Garfield High School

I want to address alcohol use at weekend gatherings and the importance of consent, personal boundaries, and student safety. I encourage families to discuss these issues with their students and establish clear expectations about alcohol use and behavior.

Alcohol can impair judgment and affect a person's ability to give consent. Consent must be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time. Someone who is asleep, unconscious, or too impaired to understand what is happening cannot consent to sexual activity. Students are expected to respect the boundaries of others and never pressure anyone into drinking or sexual activity. Alcohol is never an excuse for sexual assault, and drinking does not make someone responsible for being assaulted.

Families should know where their student is going, who is hosting gatherings, whether adults will be present, and how their student will get home. Talk with your student about alcohol use and what to do if they find themselves in an unsafe situation. Make sure they know they can contact you or another trusted adult for help, even if alcohol is involved.

Students who experience sexual assault or have concerns about another student's safety can speak with a counselor, administrator, or trusted adult. No student should hesitate to seek help because alcohol was involved.

I also want to remind students that spreading rumors, sharing private information, or using social media and group chats to harass, intimidate, or retaliate against others is unacceptable. These behaviors can cause additional harm and will be addressed under school and district expectations. Students with information or concerns should bring them to a counselor or administrator rather than circulate rumors or make assumptions about others.

What happens outside of school can affect students when they return to Garfield. We will respond to concerns that affect student safety at school and help students access the support they need.

Resources for Students and Families

Garfield High School: Students can speak with a counselor, administrator, or trusted staff member for support or to report concerns.

King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC): Free, confidential support available 24 hours a day. Call 888-998-6423.

National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): Free, confidential support available 24 hours a day. Call 800-656-4673, text HOPE to 64673, or visit RAINN's online hotline.

Seattle Public Schools Title IX Office: Call 206-252-0367 or email title.ix@seattleschools.org.

SAMHSA, "Talk. They Hear You.": Resources for families about underage drinking and substance use.

For emergencies, call 911.

Garfield High School will administer the PSAT/NMSQT to 11th grade students on Tuesday, October 13, and the SAT School Day to 12th grade students on Wednesday, October 14. Both assessments will take place in the Auxiliary Gym.

Students participating in either assessment have been assigned to a morning or afternoon testing session based on their last name. Students must report to the Auxiliary Gym by their assigned time and have College Board's Bluebook testing application installed and working on their district-provided laptop.

Families should review the information below carefully, particularly the testing schedules, late-arrival requirements, and Bluebook installation instructions.

Testing Schedule

Tuesday, October 13: PSAT/NMSQT for 11th Grade

Morning Session

Last names: A through Markey

Location: Auxiliary Gym

Required arrival: 8:50 a.m.

Afternoon Session

Last names: Martinez through Z

Location: Auxiliary Gym

Required arrival: 12:45 p.m.

Students assigned to the afternoon session must attend their regularly scheduled morning classes. They will be released with time to report to the Auxiliary Gym.

PSAT/NMSQT Family Information in Multiple Languages

Wednesday, October 14: SAT School Day for 12th Grade

Morning Session

Last names: A through Kukreja

Location: Auxiliary Gym

Required arrival: 8:50 a.m.

Afternoon Session

Last names: Lampiha through Z

Location: Auxiliary Gym

Required arrival: 12:30 p.m.

Students assigned to the afternoon session must attend their regularly scheduled morning classes. They will be released with time to report to the Auxiliary Gym.

A small number of students may receive individual testing assignments that differ from the alphabetical ranges listed above. Students who receive specific instructions from the testing team should follow those assignments.

Important: Wednesday afternoon's SAT administration may continue beyond Garfield's regular Wednesday early dismissal time. Students and families should plan accordingly. Students must remain in the Auxiliary Gym until their assessment is complete and testing staff dismiss them, even if the regular school day has ended.

SAT School Day Family Information in Multiple Languages

Late Arrivals and Missed Testing Sessions

There will be no late admission to either testing session on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Students must be physically inside the Auxiliary Gym by their assigned reporting time. Arriving at the school building or being somewhere else on campus by that time does not meet the requirement.

The following rules will apply to both assessments:

1. Students who arrive after their assigned reporting time will not be admitted to testing.

2. Students who miss their assigned morning session may not switch to the afternoon session.

3. Students who miss their assigned afternoon session may not join another testing session that day.

4. Students who arrive late or miss their assigned session will need to participate in a makeup administration.

5. Students must follow their assigned testing schedule unless they receive different instructions directly from the testing team.

Students should arrive at school early enough to enter the building and report directly to the Auxiliary Gym before their required reporting time.

Students should not plan to arrive at school at 8:50 a.m. if their required reporting time is 8:50 a.m. They must already be inside the Auxiliary Gym by that time.

Students Who Are Not Testing

Regular classes will continue throughout both testing days.

Students who are not scheduled to take the PSAT on Tuesday or the SAT on Wednesday should report to school as usual and follow their regular class schedules.

This includes 11th grade students who choose not to take the PSAT and 12th grade students who choose not to take the SAT.

