November 4, 2021
Dear Mission CISD Parent/Guardian,
The safety and security of students and staff in our schools and facilities is of utmost priority. We take all reports of threats and threatening behavior very seriously. Recent events have tested our safety response system. While the system allowed us to rapidly respond to a report of threatening behavior, we are evaluating our system for ways to improve in areas of deterrence and response. Because threats change over time, we continually evaluate the safety of our campuses and procedures for responding to the threats. Some adjustments can be made immediately, and some take time to implement. Some changes are confidential or less visible, and others are meant to be highly visible. Over the next few weeks, you will notice some of the changes, and your child will begin to see its effects.
One such measure will be the increased use of random handheld and walk-through portable metal detectors. Our safety and security team will be expanding the use of handheld and walk-through metal detectors to search individuals as they enter campuses. Shortly before the COVID—19 pandemic started, the district invested in several portable, walk-through metal detectors. However, the random implementation was delayed because of the Pandemic and the temperature checks. These portable detectors will allow our security teams to use them at our junior high schools randomly and high schools to ensure additional safety measures.
Please be patient as implementing these new procedures may impact student arrival patterns. Should there be any additional changes, your campus will notify you.
The random increased use of metal detectors is just one of the improvements taking place this school year to protect our students and staff. You have already noticed the construction of additional security vestibules at the entry to several campuses that still lack such spaces. These are not the only measures. As stated above, there are safety improvements that are less visible.
Finally, please note that anyone who brings prohibited items such as weapons, guns, and knives will not be tolerated. Please review the district’s Student Code of Conduct or District’s Board Policy with your child.
Please discuss with them the severe consequences of bringing a prohibited weapon to school. Consequences can include severe disciplinary actions, including expulsion. Consequences can also include criminal prosecution. We will use every legal tool we have to protect our students, staff, and visitors. That means that if a student or other person chooses to violate the law by bringing a prohibited weapon on campus, we will ask law enforcement to prosecute the violation to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Don’t forget that Mission CISD also has the Stay Alert system for anyone to report suspicious activities, bullying, theft, etc. Anonymous reports can be made via call or text: 1-206-406-6485, online: www.stayalert.info, or email: [email protected]. Remember. Notice it? Report it! It takes all of us working together to keep our schools safe places for learning.
In your service,
Dr. Carol G. Perez
Superintendent