergency protocol and usually happens when there is police activity in the neighborhood near a school. During a Secure, students and staff are brought inside the building and all exterior doors are locked. School activities are allowed to proceed as normal inside the school. Parents and visitors will not be allowed on the campus until the protocol is lifted.

Click here to watch a short video that explains all the protocols in full. 

In Granite School District we are fortunate to employ our own 26-member police force that provides full-time security and law enforcement to our campuses. This is especially critical for places where the local municipality does not have a School Resource Officer in place. A police presence on campus mitigates many criminal activities on school property. Granite Police, in conjunction with allied law enforcement agencies, are continuously evaluating and making necessary adjustments to our safety and security measures. 

Student reporting continues to be our most effective protection against unsafe behaviors. Please continue to discuss with your families the ability to report unsafe behavior anonymously through the SafeUT app or by text to (801) 664-2929. 

Lastly, we encourage parents to talk with their children about tragedies that may occur locally or across the country, and the critical importance of telling adults about any unsafe behavior they may see. Here is a great resources for beginning the conversation:

https://healthcare.utah.edu/hmhi/resources/talking-to-children-about-tragedy

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact your school principal or call Granite School District at 385-646-4525. Thank you for your support.

Granite School District