School Safety & Security
Every student deserves a safe, supportive environment where they can focus on learning and growth. Safety and security efforts work best when they’re proactive, consistent and built into everyday school culture.
School Safety & Security highlights key areas of focus, including building security measures, positive school climate, digital safety and cybersecurity and gun and weapons safety. These efforts are designed to protect students and staff while promoting a sense of trust and readiness across all schools.
Safety isn’t just a system—it’s a shared commitment.
Building Security Measures
Visitor Check-In
- All visitors must enter through the main entrance of the school.
- Upon arrival, visitors are required to check in at the front office. Please be prepared to present a valid photo ID at the camera before entering the school.
- Visitors will be issued a visitor badge, which must be worn at all times while on school premises.
Pre-Scheduled Appointments
- Whenever possible, visitors should schedule appointments in advance. This helps us ensure that the necessary staff members are available to meet with you and minimizes disruptions to the school day.
- You can schedule appointments by contacting the school office directly.
Access Control
- Our schools are equipped with secure entry systems. Visitors will be asked to identify themselves and state the purpose of their visit through an intercom system before being granted access to the building.
- Access to classroom areas may be restricted during school hours. Visitors will be escorted to and from their destinations by school staff.
Visitor Guidelines
- For the safety of all, we ask that visitors limit their movement within the school to the areas necessary for their visit.
- Unauthorized visitors are strictly prohibited. Anyone found on school grounds without proper authorization will be asked to leave immediately.
Emergency Protocols
- In the event of an emergency, visitors must follow the instructions of school staff and adhere to all emergency procedures.
- Visitors may be required to participate in lockdown or evacuation drills if they are present during these times.
Special Events
- For larger events, such as school assemblies or parent-teacher conferences, specific entry and exit procedures will be communicated in advance.
- Additional security measures may be implemented for special events as needed.
Gun/Weapons Safety - Annual Notice
As required by Michigan state law, Eaton RESA provides families with important information about safe firearm storage practices to help protect children in our community.
Michigan's Secure Storage Law
Michigan law requires the secure storage of firearms when minors may be present. This includes storing firearms in locked containers or using locking devices to render them inoperable when children could have access to them.
Key Requirements:
- Firearms must be stored securely when minors may be present
- Secure storage includes locked containers or locking devices that render firearms inoperable
- The law is designed to prevent accidental access by children and reduce the risk of firearm-related injuries
Complete Legal Information
For comprehensive information about Michigan's secure storage law, including detailed requirements, definitions, exceptions, and penalties, please visit:
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Secure Storage Law
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has developed this resource to help families understand their legal obligations and learn about best practices for firearm safety in homes with children.
- Informational Notice: Secure Storage Requirements and Penalties
- Informational Notice: Firearm Safety and Harm Prevention
Annual Notice Requirement
State Law Compliance Michigan law (Section 380.1313b) requires all schools to distribute firearm safety storage information to families annually beginning October 1, 2025, and every October thereafter. This ensures that all families receive current information about safe storage practices and legal requirements.
Our Commitment Eaton RESA is committed to supporting community safety through education and awareness. While we recognize that firearm ownership is a personal choice, we believe that all families should have access to information that helps keep children safe.
Questions or Additional Information
Legal Questions: For specific questions about Michigan's firearm storage law, contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or consult with legal counsel.
School District Questions: For questions about this notice, contact Eaton RESA Director of Safety & Employee Relations at 517.541.8722
Emergency Situations: If you become aware of unsafe firearm storage that poses an immediate risk to children, contact local law enforcement immediately.
Free Gun Locks
To obtain a free cable gun lock, residents can visit a local MDHHS office to request one or check with their local health department, some of which also have gun locks available. MDHHS staff who make home visits can access gun locks if a client has a need or requests one.
Free gun locks can additionally be obtained through Project ChildSafe police partners across the state. Gun lock installation instructions are included within the product’s packaging and available on the Project ChildSafe website.
Additional Safety Resources
Firearm Safety Education: Many organizations offer firearm safety education programs for families who choose to keep firearms in their homes.
Child Safety: Beyond secure storage, consider discussing age-appropriate safety messages with children about what to do if they encounter an unsecured firearm.
Community Resources: Local law enforcement agencies often provide additional information about firearm safety and secure storage options.
Important Note: This information is provided for educational purposes as required by Michigan state law. Eaton RESA is immune from civil liability, both personally and professionally, for any damages allegedly caused by, arising out of, or relating to this informational notice.
Gun/Weapons Safety - Resources
Laws & Policies
- Michigan Weapon Free School Zone - a law prohibiting possession of firearm in a designated school zone.
- Eaton RESA Board Policies
- Michigan Secure Storage Law - a law requiring secure storage of firearms went into effect Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.
- See the MDHHS "Secure Storage Law" website for additional information
Firearm Safety Programs
- Project ChildSafe
- Information on how to obtain a FREE gun safety kit and where to obtain a FREE gun trigger lock in 230 cities in Michigan.
- Information on responsible gun ownership and how to have a conversation with your kids about gun safety.
- Gun Safety and Children - C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital | University of Michigan Health. Includes resources for:
- Gun Storage
- Guns at homes of others
- Teaching children about what to do in the presence of a gun
- Adolescents, teens, and guns
- Non-powder guns, BB guns, and toy guns
- BeSMARTforKids.org - A framework for families designed to help parents and adults normalize conversations about gun safety and take responsible actions that can prevent child gun deaths and injuries.
- Secure all guns in your home and vehicle
- Model responsible behavior around guns
- Ask about the presence of unsecured guns in other homes
- Recognize the role of guns in suicide
- Tell your peers to BeSMART
Video - Be Smart: Secure Storage Anthem
Safe Storage of Guns
Providing our students and staff with a safe, educational environment remains one of our top priorities. We are all aware of incidents of gun violence in surrounding communities and nationwide.
Studies on school-based gun violence consistently indicate that addressing students' unauthorized access to guns at home is a significant factor in preventing such incidents. For example, a recent Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center study of targeted school violence incidents from 2008 to 2017 found that students from the home of a parent or close relative obtained 76% of firearms.
Unsecured guns in the home pose a risk to students beyond gun violence in schools. Every year, 350 children under 18 unintentionally shoot themselves or someone else. Gun suicide among children has reached the highest rate in over 20 years.
Research shows that safe firearm storage practices are associated with up to an 85% reduction in the risk of self-inflicted and unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens. Storing firearms securely protects any child in the home and students throughout the school district and community.
