Safety and Security

Safety Procedures

Safety Incident, Actions & Notification Process

Each school has a plan with specified roles and responsibilities for handling various types of emergencies. Specific safety procedures will be followed, depending on the type of emergency. Every situation is unique, so school staff may adjust their response to address student safety first.

To report an emergency at one of our schools or facilities, first call 911, then report it to our safety and Security manager at 253 582-7357.

A school implements one of the following procedures in response to a safety issue or emergency:

Safety Reminders

When a safety concern is raised—whether it’s a social media rumor or a report of concerning behavior in the school community—we take it seriously. Our goal is to provide clear, timely communication that supports awareness, builds trust, and reinforces safety protocols. The information below outlines how families can expect to receive updates and what actions they can take to support a calm, informed response.

Staff & Family Action

During this time our staff is aware of the situation and reinforcing protocol. Families are asked to provide support by sharing only verified information distributed by the school. 

How will families know?

After school notification. No follow-up unless new, actionable information emerges. Families are notified using email and ParentSquare app.

Set Up Texts and Alerts in ParentSquare

You can choose how and when you receive messages from ParentSquare. Select email, text, or app and choose Instant or Digest timing. We recommend turning on text notifications and using the Digest setting to receive one daily summary of non-urgent messages while urgent alerts still come through right away.

SETTING YOUR NOTIFICATION PREFERENCES

• Log in to ParentSquare
• Click your name in the top right corner to update your notification and language settings
• Select Instant or Digest for each school 
• Choose how you'd like to receive messages—by email, text, or app
• Emergency alerts—such as closures due to weather, active emergencies and lockdowns—will always be sent via app, email, and text. Other safety notifications—like “safety FYIs,”“hold,” “secure,” or after-event messages—are sent through Smart Alerts and will follow your chosen notification preferences.

ACCESSING PARENTSQUARE

Use the links below to download the ParentSquare mobile app. 

FAMILY SAFETY

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We have emergency plans in place, developed with local law enforcement and first responders. While the instinct to come to school during an emergency is natural, doing so may put you and others at risk and disrupt response efforts. Please support our safety plans by staying informed and following the steps outlined below.

Parent's Role in an Emergency

STAY HOME

Do not come to the school or call during emergencies. This disrupts response efforts and risks safety. Wait for instructions and check our website, texts, or email for updates.

STAY INFORMED

Keep your contact information up to date so we can reach you with emergency alerts. Download ParentSquare to receive real-time updates and moment.

BE READY

Visit our website for the latest emergency information, including when and where to safely pick up your child. Check texts and email regularly for updates and instructions.

To report an emergency at one of our schools or facilities, first call 911, then report it to our safety and security manager at

How We Respond to Emergencies

We use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). The SRP is used nationwide. There are five clear actions to help everyone—students, staff, families, and first responders—know exactly what to do in a variety of situations:

HOLD – Stay in classrooms to keep hallways clear.

SECURE – Lock outside doors; continue normal activities inside.

LOCKDOWN – Lock doors, turn off lights, stay quiet and out of sight.

EVACUATE – Leave the building safely to a designated location.

SHELTER – Take protective action for environmental hazards.

Family Safety & Emergency Best Practices

Have a Family Plan

Each family should have a plan for what to do if your child arrives home early due to an emergency, including the following:

What is the best route home if your child cannot be delivered to the normal bus stop?  

Where could they go if they needed help?  

Who would care for them until you arrive?  

If you are not available, is there someone your child knows to call? 

SEE A SAFETY CONCERN ON SOCIAL MEDIA? REPORT, DON'T REPOST

Avoid spreading unverified information on social media. Instead, report any concerns directly to law enforcement and our Safety and Security department. Reposting or sharing a threat in an attempt to warn others spreads the threat farther from its original source and causes unnecessary alarm and fear. 

What Happens in a School Emergency? 

Each school has a plan with specified roles and responsibilities for handling various types of e-mergencies. Specific safety procedures are followed, depending on the type of emergency. Every situation is unique, so school staff may adjust their response to address student safety first. 

Safety & Security Information

Keeping Your Child Safe

Review our emergency procedures for information on our safety procedures and communication plans. 

Here are a few things you can do to keep your child safe and make sure we can contact you in case of an emergency: 

Stay Informed and Connected 

Make sure your students’ schools have your current telephone numbers and emergency contact information. Contact your school to update your information

Monitor media, including the district website, Facebook and Instagram feeds, and radio and TV stations for announcements and school schedule changes. 

You can help keep students safe by NOT calling or coming to school during an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible with information and instructions. School staff will always give their attention to keeping students safe first.

Safety Tips for Traveling TO and FROM School

Map out with your children a safe way for them to walk to school or to the bus stop, if you can't go with them. Avoid busy roads and intersections. Do a trial run with them to point out places they should avoid along the way, such as vacant lots, construction areas, and parks where there aren’t many people.

Teach children to follow traffic signals and rules when walking or biking. Stress that they should cross the street at crosswalks or intersections with crossing guards when they can.

Encourage children to walk to school or the bus stop with a sibling or friend, if possible, and to wait at bus stops with other children.

Please follow the rules of the drop-off zone if you deliver your children to school in your car.  Park in a parking lot or parking space if you must leave your car when dropping children off or picking them up. Don't leave your vehicle unattended in a drop-off/pick-up zone during busy, no-parking times when lots of traffic is arriving or departing. Make sure your children exit from the safe side of the car, not on the traffic side.

Teach children not to talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or accept gifts from them without your permission. Tell them that if they see a suspicious stranger hanging around or in their school they should tell an adult.

Help children memorize their phone number and full address, including area code and zip code. Write down other important phone numbers such as your work and cell phone on a card for your children to carry with them.