Parent Newsletter Series

November 2025

In This Issue

A Message from Superintendent Shawn Pratt

Purpose

Featured Topic

Did You Know?

Practical Tips for Families

Family Tools Spotlight

Looking Ahead

From our Superintendent - Shawn Pratt

In McKinney ISD, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Every day, we work to create a learning environment where students feel secure, supported, and ready to succeed. Achieving that goal takes careful planning, collaboration, and a shared commitment from our entire school community.

School safety is more than a single program or policy; it's an ongoing effort that includes prevention, preparedness, and response. Through prevention, we focus on building positive school climates, supporting mental health, and implementing proactive safety measures. Through preparedness, we ensure that our staff and students know exactly what to do should an emergency arise. And through our coordinated response efforts, we act quickly to protect lives and restore normalcy when challenges occur.

Thank you for partnering with us in this vital work. By staying informed, engaged, and proactive, we can continue to make McKinney ISD schools safe, welcoming, and strong learning environments for every student.

Shawn Pratt
Superintendent, McKinney ISD

Purpose

In August, our district launched a monthly communication and education series focused on student safety, transparent communication, family partnership, and legal awareness. This series will help ensure:

• Parents and guardians are informed of their access, roles, and tools

• Students receive age-appropriate learning on safety, digital citizenship, and well-being

• Schools stay connected with families through proactive outreach and education.

Featured Topic

School Safety: 

A Shared Responsibility

The safety and well-being of every student and staff member in McKinney ISD is our top priority. Ensuring a safe and secure environment requires more than simply responding to emergencies; it means building a system of support that is proactive, coordinated, and ongoing.

Our approach to school safety is built on three key components: Prevention, Preparedness, and Response. Together, these elements form a comprehensive safety framework designed to stop incidents before they occur, equip our schools with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively, and act decisively in the event of an emergency.

School safety is a broad and essential responsibility that touches every part of the school day. It includes creating a positive and supportive environment, preparing for weather-related emergencies, addressing student conflicts, and preventing more serious incidents of violence. It’s critical that we maintain strong procedures, proactive prevention strategies, regular training, and clear communication plans.

Keeping our schools safe is truly a team effort. We depend on the ongoing support and involvement of students, staff, and families, along with the strong partnerships we share with our local police and fire departments. Together, we can make sure our schools remain secure, supportive places where every student can learn and succeed.

Did You Know?

Prevention: 

Taking Action Before an Emergency

Prevention is the first and most important step in keeping our schools safe. It includes all the activities, programs, and strategies designed to stop incidents or emergencies before they happen. These proactive measures take place well before an emergency occurs and focus on creating a safe environment for students, staff, and visitors every day.

Supporting Students and School Climate

Character Education & Positive School Climate - These initiatives build respectful, inclusive school cultures where students feel valued and supported.

Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse Prevention - These programs address the social and emotional needs of students while providing education and resources to prevent substance abuse.

Building & Campus Safety

Every campus in McKinney ISD is unique, so our approach to physical safety is tailored to each location. The following measures help keep students, staff, and visitors secure:

Visitor Management

• Controlled access with a single point of entry for visitors during the school day.

• Video intercoms allow staff to verify visitors’ identities and purpose before granting access.

• All visitors must enter through the front office and sign in/out.

• Hall Pass®, a visitor management system, screens visitors against a national sex offender database and immediately alerts administration if necessary.
  

Campus Security Enhancements

• Keyless Entry & ID Badges: All employees wear MISD photo ID badges, and campuses are equipped with secure entry vestibules.

• Surveillance Cameras: Cameras monitor building interiors and exteriors. All MISD buses are also equipped with cameras, and drivers receive safety and security training.

• Security Patrols: MISD security conducts regular and unannounced checks on campuses.

• K9 Interdiction: Random visits by trained K9 units help detect drugs and contraband at middle and high schools.

• Background Checks: All employees, volunteers, mentors, student teachers, and contractors must pass a criminal background check.

• Uniformed Police Presence: Officers provide security at athletic events and other district activities as needed.

• Evolve Security Detection & Verkada Camera Systems: Advanced technology enhances real-time monitoring and threat detection.

• Student ID Badges (MS/HS): Required for added safety and identification.
  

Monitoring Digital Behavior

In today’s connected world, safety also extends to the online environment. MISD actively monitors district-issued devices and online activity, including search terms, browsing behavior, and flagged keywords to help identify potential safety concerns before they escalate. This proactive monitoring serves as an early warning system, allowing staff to intervene quickly and connect students with support or resources when necessary.

Safety & Security Personnel

• School Resource Officers (SROs)

• Armed Security Officers (ASOs)

In partnership with the McKinney Police Department, McKinney ISD’s School Resource Officer (SRO) program serves as a cornerstone of campus safety and prevention.

• The district is supported by 14 SROs: two assigned to each high school, one to each middle school, and two sergeants providing supervision and support to elementary campuses.

• 22 ASOs (hired by the district) to support all the elementary campuses.
  

