Ever idly wonder what Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) would do if immigration agents came to a school? Ever idly wonder what MPS would do if there was a student-organized walkout? Well, idly wonder no longer. (There have already been some student-organized walkouts.)
On Wednesday, MPS Interim Deputy Superintendent Michael Harris sent an email addressed to the MPS Community, detailing what the district would do in the above situations and more. Here are the details from the email:
Immigration status and enrollment
• MPS does not ask for immigration status of families. No public school has a basis to deny children access to education based on immigration status, according to federal court rulings.
What would happen if an immigration agent came to a school
• The school would call a HOLD, which means students stay in their classrooms and staff lock classroom doors. (The HOLD action is part of the nationally recognized Standard Response Protocol used by schools across the country.)
• The school would refer the individuals away from the school and to MPS Central Services and the Department of Student Services. (These practices are consistent with how the district handles other law enforcement requests.)
• Detailed steps are available in presentations posted on the Safe Haven webpage.
• In the coming weeks, at a time when students are not present, MPS school staff members will practice a HOLD action in order to be best prepared.
Our Safe Haven resolution and resources
• These practices are based on the district’s Safe Haven Resolution, which was approved by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.
• We continue to update the Safe Haven webpage with resources available in multiple languages.
Student-led walkouts
• We recognize the rights of our students to share their opinions and views.
• While not district- or school-organized or sponsored, students at a number of high schools have led walkouts.
• When this happens, students are marked absent, we monitor students while they remain on campus for their safety, and students who participate are allowed back into the building.
Staff political activity
• MPS also respects the personal civic engagement of our employees, however, such activities must occur outside of work hours and without the use of district resources.
• Employees may not engage in political-related activities during the workday, while supervising students, or while using district time or resources. This includes in-person activity, electronic communications, and the use of district systems.
So there you go. Stay safe, Milwaukee.
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