Safe in Our Schools

Greetings,

Over the next three months, the Office of Operational & Security Services (OSS) will be hosting school and community stakeholders in conversations about ways to improve school climate and culture as a part of the Safe in Our Schools Initiative (SIOS). This will be a continuation of the work that began in June and is summarized in the attachment.  The information gathered will be used to inform the MPS leadership conversation in January about policies and budget regarding school safety, School Resource Officers and magnetic locks. In an effort to engage community stakeholders in this process, we'll be forming five community action teams in five regions of the city (North, Northeast, Downtown, South and Southwest). I am seeking your help in recruiting twenty-five action team members who will develop SIOS' community outreach plans for each region.

Ideally, action team members will have the following qualities:

• Knowledgeable about their community and experience being engaged in their community 
• Vested interest and experience with MPS schools (i.e., parent, student, educator/staff member, resident, business owner, etc.)
• Available to meet three times (90 minutes each) between Sept-Nov. 

Action teams will work with a facilitator to design and implement an outreach plan for recruiting community members to participate in focus groups. They will then continue to work with OSS over time in order to maintain connection to the needs of the community.  We are exploring ways we may be able to provide a small financial incentive to each action team member for their participation.  Regardless of that, we hope involvement will be a rewarding experience for all and we will work together to formulate solutions and incorporate the community voice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.

If you'd like to recommend someone to be an action team member, please send me their name and contact information (i.e., email address or phone number). We'll be reaching out to people next week. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jason

Jason Matlock, MPA

Director

Operational & Security Services

612-668-0178

Jason.Matlock@mpls.k12.mn.us