September 2026

In This Issue

LETTER FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

FEATURED TOPIC: SCHOOL SAFETY

DID YOU KNOW?

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR FAMILIES

FAMILY TOOLS SPOTLIGHT

LOOKING AHEAD

Letter from McKinney ISD Superintendent

Dear McKinney ISD Families,

A new school year brings renewed energy, excitement, and opportunity across McKinney ISD. As our students settle into classrooms, activities, fine arts, athletics, and all the experiences that make school meaningful, families entrust us each day with what matters most - their children. We never take that responsibility for granted.

Above all, we want every parent to know this: the safety and well-being of your child is our highest priority.

Creating safe schools requires more than responding when something happens. It requires us to be vigilant every day—to build strong relationships with students, recognize concerns early, prepare for the unexpected, continually evaluate and strengthen our systems, and work closely with law enforcement and first responders. Much of this work happens quietly behind the scenes, but it is happening every day across McKinney ISD.

We also know that safety is built on trust and communication. Our students need to know there are adults who will listen and act when they share a concern. Our staff must be trained, prepared, and attentive. And our families need to know what we are doing, how we will respond in an emergency, and where to turn when they have a concern.

That is why this month’s newsletter is focused on school safety. We want you to understand the people, procedures, training, technology, and partnerships working together to protect our schools. Just as importantly, we want every family to know how you can help. Please talk with your children about the importance of speaking up when something doesn’t seem right. A concern shared early can give us the opportunity to help a student, address a problem, or prevent a situation from becoming something more serious.

We cannot promise that our schools will never face a difficult situation. What we can promise is that we will never become complacent about safety. We will continue to prepare, evaluate, improve, communicate, and do everything within our ability to protect the students and staff entrusted to our care.

Thank you for your trust and your partnership. Keeping our schools safe is a responsibility we share and one we take seriously every single day.

Every student, every day!

Shawn Pratt
Superintendent, McKinney ISD

Featured Topic

School Safety: A Shared Responsibility

Keeping every student and staff member safe is McKinney ISD's top priority — and real safety takes more than reacting to emergencies. It means building a proactive, coordinated system of support that works every day, not just in a crisis.

Our safety framework rests on three pillars:

• Prevention — stopping problems before they start

• Preparedness — equipping schools with the training and tools they need

• Response — acting quickly and decisively when it matters most

Together, these pillars shape how we approach everything from fostering a positive campus climate, to preparing for severe weather, to resolving student conflict, to preventing serious acts of violence. Strong procedures, ongoing training, proactive prevention strategies, and clear communication are at the center of it all.

Above all, school safety is a team effort. It depends on students, staff, and families staying engaged, speaking up, and maintaining close partnerships with local police and fire departments. Together, we keep McKinney ISD schools secure places where every student can learn and thrive.

McKinney ISD Student Code of Conduct: McKinney ISD Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct(SCOC) serves as a guide to help create a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment for every student. It ensures that:

• Clear expectations are set for student behavior and responsibilities

• Consistent and fair practices are used across all campuses

• Positive relationships between students, staff, and families are supported

• Safe and productive classrooms are maintained so learning can thrive

• Legal and policy requirements from the state and district are met

The SCOC reflects McKinney ISD’s belief that discipline is not just about consequences — it’s about teaching, guiding, and supporting students so they can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

McKinney ISD Student Handbook: McKinney ISD Student Handbook

The Student Handbook is designed to help students and families understand district policies, state laws, and school expectations. In Texas, the handbook serves as a comprehensive guide that:

• Communicates the rights and responsibilities of students and parents under the Texas Education Code

• Explains important district policies, including attendance, safety, discipline, and academic expectations

• Provides information about programs and services available to support student success

• Outlines legal requirements and helps families stay informed about updates from the Texas Legislature and TEA

• Connects families and schools, fostering a positive partnership to ensure every child can learn and thrive

Prevention - Taking Action BEFORE an Emergency

Prevention is the foundation of school safety — the programs, strategies, and daily practices that stop problems before they start. These measures operate year-round, creating a secure environment for every student, staff member, and visitor.

Supporting Students and School Climate

• Character Education & Positive School Climate: Building respectful, inclusive campus cultures where every student feels valued and supported.

• Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse Prevention: Addressing students' social and emotional needs through education and prevention resources.