• SROs are armed and extensively trained, with rifles secured in locked gun safes at secondary campuses.
  

• Both SROs and  ASOs receive specialized emergency response training, including preparedness for armed attacks, and carry medical supplies and tactical tools to assist in critical situations.
  

• SROs and ASOs work independently at their respective campuses yet collaborate as a cohesive districtwide security team, promoting safety through positive engagement with students and staff.
  

• Officers are encouraged to maintain visibility throughout the school day, completing reports on campus and joining students and staff in common areas such as cafeterias to foster connection and presence.

Additional Safety Personnel

• Crossing Guards manage pedestrian and vehicle traffic at elementary and middle schools.

• Parking Lot Attendants assist with traffic flow on high school campuses.

• Full-time school Nurses on every campus provide essential health care and emergency response.

Emergency Medical Preparedness

To ensure readiness for any medical emergency, every campus is equipped with:

• Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

• EpiPens (epinephrine) for severe allergic reactions

• Albuterol inhalers for respiratory emergencies

• Comprehensive First Aid Kits, including tourniquets and Stop the Bleed supplies

• Emergency Go Bags in every classroom

• Clinic - Narcan (counteracts Fentanyl)

Preparedness: 

Planning and Practicing for Safety

Emergency preparedness means having a comprehensive system in place to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Texas Education Code (TEC §37.108) requires every district to develop and maintain an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which outlines prevention and preparedness measures at both the district and campus levels.

Emergency Operations Plans (EOP)

EOPs clearly define the roles and responsibilities of crisis response teams, which include campus principals, teachers, school nurses, counselors, and other key personnel. These teams meet regularly to review emergency plans, conduct drills, and ensure campuses have the necessary supplies and resources on hand.

Education, Training, and Preparedness

The first and most effective line of defense is a well-trained and highly alert school community. McKinney ISD prioritizes training for both staff and students in areas such as medical emergency response, crisis prevention, threat identification, and bullying prevention.

Districtwide Preparedness Efforts

• McKinney ISD District Safety Committee: Includes administrators, district leaders, operations personnel, and city emergency responders. This committee meets regularly to discuss safety issues and make recommendations for districtwide improvements.
  

• Campus Whole Child Teams: Collaborative groups focused on supporting the overall well-being of students.
  
  

• Safe & Supportive School Program Team, School Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, Coordinated Health Wellness Policy & Safety Team, and Counselor Advisory Teams all play critical roles in promoting safety and student support.

Required Safety Drills

State law requires schools to conduct a variety of safety drills throughout the year to ensure that staff and students know how to respond in an emergency. MISD follows the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) — a nationally recognized system that ensures a consistent and effective response to school-based incidents.

Drill Requirements: 

• Evacuation (Fire): 1 per month during the school year

• Shelter-in-Place (Hazmat): 1 per semester

• Shelter-in-Place (Tornado): 1 per semester

• Hold (Medical Emergency): 1 per semester

• Secure: 1 per semester 

• Lockdown: 1 announced drill in the first semester and 1 unannounced drill in the second semester

Additional preparedness measures include:

• Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERT): Provide immediate care to seriously ill or injured individuals during emergencies or disasters.
  
  

• Round Table Exercises: Scenario-based discussions and planning sessions to prepare for various emergency situations.
  
  

• After Action Reviews: Conducted after every drill to assess effectiveness and identify improvements.
  
  

• Lockdown Activation Options: MISD staff have five different ways to initiate a lockdown. Hallway strobe lights ensure students with auditory impairments are also alerted.
  
  

Mandatory Training for All Staff

All MISD staff members participate in annual required training to ensure they are prepared to respond quickly and effectively. Topics include:

• Bloodborne Pathogens

• Bullying Recognition & Response

• CPR (General and MERT-specific)

• Cybersecurity Awareness

• Health Emergencies Overview

• Sexual Harassment (Staff-to-Staff)

• Sexual Misconduct (Staff-to-Student)

• Youth Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Postvention

Specialized Training and Assessments

Additional preparedness initiatives focus on equipping staff with specialized knowledge and skills:

• Threat Assessment Training: Identifying potential, immediate, or imminent threats through observation, behavioral analysis, and assessment.
  

• National Incident Management System (NIMS): FEMA-certified training for principals, assistant principals, nurses, and counselors.
  

• Region 10 ESC Safety and Security Audits: Independent reviews of district safety procedures and facilities.
  

• Stop the Bleed Training: Life-saving hemorrhage control techniques for MERT members.
  

• Diabetes Response Training: Specific protocols for responding to diabetic emergencies.
  

• Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI): De-escalation strategies to manage challenging behaviors safely.
  

  By planning ahead, training thoroughly, and practicing regularly, McKinney ISD ensures that students, staff, and families are prepared to respond confidently and effectively to any emergency situation that may arise.

Response: 

Acting Quickly and Effectively in an Emergency

Response refers to the actions taken to protect lives, prevent property damage, and minimize harm during an emergency situation. It’s the phase where preparedness plans are put into motion through the effective coordination and management of people, resources, and communication. These actions occur while the emergency is happening and are designed to keep students, staff, and the entire school community safe.

