Novi outlines safety, health and meal practices for incoming kindergarten families

District safety and health staff described the layers of school safety and medical support families can expect. A school resource officer and security staff summarized visitor screening (Raptor), background checks for volunteers, secured entrances and classroom locking procedures and explained the district’s camera system with an integrated gun‑detection tool called ZeroEyes. The district also runs ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) drills and communicates with parents after each drill.

Health services and screenings: District nurse Kathy Ferris said families will indicate medical diagnoses at registration and the district uses pre‑made plans for allergies and seizures. Ferris told families that vision and hearing screenings are required before kindergarten, and that "new this year, you'll have to have a dental screening either before you start kindergarten or within the first year of kindergarten." School staff offered to help families obtain immunizations or waivers and to assist with recordkeeping.

Meals and accounts: a food‑service presenter explained that breakfast is bagged and eaten in class; lunch schedules are staggered and kindergarten students have roughly 20 minutes to eat (about 15 minutes of actual eating after transition). The district offers free breakfast and lunch for all this year and next year; families were encouraged to complete the free/reduced application anyway to qualify for other services available during the year and summer.

Volunteer and visitor rules: presenters reminded families that volunteers must complete background checks via the Raptor system and will be issued visitor badges; this applies to contractors and parent volunteers.

Next steps: staff said they will provide more detailed health and safety information during building welcome days and that families with questions can contact district health services.