Ravens SOAR Newsletter 10/18/26

Principal Message

Hello Families!

I hope this finds you all doing well! A huge shout-out to all the families who joined us for Curriculum Night last week! We had a fantastic turnout, and it was wonderful to see so many families walking a day in their students’ shoes, connecting with teachers, and getting a glimpse into the learning happening in our classrooms.

It's hard to believe we're already in mid-October! As we settle into the fall, this is a great time for families to check in on their students' grades, celebrate their progress, and have conversations about areas for growth.

Please take a moment to check out the announcements below, along with some great pictures of our Ravens SOARing! As always, don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns along the way.

In community,

Zac, Devin, & Bunmi
Proud Admin Team – Robert Eagle Staff Middle School

Previous Newsletters:

Safety Update From 10/16/26

Shelter In Place Last Friday

I wanted to take a moment to follow up on the safety concern that led to our shelter-in-place procedure last Friday, October 16.

First, I want to extend a huge thank you to our very own Ms. Hart, Ms. Reddy, and Cascadia Elementary Principal Ms. Mackey for their leadership and collaboration as both schools navigated this safety concern. Their calm, thoughtful, and student-centered approach helped ensure the safety and well-being of our school communities.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to clarify the difference between a shelter-in-place and a lockdown, as I know these terms can sometimes create confusion or concern for families.

What is a Shelter-in-Place?

I like to think of a shelter-in-place as a safety procedure we initiate when there is a potential concern outside of our school building, but students and staff are safe and secure inside.

During a shelter-in-place:

Students and staff remain inside the building.
Outside activities and movement in and out of the building are restricted.
Inside the school, teaching and learning continue as usual.

Essentially, we are taking an extra precaution to keep everyone safe while minimizing disruptions to the school day.

What is a Lockdown?

A lockdown is a more restrictive safety procedure used when there is a potential or immediate threat inside the building or close enough to pose a direct danger.

During a lockdown:

Students and staff move into secure spaces or remain in classrooms.
Doors are locked, and everyone stays quiet and out of sight.
Teaching and learning pause as we prioritize safety and await further instructions.

What should parents do when these protocols are in place?

When emergency protocols are in place, the admin team communicates with families as soon as possible. There is no need to pick up your student unless that is clearly communicated by admin. At that time, there will be a robo-call that will share a reunification plan to families. This message will share the process for picking up your students.

What Happened on Friday?

On Friday, Cascadia Elementary received multiple threatening phone calls from an individual outside the school, including threats of a school shooting. While these threats were understandably concerning, there was no identified immediate threat inside either school building.

Out of an abundance of caution, both Cascadia Elementary and Robert Eagle Staff Middle School initiated shelter-in-place procedures. Following guidance from the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and Seattle Public Schools (SPS) Safety and Security, we also implemented a controlled, gradual dismissal to ensure students could leave campus safely.

I want to recognize both SPD and SPS Safety and Security for their swift response, collaboration, and support throughout the incident and during dismissal. Their presence and guidance were greatly appreciated.

Finally, thank you to the many families who reached out with questions, feedback, and thoughtful recommendations. We recognize that situations like these can be unsettling, especially when communication doesn’t reach everyone as quickly as we would like. We are reflecting on our communication systems and working to strengthen how we share timely information with all families.

As always, the safety, wellness, and sense of belonging of our students remain at the center of everything we do. We take that responsibility seriously, and I am grateful to be part of a community that cares so deeply about our kids and one another.

Thank you for your continued trust, patience, and partnership. We are always stronger when we work together.

In community,

Zac Stowell, Principal