Safety and Security

Welcome to the Kentwood Public Schools Safety Department

The Kentwood Public Schools Safety Department works in collaboration with our student body, parents/guardians, staff, administrators and local law enforcement to assist in providing a safe and secure atmosphere for the educational environment of our students and staff.

To report an incident anonymously

For mental health support

To report a non-emergency school related incident:

During school hours contact: (616) 698-6700 ext. 42376

After school or weekends contact: (616) 698-6700 ext. 42376 and leave a message.

Relationships Play a Key Role

The Kentwood Public Schools Safety Department understands that building strong, authentic relationships with students is a pivotal piece when it comes to providing safe and secure environments in our buildings. That is why our district makes building these relationships foundational in all of the work that we do. Some examples of how we do this include:

Capturing Kids' Hearts - This is a longstanding program in Kentwood Public Schools focused on the social-emotional well-being of students. The program focuses on creating a culture in schools that is relationship driven. Staff work to create an environment that students feel connected with their peers, connected to the adults in the building and connected to their overall school community. Kentwood Public Schools is proud to have several schools named to the list of Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase Schools on a consistent, annual basis.

Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports - Also known as PBIS, this is a framework for supporting whole school practices that promote a safe school setting. PBIS calls for supporting social. learning, behavioral and emotional needs of students.

Restorative Practices - Kentwood Public Schools began district-wide implementation of Restorative Practices in 2022. This framework is aimed at keeping all in the community safe, engaged, and productive. Building community is a key element of Restorative Practices. In addition, Restorative Practices calls for engaging proactively when someone in the community has been harmed. This calls on the person who has been harmed and the person causing the harm to use tools to resolve conflict and work towards restoring trust.

Each of the above strategies and initiatives are part of the larger goal of creating whole-child environments in Kentwood Public Schools, one of four main goal areas outlined in the district's Strategic Plan which was launched in August 2023.