Bullying is a springboard to violence.
Exposing bullying for what it is and teaching children how to handle it can help create more peaceful communities.
That’s the reasoning behind the "Not in My School" musical safety assembly, led by longtime Mason County school administrator Kevin Kimes.
The "Not in My School" message is frank, upbeat, and empowering, and Kevin has been traveling to schools throughout Michigan to share this message.
The West Shore ESD recently brought in Kevin for both morning and afternoon assemblies to area students with special needs who are in its center-based programs.
Students enjoyed the assemblies, especially the teenage student with theatrical leanings who donned a costume to play "Bobby the Boot," much to their delight.
Kelly Olson, a Special Education Supervisor with the ESD, saw the value of hosting the "Not in My School" presentation for students.
"Kevin first pitched his vision of discouraging bullying by presenting to our students and staff alike to the West Shore ESD program supervisors," said Kelly. "His inspiring message empowering students to be strong and true to who they are meant to be really resonated with us."
CAPTION: Kelly Olson, Bobby, & Kevin Kimes
Kevin said he created the concept for 'Not in My School' about 15 years ago, right after the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
"I was Principal at Mason County Central's (MCC) Upper Elementary," he said, and I had my third, fourth, and fifth-grade students in my charge in mind."
Kevin retired from this position in July 2025, having served for 19 years of his 30-year career in education as an MCC principal, first at the middle school and then the upper elementary.
Prior to his tenure at MCC, he taught at Ludington High School and started its Connections alternative program, which eventually became the county's alternative high school, Journey.
“Having worked with older students, coming to an elementary school seemed like a great opportunity for me to create something positive for younger children that maybe could help all of us shape a kinder and gentler world together,” he said.
As a 1989 graduate of Mason County Central High School, Kevin describes himself not so much as a Spartan, but more as a lifelong songwriter.
He has played guitar in many northern Michigan bands.
Kevin believes the bedrock of treating others with dignity and respect is self-awareness, self-reflection, self-validation, and student accountability.
"Children who are able to recognize the good in themselves are more likely to see the good in others," he said. "And this tends to give them the courage to report a situation that doesn’t seem right to a trusted adult who can stop it."
As the word spread about Kevin's popular and effective school safety assembly, it reached the ears of entrepreneur Rob Couturier, who had invented a super-strong door barricade system called "The Boot," which works by emitting a visual, audible, and electronic alert to announce the start of a lockdown and when the threat is cleared.
Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole inspired a fundraiser to outfit every classroom in the county with "The Boot" shortly after taking office in 2013, and students in Kevin's small Upper Elementary raised an astounding $4,365 toward the project.
Upon learning about Couturier's heart for protecting children in their schools, Kevin felt he had discovered a kindred spirit.
He was compelled to learn more about how Coututier’s Brighton-based business, Lockout USA, provides "The Boot " and other safety products to schools, cities, churches, and other community organizations with public facilities, with the chance, however slight, of having to deal with an active shooter situation.
Now retired from public education, Kevin said he's grateful to have the time to join forces with Coututier's safety response expertise through his "Not in My School” assemblies.
Kevin's assemblies can be tailored for any age group and can be scheduled through Lockout.com.