Connecting With the Superintendent

Dear Families,

As one year closes and another approaches, I find myself reflecting on the strength of this community and the care we show one another. Again and again, I see resilience in our schools: students who try their best each day, staff who guide and support them, and families who stay connected during times of change and challenge. These moments remind me why our communities are such special places to learn and live.

That sense of resilience was present in the recent walkout at Forest Grove High School. More than 350 students chose to express their concerns about immigration enforcement activity in our region. Students shared their voices with respect and care for one another. While we prefer that students express their opinions on campus, we respect their right to peacefully protest and acknowledge the thoughtful way they engaged with a situation that is deeply affecting family, friends, and neighbors.

Events like these, and the concerns students voiced during the walkout, have prompted many to ask how we keep them safe at school. In times of increased uncertainty and stress, it is natural for students and families to seek reassurance about the systems that support them. In response to these questions, I want to share the safety practices that are in place in every FGSD school each day.

Safety begins with a culture of respect and the systems that help students feel welcome and protected at school. Along with this foundation, our schools follow the practices below:

• Locked and monitored entry. School doors lock at the start of the instructional day and remain locked until dismissal.
  

• Controlled access. Only authorized adults with a clear purpose for being at the school are allowed inside our buildings during the instructional day.
  

• Daily attendance checks. Attendance is taken at the start of each period in secondary schools and at the start of each day in elementary schools so we know which students are present.
  

• Protection of student information. Student records and personal information are safeguarded under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
  

• Student rights and due process. We do not release students to law enforcement without explicit parental permission or a judicial arrest warrant.
  

• Limits on immigration enforcement. Oregon law (ORS 181A.820) prohibits public employees from participating in federal immigration enforcement, and our district fully upholds this requirement.
  

• Access to SafeOregon for all students, staff, and families. SafeOregon “gives kids, parents, schools, and their communities a way to report safety threats or potential acts of violence confidentially or anonymously with a simple phone call, text, email or by using the web form or mobile app.”

The Forest Grove School District remains steadfast in its commitment that every student has the right to learn in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. Our district policies, including those in the KN series, reflect these commitments and guide the decisions we make each day.

As we carry that commitment into the winter break, many of us look forward to time to slow down, connect with family and friends, and maybe complete a home project or two. It is a welcome pause in a fast-moving year.

At the same time, I want to acknowledge that not everyone in our community will have that experience. Immigration enforcement activity in western Washington County, including Forest Grove and Cornelius, has placed heavy strain on many families. Some students have shared stories of coming home to find a parent missing or staying indoors because they fear separation. Others have seen family income disappear overnight and now face concerns about food, housing, and basic needs. These situations affect far more than daily routines; they shape a child’s sense of safety and readiness to learn. I am grateful for the compassion shown by our staff and by many of you during this difficult time.

As we move into the break, I hope each family can find moments of rest, connection, or joy in the ways that are possible for you. And for those who continue to ask how they can help, there are meaningful ways to make a difference:

Support local food access. Our area has several food banks, including those at Forest Grove High School and Neil Armstrong Middle School. One person can pick up food for several families and deliver boxes. Donations of non-perishable food may be dropped off at local food banks or at our Community and Family Resource Center at Cornelius Elementary School during school hours.

Check in on neighbors who are elderly, immobile, or housebound. If you are able, help connect neighbors to services they may not be able to access, including health care through the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center or transportation support through Ride Connection.

Engage with empathy and care. Small acts, such as checking in on a neighbor, offering a meal, providing transportation, or simply listening, remind those around us that they are part of a caring community.

I am grateful for the steady strength of our families and our shared commitment to every student.

Warmly,
Dr. Suzanne West
Superintendent