Students assigned to afternoon testing sessions are expected to attend their regularly scheduled morning classes. When released for testing, they must report directly to the Auxiliary Gym. Students should not stop at another classroom, visit friends, or remain in the hallways.

All students not participating in testing are expected to attend their scheduled classes.

Bluebook Installation Is Required Before Testing

Both the PSAT and SAT are digital assessments administered through College Board's Bluebook application.

Students must use their district-provided laptop for testing. Bluebook must be downloaded, installed, and working before students arrive for their assigned testing session.

Having a laptop with you is not enough. Students must open Bluebook before test day and confirm that the application launches successfully.

The following requirements apply:

1. Students must bring their district-provided laptop.

2. Bluebook must be installed and working before the assigned testing session.

3. Students must verify that Bluebook opens. Having the application icon on the desktop does not guarantee that it is working.

4. Students must bring their laptop fully charged and have their charger available.

5. Students who arrive without Bluebook installed and working will not be able to participate in their assigned testing session.

6. Students unable to test because Bluebook is not installed or working will need to participate in a makeup administration.

Students should complete the installation and verify that Bluebook works before their scheduled testing day.

Step-by-Step Bluebook Installation Instructions

Students should complete the following steps using the district laptop they plan to bring to testing.

Step 1: Restart your district laptop.

Restart the device before beginning the Bluebook installation process.

Step 2: Sign in to the special Bluebook Windows account.

At the Windows login screen, enter the following credentials:

Username: cbbluebook

Password: college

These credentials allow students to access the district laptop's Bluebook testing account.

Step 3: Locate Bluebook on the desktop.

Look for the Bluebook application icon.

If the icon is present, open Bluebook to confirm that it launches successfully.

Step 4: Install Bluebook if it is missing.

If Bluebook is not installed, select the Install Bluebook icon on the desktop.

This will open Software Center and begin the installation process.

Step 5: Allow time for installation.

Installation may take up to 10 minutes after signing in to the Bluebook Windows account.

Students should allow enough time for the process to finish.

Step 6: Troubleshoot installation problems.

If Bluebook does not install, open Install Bluebook or Software Center and check the installation status.

If the application does not show Installed, complete the following:

1. Select Options.

2. Expand Computer Maintenance.

3. Select Sync Policy.

4. Allow the process to complete and attempt the installation again.

Step 7: Verify that Bluebook works.

Open Bluebook after installation.

Students must confirm that the application launches successfully. Do not assume the laptop is ready simply because the Bluebook icon appears on the desktop.

Step 8: Get help if Bluebook does not work.

If Bluebook still does not install or open, restart the laptop and repeat the cbbluebook login and installation process.

If the problem continues, bring the laptop to Room 231 during Student Tech Hours.

Step 9: Charge your laptop and bring your charger.

Students should fully charge their district laptop before testing and bring the charger to their assigned session.

The cbbluebook username and password are used to access the district laptop's Bluebook Windows account. Once Bluebook opens, students will use their College Board testing account information, as directed by testing staff, to access their assessment.

Families may review the Bluebook Account FAQ

Final Reminders for Students and Families

The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered Tuesday, October 13, for 11th grade students. The SAT School Day will be administered Wednesday, October 14, for 12th grade students.

All testing will take place in the Auxiliary Gym.

Tuesday, October 13: PSAT

Morning: A through Markey, inside the gym by 8:50 a.m.

Afternoon: Martinez through Z, inside the gym by 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday, October 14: SAT

Morning: A through Kukreja, inside the gym by 8:50 a.m.

Afternoon: Lampiha through Z, inside the gym by 12:30 p.m.

Please remember:

1. There will be no late admission to testing.
2. Students who miss their assigned testing session cannot switch to another session that day.
3. Students must have Bluebook installed and working on their district-provided laptop before arriving.
4. Students must bring their fully charged district laptop and charger.
5. Students who arrive late or do not have Bluebook installed and working will need to participate in a makeup administration.
6. Students not testing, including 11th and 12th graders who choose not to participate, must attend their regularly scheduled classes.
7. Wednesday afternoon SAT testing may extend beyond the regular school dismissal time.

Families should confirm their student's assigned testing session and ensure that their laptop is prepared before testing day.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us administer the PSAT and SAT at Garfield High School.

Over the next weeks, Garfield High School will begin implementing Securly, a digital platform that will help us manage student movement throughout the building and expand opportunities during Advisory. We will use Securly Pass to manage digital hall passes and Securly Flex to coordinate academic support, student clubs, and organizations during Advisory.

The purpose is to improve student supervision, reduce unnecessary time away from instruction, and provide a more organized way for students to access academic assistance and participate in school activities.

Digital Hall Passes

Securly Pass will replace traditional paper hall passes with a digital system. When students need to leave class to use the restroom or visit another approved location, they will submit a pass request electronically. Teachers will review and approve requests, and the system will record the student's destination and time away from class.

Authorized school staff will be able to view active passes to determine which students have permission to be outside their classrooms, where they are expected to be, and how long they have been away. Administrators will also be able to review pass records to identify patterns of excessive time away from instruction.

