Friday Family Message

Several neighboring school districts have experienced safety and security incidents in recent weeks. We want to remind everyone that schools need to be a place free from violence, bullying and harassment, and the influence of substance use.

Schools where students feel emotionally and physically safe are linked to improved student and school outcomes.

"We expect students to engage in safe behavior, in partnership with support from their families,” said Bud McCurry, our School Resource Officer and a Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputy. “Everyone should help keep our schools a welcoming place.”

Here are some of the efforts we take to keep kids safe:

• Security cameras and locked doors at each school. Only Stanwood-Camano School District staff with keys or key badges are able to access a school during school hours. Visitors are only allowed entrance after speaking with an office member on a video doorbell.

• Highly-trained safety and security staff to monitor, protect, and respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The safety team — which includes our School Resource Officer, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputy Bud McCurry — is available to every school.

• Regular training for students and staff, including fire drills, lockdown/lockout drills, earthquake drills, and shelter-in-place drills. In addition, district staff conduct “tabletop” drills with local law enforcement personnel and first responders to practice roles and responsibilities during various simulated emergency situations.

• SafeSchools Alert — an online reporting system allows students, staff, and families to submit safety concerns to our administration five different ways:

• Visit the website http://1621.alert1.us

• Email your tip to 1621@alert1.us

• Call to report your tip 425-366-7201

• Text your tip to 425-366-7201

• App: Search for "SafeSchoolsAlert" in the App Store to download for free

• Robust online resources:

• Find a comprehensive collection of information, tools, and resources that can help families be prepared for a school emergency as part of our Safety & Wellness webpages.

• We have created a downloadable and printable Emergency Preparedness sheet that can help students and families be safe at home and find useful information in an emergency.

• In addition, Ready.gov features many more resources to help families plan and prepare for emergencies.

Feedback or questions? Email us at SCSDinfo@stanwood.wednet.edu

Congratulations to our October Classified and Certified Employees of the Month!

John Clark, a bus driver in our Transportation department, was honored as the Classified Employee of the Month. He was nominated by a parent for always going above and beyond to make sure buses are safe for kids.

Utsalady Elementary School teacher Karin Reed earned the Certificated Employee of the Month award. She was nominated by a parent for her being attentive, organized, and willing to always make time to speak with families.

Please let us know about the extraordinary work our staff is doing by completing our simple form on our Employee Recognition Program webpage.

You can nominate a staff member for Classified or Certificated Employee of the Month. Heritage Bank is a proud sponsor of the employee recognition program in partnership with Stanwood and Camano-Island area businesses.