Social media threats can cause unnecessary fear and disrupt our schools. We ask families to report threats directly to law enforcement, not repost them. Talk with your student about the serious consequences of making threats, even as a joke. Together, we can protect our schools and community.
Emergency Procedures
The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. The information below will assist parents and families in the event of an emergency. For your own safety and the safety of your child, please do not come to the school to retrieve students unless notified to do so.
Please check our district homepage for emergency alert notices.
Safety & Security Department
To report an emergency at one of our schools or facilities, first call 911, then report it to our safety and security office at 206-631-7600.
Communication
In the event of a snowstorm, windstorm, earthquake, threat to campus or other emergency event, Highline Public Schools will implement safety procedures and may change school start or dismissal times for student safety.
Here are the ways we communicate emergency information:
- Email notifications. Please provide the school with your current email address or update it in ParentVUE.
- Automated phone calls and text messages. Please provide your school with current telephone numbers to reach you and other emergency contacts or update this information in ParentVUE.
- Announcements on district and school websites.
- Announcements on social media. Please follow us on Facebook.
- Announcements on TV and radio.
What to Expect
Here is a list of the type of schedule changes you can expect during weather-related events or other emergencies. Making a decision about weather-related school closures is always difficult. We take the decision-making process very seriously. Learn more about how we make decisions on changing the school schedule.
Learn more about safety procedures, such as lockdown, shelter-in-place, and evacuation, and in what types of emergencies they are used.
This Family Communication Chart illustrates what modes of communication we use during a threat to campus, depending on the situation.
Spotlight on Safety
We have seen an increase in threats to school safety posted on social media platforms or in text messages. We treat threats on digital media—and all threats—seriously. All threats are reported to Safety & Security and law enforcement and are investigated. Students may not be aware that posting a threat on social media, text, or any digital media is a crime that can carry serious legal consequences.
The installation of security intercom cameras is complete or in progress at the main entrances of our schools. Office staff will be able to see and talk to external visitors from their workstation, before unlocking the main door. This system was funded by the 2016 school bond.
Safety is our number one priority. Two elementary schools in the Bellevue School District recently reported cyber kidnapping incidents. Cyber kidnapping is a new scam where families are tricked into paying money by making them think a loved one is in danger. Although no cases have been reported in Highline, we are sharing information to help our families stay vigilant and safe.
Every day, students walk to and from school, their bus stops, or just around the neighborhood. Reminding your kids about these safe walking tips helps keep them safe.
Sometimes our schools might lose phone and internet service. When there is an outage, here is what you need to know to keep everyone safe and learning on track.