August 2025

Starting Strong: Safety, Health, and a Great Year Ahead in Hobbs Schools

The start of a new school year is always filled with excitement—new teachers, fresh notebooks, and the chance to learn and grow. For Hobbs Municipal Schools, overall, it has been a strong start where our community will be better because of the time spent on getting better. The start of a new school year is also the perfect time to remind our families and community about something we care deeply about: keeping our students safe and healthy so they can thrive.

When parents drop off their children each morning, they’re placing their trust in us. That trust is sacred, and we take it seriously. One of the key ways we prepare for the unexpected is through the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), a clear and simple safety system used across our schools.

The SRP is built around five easy-to-understand actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Shelter, and Evacuate. Each action has a specific purpose, whether it’s clearing hallways, keeping students indoors, locking down a building, taking cover during severe weather, or leaving the building quickly and calmly.

Our students and staff practice these steps throughout the year. These drills aren’t meant to cause fear—they’re about building confidence. Just like practicing a fire drill, the more familiar everyone is with the process, the more calmly and effectively they can respond if something unexpected happens.

But we know safety is more than just protocols. A truly successful school year means supporting both the physical and emotional well-being of our students. That’s why Hobbs Municipal Schools partners with local organizations to provide counseling, wellness programs, and nutritious meals. When students feel safe, supported, and cared for, they’re better prepared to focus on learning and building bright futures.

This work takes all of us. Parents, teachers, first responders, and community members each play a role in creating a safe, welcoming, and healthy environment for our kids. As we begin this new year, our district is committed to working hand-in-hand with our community so every child has the opportunity to succeed.

The Standard Response Protocol is more than just a safety plan—it’s part of our promise to families. A promise that as we launch into another school year, safety and well-being are at the center of everything we do. Together, as one Hobbs community, we can make this school year not just safe, but truly great.

Gene Strickland

Superintendent

Hobbs Municipal Schools