This will help us improve hallway and restroom supervision, address unauthorized movement throughout the building, and reduce missed instructional time.

Students will access the system through a web browser using the school's designated login process. Students who do not have access to a laptop can have a pass created by their teacher. Students will not need to carry their laptops when traveling to an approved destination.

Securly Pass does not use GPS to track students' physical locations. Instead, it records approved destinations and pass activity so staff can better account for students during the school day.

Students will continue to have access to restrooms and other school services. They will be expected to obtain permission before leaving class, travel directly to their approved destination, and return promptly.

Academic Support, Clubs, and Organizations During Advisory

Advisory provides time during the school day for two important purposes: academic support and participation in student clubs and organizations. Securly Flex will help us coordinate these opportunities, manage schedules, and record attendance.

Academic Support

Teachers will be able to schedule students for tutoring, additional instruction, assistance with missing assignments, preparation for assessments, and other academic support.

Students will also have opportunities to receive assistance from teachers in subjects where they need additional help. This will allow us to provide academic support during the school day rather than relying exclusively on opportunities before or after school.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Securly Flex will also help us coordinate meetings and activities for student clubs, organizations, leadership groups, and other school-sponsored programs during Advisory.

Club advisers and staff sponsors will be able to schedule meetings, service projects, leadership activities, and planning sessions for school events.

Providing time for these activities during the school day will increase opportunities for student involvement, including for students who cannot regularly participate in activities before or after school.

How Will Securly Flex Work During Advisory?

Teachers and staff will create sessions for academic support, clubs, and student organizations. Students will be able to view their scheduled activities and locations electronically.

Students participating in these sessions will report directly to their scheduled locations, where attendance will be recorded. Students who are not scheduled for another activity will remain in their regular Advisory classrooms.

This will allow us to coordinate academic support and student activities while maintaining clear expectations for attendance and supervision.

Implementation

Garfield will begin rolling out Securly over the next weeks. Students and staff will receive instructions on accessing the system, requesting digital hall passes, and using Securly Flex during Advisory.

Securly will help us strengthen supervision throughout the building while making Advisory a more effective part of the school day for academic assistance and student involvement.

Garfield High School does not have designated student parking on campus. Students who drive to school are responsible for finding legal parking off campus and allowing enough time to park, walk to the building, and arrive to class on time.

As outlined in the Garfield Student and Family Handbook, page 25, under “Student Parking,” students should not park in:

• The staff parking lot behind the Performing Arts Center (PEPAC)
• The staff and administrative parking area next to the football field

These areas are reserved for staff and authorized vehicles.

We understand that parking around Garfield can be challenging. At the same time, our campus has a limited number of parking spaces, and we must maintain adequate, dedicated parking for staff. When students park in these areas, it reduces the spaces available for employees who need to be on campus to support students and operate the school.

For that reason, parking expectations in these two areas will be actively and consistently enforced. Security staff and administrators will monitor both lots. Vehicles parked without authorization may receive a parking violation sticker. The student will be expected to move the vehicle and correct the parking issue. Repeated violations or refusal to follow the parking expectation will be addressed through Student Conduct and the Bulldog Way.

We are asking students who drive to school to plan ahead, park legally off campus, and respect the parking areas reserved for staff and authorized vehicles.

The staff lot behind PEPAC and the staff and administrative lot next to the football field are not available for student parking.

Garfield students in grades 9 through 12 are invited to apply for the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s Connections Program, a free program designed to help students build friendships, strengthen leadership and life skills, and contribute to a more welcoming and inclusive school community.

Students who complete the program can earn 60 service learning hours while participating in weekly activities, peer mentoring, and three Saturday field trips. Snacks and all program activities are provided at no cost.

There are currently only 12 spots remaining, so interested students are encouraged to apply soon.

Program Dates: October 15 through January 21

Orientation: Thursday, October 15, during Advisory in Room 203A

Weekly Meetings: Alternating Thursdays during Advisory and from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 203A

Saturday Field Trips:

October 24
November 14
December 5

The Connections Program is a small, focused group where students can meet new people, develop leadership and communication skills, participate in activities and field trips, and help strengthen the sense of community at Garfield.

Applications will remain open until all available spots are filled.

Students with questions can contact Ms. Amber Inwood at acinwood@seattleschools.org or stop by Room 203A on Thursdays or Fridays.

Families of Garfield seniors are invited to a Financial Aid and College Application Workshop on Wednesday, October 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Garfield High School Library.

The Garfield Counseling Office is partnering with the College Network to provide families with one-on-one support as they work through the college application and financial aid process. Staff and experienced volunteers will be available to answer questions, help families complete forms, and provide guidance on next steps.

Families can receive help with:

• FAFSA applications
• WASFA applications
• College applications
• Financial aid questions
• Application requirements and deadlines
• General college planning and next steps

Families should bring their senior, a laptop and charger, and any questions they have about the process. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

This is a good opportunity for families who are just getting started as well as those who have already begun applications but need additional help.

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Garfield High School Library

Registration: Register for the Financial Aid and College Application Workshop