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Our multi-layered approach includes, but is not limited to, the following national best-practice safety measures:

• A culture of safety in which students and staff understand the importance of reporting suspicious activity.
• Threat Assessment procedures for school administrators and counselors assessing warning signs and how to address concerning behavior.
• Threat Assessment Teams at each school.
• Regular drills practiced monthly for lockdowns, shelter-in-place, earthquake, evacuations, and table-top safety exercises. All schools are required to comply with emergency drill requirements per RCW 28A.320.125 which include:
  • 3 Fire Evacuation drills
  • 3 Lockdown drills
  • Shelter in Place drill
  • Earthquake drill
• Run, Hide, Fight training (sometimes referred to as Active Shooter Training) for students, teachers, and administrators. This training is designed to provide school faculty with a proactive, and when appropriate, aggressive response to an active shooter situation.
• A strong security system, which includes:
  • Programmable door locks (this ensures our buildings can be opened and locked at appropriate times as well as in the case of an emergency).
  • Alarms systems.
  • Intruder locks on classroom doors allowing locking from the inside.  
  • Surveillance cameras allowing district personnel to monitor activity at school sites remotely.
  • Radio and intercom systems.
• Site security and patrol officers at several schools.
• Controlled access—visitor check-ins and ID policies.
• Close working relationship with local law enforcement (Kent Police Department, Covington Police Department, and King County Sheriff’s Office).
• District emergency plans are reviewed and accessible by law enforcement and first responders, with response guides in every classroom.
• Regular meetings of the safety committee to review security and safety data and make system improvement recommendations as appropriate
• Regular safety audits ensuring schools are following district protocols.

Yes, with:

• Ongoing camera enhancements to schools.
• Ongoing enhancements to electronic locks.

All school staff are responsible for monitoring and screening visitors coming onto school property. They have access to security cameras, lock-down systems, and communications. Several of our schools have security officers, whose sole responsibility is school safety. We provide regular safety audits and site visits conducted by School Safety Services. Also, School Safety Services regularly reviews related data and makes recommendations to the superintendent for changes and improvements.

All staff are trained using the Run, Hide Fight method (sometimes referred to as Active Shooter Training), which is designed to provide school faculty with a proactive, and when appropriate, aggressive response to an active shooter.

We investigate all threats, often in partnership with local law enforcement. There is a team of district personnel including the superintendent, safety supervisor, police liaison officer, school principal and other key staff who determine the best course of action given the situation. Each situation is unique; we do our best to provide accurate and timely information to staff, families, community, and the media.

Please rest assured, if we ever feel it is necessary to close school to keep students and staff safe, we will do so. The safety of our students and staff is our priority. While we work to limit disruptions, we work closely with local law enforcement, School Safety Services staff, and the school staff to determine the best course of action to first and foremost protect our students and staff. If it is determined that the threat can be investigated without closing schools while still protecting our students and staff, we will take that course of action.

Because each situation is unique, we will do our best to provide accurate and timely information to staff and families of affected school/s and in certain situations, our community and the media. You may receive information from one or more of these communication channels depending on the situation.

• Letter
• Email
• Autodialer – automated phone message
• ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵapp phone app
• District website
• District social media sites
• FlashAlerts
• Local media

It is important parents and families update their contact information in Skyward. Parents and family members can do this at their school or.

Because each situation is unique, we will do our best to provide accurate and timely information to staff and families of affected school/s and in certain situations, our community and the media.

During an emergency management situation, parents, guardians, and families will be notified. We will include as many details as possible as well as what they need to do.

Periodic updates will be provided as the situation evolves. As soon as a safe and secure reunification site is determined, we will provide this information. 

Your Part

To prevent confusion and further safety concerns, please follow the directions in the communications. It can cause confusion and possibly compromise the efforts of law enforcement and school staff if you go to the school and attempt to pick up your child/children before a safe and secure reunification site is determined.

We believe it is important to notify parents, guardians, and families of an investigation related to a threat being conducted at school, even if the threat is later found to be unsubstantiated. These phone calls are not meant to alarm, but are meant to help inform parents, guardians, and families of a perceived threat.

Yes. We have the capability of notifying all parents, guardians, families, and staff via the auto-dialer system and email. Each situation is unique, and we determine the best way to provide information to all stakeholders, ensuring that parents, guardians, families, and staff of the impacted site receive the information first.

We are always balancing the need to provide quick and accurate information without causing undue alarm. Sometimes the initial information we have regarding a threat may change within the course of a few hours, or in some instances even minutes. We want to provide accurate information as soon as possible. 

When a student makes a threat against other students, staff members, or a school it disrupts the learning environment, even if the student making the threat believes it is a joke. All threats are taken seriously and will result in student discipline according to our Student Code of Conduct. Furthermore, the student’s actions may lead to an investigation by local law enforcement and possible arrest. 

While we work to remove any threats from our schools, we also provide our students the support necessary to ensure the social and emotional well-being of all students. We work in collaboration with partner agencies to ensure the student making the threat receives all necessary assistance. However, we must stress that once a threat is made there will be significant consequences for the individual making the threat, which typically will result in suspension or possible expulsion and possible arrest by local authorities. 

Safety is our priority and we work hard to ensure our schools are healthy and safe, but parents, guardians, and families can help as well. We ask parents, guardians, and families to have a conversation with their children about making threats, both verbally and on social media. This dialogue can help our students understand the negative impact making threats can have on our schools as well as on their friends and their future. 

Additionally, parents, guardians, and families are encouraged to contact your principal, school counselor, or Student and Family Support Services if they believe their child can benefit from counseling or any other support. For more information about the support we can provide, please call (253) 373-7235.

Principals will reinforce with students and teachers the concept of, “see something, say something.” We commend students who have brought threats to our attention. This has been instrumental in ensuring the safety of our students and staff.

Additionally, we encourage students to speak to a school counselor or safety officer if they feel they, or a fellow student, may need assistance or support. Any students wishing to speak to a counselor, teacher, administrator, or any other staff member will be helped. By working together, we will keep our schools safe.