August 21, 2023
Dear Hempstead ISD Families and Staff,
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.
In preparation for the 2023-2024 school year, we would like to provide you with the assurance that Hempstead ISD has safety measures in place to deal with emergency situations. 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
There have been several new Texas state laws that have gone into effect this summer. 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. This will include safety checks with metal detectors and police K-9s 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. Another update you will notice is more visible building signage throughout the district.
Additionally, the Texas legislature recently passed a new law (House Bill 114) that requires school districts to implement mandatory Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) placement for students found in possession of, using, selling, giving, or delivering e-cigarettes on school grounds or at any school-related event. The law aims to address the growing concern of e-cigarette usage among students and promote a healthier, safer environment for all members of the school community.
Beginning Monday, August 28, the first day of school, our district will be fully enforcing this new law. This means that any student caught violating the new law relating to e-cigarettes will be subject to immediate DAEP placement, as mandated by state law. 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 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, and social media. Local news media will also be contacted.
On the first day of school, all students will be sent home with a First Day of School Packet. In this packet, you will find an emergency contact card. To ensure you receive both campus/district emergency alerts please complete this card and return it to the campus as soon as possible. To receive text messages from the school district please include a working cell phone number. 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 Hempstead ISD Police Officer. School safety is everyone's responsibility, and your involvement is appreciated.
Resources
Emergency - Call 9-1-1
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 of Schools
Hempstead ISD