Building & Campus Safety

Every MISD campus is unique, so physical security measures are tailored to fit each location:

Visitor Management

• Each campus maintains a designated point of entry with controlled access during the school day

• Video intercoms verify visitor identity and purpose before entry

• All visitors sign in/out through the front office

• Hall Pass® screens every visitor against the national sex offender database and alerts administration automatically

Campus Security Enhancements

• Keyless entry & ID badges - All staff wear MISD photo ID badges; campuses use secure entry vestibules

• Surveillance - Cameras cover building interiors, exteriors, and all buses; drivers complete safety and security training

• Security patrols - Regular and unannounced checks across all campuses

• K9 interdiction - Random visits at middle and high schools to detect drugs and contraband

• Background checks -  Required for all employees, volunteers, mentors, student teachers, and contractors

• Uniformed police presence -  At athletic events and other district activities

• Evolve Security Detection & Verkada camera systems — Advanced real-time monitoring and threat detection

• Student ID badges (MS/HS) - Required for identification and safety

Monitoring Digital Behavior
Safety extends online. MISD monitors district-issued devices and activity — including search terms, browsing behavior, and flagged keywords — to catch potential concerns early. This gives staff an early-warning system to intervene and connect students with support before a situation escalates.

Safety & Security Personnel

In partnership with the McKinney Police Department, our School Resource Officer (SRO) program is a cornerstone of campus prevention:

• 14 Student Resource Officers (SROs): we are fortunate to have two officers at each high school, one officer at each middle school, and two sergeants that support elementary campuses

• 19 Armed Security Officers (ASOs):   the district has hired an ASO for each elementary campus

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

• SROs and ASOs both complete specialized emergency response training including; armed-attack preparedness and medical and tactical protocols

• Each officer works independently on their campus while operating as part of a unified districtwide security team, staying visible and engaged with students throughout the day

Additional Safety Personnel

• Crossing guards manage traffic at elementary and middle schools

• Parking lot attendants support traffic flow at high schools

• Full-time nurses on every campus provide healthcare and emergency response

Preparedness - Planning & Practicing for Safety

Preparedness means having a system in place to prevent, plan for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Under Texas Education Code §37.108, every district must maintain an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) outlining prevention and response measures at both the district and campus level.

Emergency Medical Preparedness

Every campus is equipped with:

• Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

• EpiPens 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

• Narcan in every clinic, to counteract fentanyl exposure

Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs)

EOPs define clear roles for crisis response teams — principals, teachers, nurses, counselors, and other key staff. These teams meet regularly to review plans, run drills, and confirm campuses are stocked with the supplies they need.

Education, Training & Preparedness

A well-trained, alert school community is our strongest line of defense. MISD trains staff and students in medical emergency response, crisis prevention, threat identification, and bullying prevention.

Districtwide Preparedness Efforts

• District Safety Committee: Administrators, district leaders, operations staff, and city emergency responders meet regularly to review safety issues and recommend improvements

• Campus Whole Child Teams: Collaborative groups supporting students' overall well-being

• Safe & Supportive School Program Team, Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, Coordinated Health Wellness Policy & Safety Team, and Counselor Advisory Teams: Each plays a role in promoting safety and student support

Required Safety Drills 

MISD follows the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), a nationally recognized system for consistent emergency response. State law requires:

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.

Practical Tips for Families

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

Family Tools Spotlight 

As part of its commitment to student safety, McKinney ISD has enhanced its digital learning environment with two powerful tools from Deledao, a leader in student online protection and mental wellness monitoring.

Deledao’s innovative artificial intelligence technologies analyze text, images, and videos in real time and keep your children safe in their Internet journeys. Our technologies work especially well on social media sites such as YouTube and Facebook, where the contents are diversified and legacy solutions fail to provide adequate protection.

In the meantime, we’d also like to provide tools to parents to properly guide the children’s Internet activities. Our parent portal lets parents:

• View children’s web activity summary

• Investigate detailed activity log

• Configure additional at-home policy settings. Please note that the at-home policy only applies outside of school hours.

We invite you to sign up for the Deledao Parent Portal.  For more information, please click here.

Learn how to use the Deledao Parent Portal by watching this video.  Click here.

Looking Ahead

In our next issue we will focus on: Digital Citizenship and Responsible Use

Students are expected to demonstrate good digital citizenship by using technology safely, responsibly, and respectfully. This includes protecting personal information, communicating with kindness and integrity, respecting the privacy and intellectual property of others, and using digital resources for educational purposes. Students should think critically about the information they access and share online, report inappropriate or unsafe content or behavior to a trusted adult, and follow all district policies regarding acceptable technology use. By making responsible choices in digital environments, students help create a safe, positive, and productive learning community for everyone.

McKinney ISD is committed to teaching students to be responsible citizens.