WWPS Emergency Preparedness Update

Message from Superintendent Wade Smith

The school shooting in Parkland, Florida has communities across the nation worried about the safety of their own children. The security of our students remains our top priority and we will not compromise our beliefs. Goal four of the WWPS Strategic Plan is dedicated to school safety. Please take time to read this WWPS Safe Schools update. If you have questions about our processes, preventive safety measures, or response to a specific matter, please contact the appropriate school administrator or the district office. My colleagues and I welcome your input and ideas as we continue to refine our practices to ensure a safe environment for students and staff.

Three Pillars of Emergency Planning
Crisis Prevention
• Emergency Drills and Training (lockdown, evacuation, shelter-in-place, earthquake)
• Suicide Prevention (The Health Center, Walla Walla County Health Department and Comprehensive Mental Health)
• Bullying Prevention (Mark Thompson Consulting, Washington State Risk Management Pool)
• School Resource Officer at Wa-Hi and Security Officers at Wa-Hi, Lincoln HS, Pioneer MS and Garrison MS

Crisis Management
• RCW 28A.320.125 (WWPS meets state requirements for Safe School Plans)
• Incident Command System, training, drills, support from first responders and Safe Schools Committee

Crisis Recovery
• Crisis Recovery procedures and teams at each school

See Something, Say Something – Report It!
• Call the police and district officials any time there is a school safety concern or threat of violence
• WWPS SafeSchools Alert system allows anonymous reporting of bullying, threats and safety concerns
- Phone: 1-855-4ALERT1, ext. 1057
- Text: Text #1057 @tip + your tip to ALERT1 (253781)
- Email: 1057@alert1.us
- Web: http://1057.alert1.us

How does the school district address threats?
• Walla Walla Public Schools takes all threats of violence seriously
• The district immediately investigates the incident in cooperation with local law enforcement officials
• Any student accused of a threat is typically emergency expelled, an administrative designation allowing for the temporary removal of a student from school
• A risk assessment is completed with local authorities or other providers to determine legitimacy of threat

Parent/Staff Communication
• Parents and staff are informed when any legitimate threat is identified (School Messenger, web, social media)
• All genuine safety incidents resulting in an unplanned disruption to the normal routine are communicated

Next Steps and Additional Training
• WWPS officials are attending City of Walla Walla Police Active Shooter training this spring
• WWPS administrators are continually reviewing all safety plans, emergency teams and procedures
• WWPS will coordinate a Safety Summit this summer to enhance safety procedures and response