Evacuation & Reunification

In the event of an emergency that requires evacuation, McKinney ISD and the McKinney Police Department will work together to determine the safest evacuation routes based on the type and location of the incident.

Once it is safe to do so, parents and guardians will be reunited with their children at a designated reunification site. Currently, the district’s reunification location is McKinney ISD Stadium. Families will receive detailed instructions and updates about reunification procedures through official district communication channels.

Bullying, Harassment, and Discipline

McKinney ISD takes all reports of bullying and harassment very seriously. Each report is thoroughly investigated, and if bullying is confirmed, appropriate disciplinary action is taken. In addition, stay-away agreements and separation measures may be implemented to help prevent future incidents — even in cases where an investigation does not conclusively prove bullying occurred.

Communication During an Emergency
Emergency Communication Tools:

“In Case of a Crisis” App

All MISD staff members have access to the “In Case of a Crisis” mobile app. This tool provides step-by-step instructions and protocols to follow in the event of a real emergency on campus, helping staff respond quickly and appropriately.

Tip 411

Tip 411 is an anonymous reporting tool that enhances school safety by allowing students, parents, and community members to share concerns quickly and confidentially. Tips can be submitted online or by texting information to 847411 (tip411).

Examples of information you can report include:

• Theft or property damage on campus
  
  

• Potential fights or threats of violence
  
  

• Bullying or harassment incidents
  
  

• Assault or physical altercations
  
  

• Vandalism or graffiti
  
  

• Concerns for a student’s safety (e.g., suspected abuse, suicidal thoughts)
  
  

• Drug or alcohol possession or use on campus
  
  

• Weapons or threats involving weapons
  
  

• Threats against students, staff, or the school community
  
  

Timely reporting allows school officials and law enforcement to intervene early and prevent potential incidents before they escalate.

Additional Resources for Families

Families are essential partners in maintaining a safe school environment. The following resources provide valuable information and guidance:

• A Parent’s Guide to School Safety – Texas School Safety Center
  
  

• Cyber Safety and Digital Responsibility Parent Guide

Family Action Steps

• Review safety terms at home (Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter)
  
  

• Save Tip 411 number in your phone
  
  

• Discuss what to do if separated during an emergency
  
  

• Encourage calm conversations about school safety

Our Commitment

Our commitment to our community is centered on the application of emergency management and continuity of operations principles and best practices endorsed by the Texas School Safety Center and the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Supportive Schools/Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center. This commitment is reviewed and refined through routine hazard and risk assessments, annual maintenance of district and campus emergency operations plans, and ongoing training to ensure district readiness.

Our Goals

• To ensure the life safety of our McKinney ISD students, staff, and visitors.

• To preserve McKinney ISD property.

• To facilitate rapid incident stabilization through the application of proven all-hazard incident management techniques, including the coordinated organization and deployment of McKinney ISD resources.

• To guide the transition to recovery after an incident or emergency.

Family Tools Spotlight 

Texas: A Parent’s Guide to School Safety Toolkit
From the Texas School Safety Center — covers Texas laws, threat assessment, drills, cyberbullying, etc. Texas School Safety Center

DC School Safety Resource Guide
From Washington D.C. - includes contacts, supports, and communication channels. dme.dc.gov

“7 Back-to-School Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know” (Center for Safe Schools)
Practical tips for parents: communication, safe routes, reporting systems, etc. centerforsafeschools.org

Back to School Safety Checklist — National Safety Council
A parent/school checklist for general safety measures. National Safety Council

Red Cross “Safety Checklist” for Students
Tips for students and parents when returning to school (emergency plans, safety habits). American Red Cross

Looking Ahead

Gifted & Talented Program Update

In Spring 2025, McKinney ISD announced adjustments to the Gifted and Talented (GT) program in response to ongoing budget challenges. These adjustments included shifting services housed at Walker Elementary back to the students’ home campuses. In collaboration with the Board of Trustees, MISD ultimately decided to maintain the current GT structure while exploring and studying alternative program models.

To support this effort, a GT Task Force was established in May to evaluate the existing program and investigate potential enhancements. This process involved reviewing student achievement data, analyzing program costs and enrollment trends, collecting survey feedback, and visiting GT programs in other districts. The Task Force developed three potential models: (1) Remain As-Is Model, (2) Home Campus Model, and (3) the Choose McKinney Gifted & Talented Academy. Each model was presented to a district leadership panel. Following the presentations, the Task Force members and panelists provided feedback on the proposed models, which informed the final decision.

The GT Task Force and district leadership have selected the Remain As-Is Model for the 2026–2027 school year. This should not be interpreted as a decision to maintain the status quo, but rather as a strategic opportunity to enhance and strengthen the district’s current GT framework. The Task Force will remain intact and continue to focus on communication, instructional alignment, and program refinement, laying the foundation for continued growth, innovation, and high-quality services that meet the diverse needs of gifted learners, educators, and families.