District Communications

School Closings, Delays, or Emergencies

In the event that a school day is delayed, schools are closed, or there is an emergency in one of our buildings, we will communicate relevant information via the channels below. An alert will also be posted to the homepage of this website.

Check the following places for announcements and updates:

• MPS social media channels
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • X
• Exterior digital signs at MPS buildings
• MPS Closure Hotline: (989) 923-SNOW
• Email and text message notifications sent via InTouch (Alerts will go to the email addresses and mobile numbers on file in ParentVUE, so please ensure they are accurate!)
• MPS-TV via Charter Spectrum Channel 190 and AT&T Uverse Channel 99
  
• Local network television stations
  • WNEM - CBS TV5
  • WJRT - ABC12
  • WEYI - Mid-Michigan Now NBC25 & FOX66
    

School Bus Alerts

Edulog Parent Portal Lite is a mobile app that allows families to track their student's school bus in real-time and receive notifications when the bus is approaching their stop.

Download the App and Learn More

 

A crisis is an unanticipated event or series of events that threaten the safety and well-being of students and staff. During a crisis situation, district staff will initiate a crisis communications plan to coordinate communications both internally and externally, including families, media partners, and the community at large. 

In all communications during a crisis, the district strives to be transparent, accessible, prompt, compassionate, and informative. Keeping students safe is our first priority, and, during a crisis or perceived crisis, staff may be working with local law enforcement, first responders, and student resource officers (SROs) to assess a situation thoroughly before sharing information with the public. For these reasons, it’s not always possible for us to communicate with parents or guardians immediately. However, we will always strive to communicate with you as quickly as possible – likely in the form of an email.

 

Building Modes & What They Mean

You may hear terms about building modes used during or after a crisis or perceived crisis. These modes tell staff and students what to do and coordinate with a cell phone-based app, called Raptor, that all staff have installed on their phones. Here's what the different modes mean:

 

Secure Perimeter/Secure Mode: People inside the building a free to move around, but cannot enter or exit the building. Class schedules usually remain as usual. There’s often increased security at the entrances and exits of the building.
Example use case scenarios: suspicious or safety-related incident on/near school grounds, active shooter at a different school district

Shelter in Place: Generally used for weather-related events. People in the building shelter in their current location or a designated location to stay safe and protected.
Example use case scenarios: tornado warning

Evacuation: Everyone leaves the building and waits outside at a distance.
Example use case scenarios: fire, gas leak

Lockdown: All rooms are secured (doors and windows locked), and no one is permitted to enter or exit the building.
Example use case scenarios: active shooter, unidentified intruder, weapon in school

For questions, concerns, or complaints, we encourage parents and community members to first communicate directly with the educator in charge of the class or program you’d like to discuss.

Please see below for a helpful flow chart to help you navigate areas of concern. Begin on the left, moving to the right. If you're unsure where to start, email communications@midlandps.org for assistance.

To find contact information for members of our staff, check out the Staff Directory.

In communications from the district and/or schools, there is certain student-specific information that we will not share with the public in accordance with student privacy laws and out of respect for our students. That information includes:

• Family information: Mother’s maiden name, name(s) of parents or guardians
• Social security number
• Fingerprints
• Report cards
• Transcripts
• Class schedules
• Disciplinary actions and records

There are some situations in which this information will be shared with appropriate officials during health or safety emergencies. To see a list of conditions and parties that we have the right to disclose this information to without consent from a parent or guardians, visit Student Privacy Laws and Information - U.S Department of Education.