November 2025

We are thankful for the continued partnership and support that allow our schools to thrive:

A special “Thank You” goes to everyone who supported the Building and Site Fund proposal. Your commitment to improving our facilities will help ensure that our students and staff have safe, modern, and welcoming spaces for years to come.

I want to take a moment to revisit our safety protocols here at D7. First, I am proud to share the measures we take to ensure safety, district-wide. The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We are committed to ensuring that our schools provide a secure learning environment while maintaining an open and welcoming atmosphere for education. With this in mind, we have implemented the Smart Boot System from LockOut USA across all classrooms in our district. This state-of-the-art security system includes multiple layers of protection designed to strengthen our emergency response capabilities and enhance overall school safety: 

 

Boot System for Door Barricades - Every classroom is equipped with a barricade device that can be engaged to prevent unauthorized entry during an emergency. 

 

Pull Stations for Large Open Areas - In spaces without direct access to the Smart Boot System, designated pull stations allow staff to initiate lockdown measures quickly. 

 

Critical Incident Mapping & Color-Coded Zoning - Our buildings are now mapped with color-coded placards for classrooms, offices, and exterior doors, ensuring rapid response and coordination for law enforcement. 

 

Smart Tablets for Staff Communication - All staff members have access to smart tablets, allowing them to initiate emergency alerts from anywhere in the building. These tablets also facilitate real-time communication between teachers, administrators, and law enforcement. 

 

Ballistic Shields at Entry Points - Exterior doorways are reinforced with ballistic shields to provide an additional layer of protection and slow down potential threats. 

 

Smart Light System for Visual Alerts - This system activates visual warnings throughout the school when triggered by smart tablets, pull stations, or smart boxes, ensuring immediate awareness of any security threat. 
By implementing these advanced safety measures, we are taking proactive steps to protect our students and staff in the event of an emergency. While we hope never to need these systems, we are committed to being prepared for any situation. Regular drills are executed to reinforce these skills.  I also want to reassure the community that the Dearborn Heights Police Department and D7 School District have established protocols for regular communication, especially during times of critical incidents. 
We appreciate your continued trust and support in keeping our schools safe. Remember to always encourage your children to connect with an adult if they hear or see anything of concern. 
 
Yondr Bags and Student Cell Phone Use
The implementation of Yondr bags across our district has been a great success. With students no longer using cell phones during the school day, we’ve seen stronger focus, better engagement, and more meaningful learning in classrooms. However, we’re noticing an increase in after-school online activity, including late-night chat room discussions — sometimes as late as 11 p.m. — involving inappropriate or concerning topics. These conversations can spill into the school day and disrupt learning. Please remember that behavior outside of school that impacts the school day may lead to disciplinary consequences under the Student Code of Conduct. We ask for families’ support in monitoring student cell phone and social media use at home. 

 

Looking Ahead with Gratitude
Your continued involvement and support make all the difference. Together, we are building not only stronger facilities but a stronger foundation for learning, growth, and community. We wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and time well spent with family and friends.