Starting April 14, 2025, we’re introducing the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to keep everyone safe and informed during emergencies. With five easy-to-understand actions—Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter—the SRP helps students, staff, and families know exactly what to do.
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. Please do not come to the school unless you are told to do so. This helps keep everyone—your child, other students, and staff—safe.
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.
How We Respond to Emergencies
We use the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). The SRP is used nationwide. There are five clear actions to help everyone—students, staff, families, and first responders—know exactly what to do in a variety of situations:
- HOLD – Stay in classrooms to keep hallways clear.
- SECURE – Lock outside doors; continue normal activities inside.
- LOCKDOWN – Lock doors, turn off lights, stay quiet and out of sight.
- EVACUATE – Leave the building safely to a designated location.
- SHELTER – Take protective action for environmental hazards.
Learn More about the Standard Response Protocol
Weather or Emergency Closures
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 (coming soon) illustrates what modes of communication we use during a threat to campus, depending on the situation.
Spotlight on Safety
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.
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.
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.
Please check our district homepage for emergency alert notices.