Dear Hempstead ISD Families and Staff,
As we kick off the 2024-2025 school year I wanted to take time to inform our families and staff of our district safety and security procedures. Hempstead ISD is committed to the safety and security of all students, staff, and visitors. The district is dedicated to providing a safe environment that promotes the well-being of every student and employee.
We would like to assure you that Hempstead ISD has safety measures in place to deal with emergencies. Throughout the school year, various drills such as fire drills, severe weather drills, and intruder drills are examples of measures taken by campuses to prepare students for an emergency. Additionally, Hempstead ISD officers are trained and prepared to handle emergency events and they work with local and regional emergency agencies to address issues related to incident management.
Safety Updates
Recently legislators passed House Bill III, requiring all public school campuses to have an armed officer. We are proud to say that Hempstead ISD does have an officer at every school.
To ensure the safety of our schools, campuses will conduct random safety and security checks throughout the school year. This includes safety checks with metal detectors and bag checks at the secondary level and extra security checks of school building doors. All campus staff will be trained for handling emergency events and district officers will be visible while patrolling our schools and community.
Additionally, you will notice each campus has a digital access point and safety vestibule, allowing better control over who can enter our buildings. These systems serve as a first line of defense, stopping visitors from accessing our students directly. We will continue maintaining our commitment to have high safety standards for our students and staff.
Hempstead ISD schools and facilities are Vape FREE Zones. Any student caught violating the state law relating to e-cigarettes will be subject to immediate DAEP placement. The DAEP program serves as an alternative to traditional suspension, providing students with an opportunity to address their behavior while continuing their education in a structured setting.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure the safety and success of every student. This is a proactive step toward fostering an atmosphere where our students can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
Our counseling staff will continue implementing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) practices across the district. SEL is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success. Campus leaders will provide different opportunities for students to participate in various SEL activities.
Our doors are open to our families and community members and the campus visitor protocols have not changed. All visitors will be required to sign in with the front office staff and show a photo ID when visiting any district campus or building. All secondary students will be required to wear their campus ID badges while they are at school.
Emergency Communications
Hempstead ISD uses a mass notification system to communicate with families and staff. In times of inclement weather or other emergencies impacting district operations, including delayed starts and school closures, the district will contact parents and staff via email, text message, phone calls, district/campus websites, the district mobile app, and social media. Local news media will also be contacted.
To ensure you receive both campus/district emergency alerts via email, phone call, or text message, please update your ParentPortal account. If your contact information changes throughout the school year, please update your ParentPortal account.
We encourage members of the community to support our efforts by contacting us if you witness or become aware of any safety threats involving our schools. This includes information about bullying, threats, weapons, fights, drugs, self-harm, suicide, or disclosures made to you or posted on social media that you deem troubling. Reports can be made by directly contacting any campus administrator, district administrator, or a Hempstead ISD Police Officer. School safety is everyone's responsibility, and your involvement is appreciated.
Resources
Emergency - Call 9-1-1
Hempstead ISD Mobile App - App Store | Google Play Store
Hempstead ISD Police - 979-826-3304 ext 324
Hempstead Police Department Dispatch - 979-826-3332
Waller County Police Department Dispatch - 979-826-8282
Waller County Crimestoppers - 979-826-8266
With Bobcat Pride,
Herbert O’Neil
Superintendent
Hempstead ISD
Chief LaKetra Ervin
Chief of Police
Hempstead ISD