From USD 428
Great Bend Public Schools (USD 428) successfully held a district-wide Safety Day during a scheduled staff In-Service on Monday, September 28. Bringing together over 450 teachers, administrators, and support staff, along with partners from the Great Bend Police Department, the day focused on reviewing emergency procedures and strengthening district-wide readiness.
Keynote Speaker Shares Insights from Real-World Experience
The morning featured keynote speaker Kirk Carpenter, former superintendent of Aztec Municipal School District in New Mexico, who brought 31 years of experience in public education, administration, and national school safety consulting.
Carpenter speaks on school safety from a deeply personal place of experience, having served as superintendent when Aztec High School suffered the tragedy of a school shooting. While the school lost two student heroes in the event, rapid response by prepared staff and locked classroom doors saved countless lives that day.
A 2014 New Mexico Superintendent of the Year and 2021 Hall of Fame inductee, Carpenter has spent the last eight years presenting nationally on safety strategies, working with Sandy Hook Promise, and helping districts prepare for crisis response.
"Hope is not a strategy, and safety is not a destination," said Kirk Carpenter. "When it comes to protecting our schools, we must be ALL IN, ALL THE TIME."
SRP Refresher and Hands-On Reunification Exercise
In addition to the keynote presentation, USD 428 Assistant Superintendent John Popp led staff through an overview of the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). First implemented by the district in the fall of 2024, the SRP provides a common language during safety situations. By using clear, standardized terms—Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter—students, staff, and parents can better understand and respond to any given situation.
The morning culminated in a practical Reunification Exercise following standards established by The "I Love You Guys" Foundation. While not a full-scale simulation, the drill provided hands-on experience in safely reuniting students with families during an emergency. Staff evacuated to a primary location, were bussed to a secondary location, and walked through the organizational roles required to support a structured reunification. This process ensures that during a real crisis, students are accounted for and released only to authorized parents or guardians with proper identification—a protocol designed to bring order, clarity, and safety to stressful situations. This operational framework can also be quickly adapted and hosted at other locations depending on the specific incident.
Recalling a core principle from The "I Love You Guys" Foundation, Popp reminded staff that "police own the crime, the fire department owns the flames, and WE own the kids."
“Our focus is ensuring that if an emergency ever occurs, our staff and community know how to manage the response efficiently while keeping our students safe and supported every step of the way,” Popp added.
Building a Safe and Supported Community Framework
By practicing standardized emergency response and reunification protocols alongside local law enforcement, USD 428 continues to take a proactive approach to student safety.
A district-wide Safety Committee, composed of staff and administrators, has spent more than two years prioritizing safety concerns, refining district strategies, and collaborating with local agencies and first responders. The group meets regularly to evaluate and strengthen protocols, recognizing that school safety requires ongoing work and constant vigilance.
For more information regarding USD 428’s safety protocols and the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) framework, visit www.greatbendschools.net/safety or contact the District Education Center at 620-793-1500.