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Dearborn Heights, MI – Star International Academy (SIA)-George announced it recently partnered with the Dearborn Heights Police to host an active shooter response training for its PreK – 2nd-grade students and staff.

During the Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE) training, students and staff learned how to respond in an active shooter situation – including working with police on lockdown procedures to ensure the building is prepared to handle the threat of an intruder or active shooter proactively.

"The safety of our staff, students, and community is our number one priority at Hamedeh Educational Services," said Dr. Ali Bazzi, Superintendent of Schools. "That is why we continually train and educate our students, staff, and community on how to respond in the event of an active shooter situation in our district. I also want to thank Dearborn Heights Police Department, specifically Chief Hart and Officer Unis, for their ongoing commitment to our community and district."

SIA-George's Principal, Mrs. Osama Bazzi, and the Dean of Students, Mrs. Rima Darwiche, are certified ALICE trainers and have gone through various trainings to help improve upon their district's school safety procedures.

"With determination and dedication, our kiddos proved that ALICE can work for all ages," said Mrs. Darwiche.

ALICE is a response to an active shooter situation that teaches strategies to increase the chances of survival. This training encourages staff and students to respond based on their specific situation, thus promoting a proactive method of defense. During ALICE training, staff and students are also trained to respond to a school intruder, barricading and, counter, and learn evacuation tactics.

"The staff and students did an amazing job, each doing their part to make the practice drill a successful one," said Mrs. Bazzi, Principal of SIA-George. "This experience was an opportunity for both staff and students to explore, reflect, and identify different options on how to stay safe during an active shooter situation."