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Kentwood Public Schools Safety Department
6230 Kalamazoo Ave
Kentwood, MI 49508
Our main office is located at East Kentwood High School
in the Grand Foyer just inside the Door "A" entrance.
The primary purpose of the Kentwood Public Schools Safety Department is to assist in providing a safe and secure atmosphere for the educational environment of our students and staff.
The KPS Safety Department works in collaboration with our student body, parents/guardians, staff, administrators and local law enforcement to provide a safe and secure learning environment. Our 15 staff work with students and staff in various buildings and in many different capacities.
To report a non-emergency school related incident:
During school hours contact: (616) 698-6700 ext. 42376
After school or weekends contact: (616) 698-6700 ext. 42376 and leave a message.
Relationships Play a Key Role
Kentwood Public Schools understands that building strong, authentic relationships with students is a pivotal piece when it comes to providing safe and secure environments in our buildings. That is why our district makes building these relationships foundational in all of the work that we do. Some examples of how we do this include:
- Capturing Kids' Hearts - This is a longstanding program in Kentwood Public Schools focused on the social-emotional wellbeing of students, creating a culture in schools that is relationship-driven, and making sure students feel connected with their peers, adults in the building, and their overall school community. Kentwood Public Schools is proud to have several schools named Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase Schools on a consistent, annual basis.
- Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports - Also known as PBIS, this is a framework for supporting whole school practices that promote a safe school setting. PBIS calls for supporting social. learning, behavioral and emotional needs of students.
- Restorative Practices - Kentwood Public Schools began district-wide implementation of Restorative Practices in 2022. This framework is aimed at keeping all in the community safe, engaged, and productive. Building community is a key element of Restorative Practices. In addition, Restorative Practices calls for engaging proactively when someone in the community has been harmed. This calls on the person who has been harmed and the person causing the harm to use tools to resolve conflict and work towards restoring trust.
Each of the above strategies and initiatives are part of the larger goal of creating whole-child environments in Kentwood Public Schools, one of four main goal areas outlined in the district's Strategic Plan which was launched in August 2023.
KPS Safety Update Video
Restorative Practices - Circles
Response to 8.24.23 Community Forum
Chad Songer - Director of Safety
Phone: 616-871-1046
Email: chad.songer@kentwoodps.org
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Bonnie Geurink-Koetsier - Secretary to the Director of Safety
Phone: 616-426-5253
Email: bonnie.geurink-koetsier@kentwoodps.org
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Marquis Buggs - Manager of Safety Operations
Phone: 616-426-4516
Email: marquis.buggs@kentwoodps.org
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Julie Didion-Bayne - Safety Coordinator-2nd Shift/Events
Phone: 616-426-4521
Email: julie.didion@kentwoodps.org
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Jerome Gardner - Safety Coordinator-Pinewood Middle School
Phone: 616-426-5060
Email: jerome.gardner@kentwoodps.org
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Michael Lewis - Safety Coordinator-Crestwood Middle School
Phone: 616-426-4296
Email: michael.lewis@kentwoodps.org
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Terrell Varnado - Safety Coordinator-Valleywood Middle School
Phone: 616-426-5222
Email: terrell.varnado@kentwoodps.org