Remembering Those Affected by School Violence

As we recently have been reminded in the news, school safety is something we can not take for granted. Threats to our kids, colleagues and families may come from a variety of causes, but the impacts are always felt, and always difficult to understand.

Though we may not want to think about it, sadly, we must do what we can to prepare for the possibility that school violence can happen anywhere. That is why, at our Representative Assembly last spring, delegates passed New Business Item 1, calling for the third Friday in October to be School Safety Day.

The NBI has two purposes. The first is to encourage all educators to request and review copies of their school emergency plans. Knowing what is in these plans, and how to respond if the unthinkable should happen, is critical to the safety and well-being of our students, our co-workers, ourselves and our families. So please, reach out to your building and association representatives, to your local membership, and ask them to get, share and discuss their school safety plans.

The second purpose is to take a moment to pause and reflect, in honor of the parents, staff, students, heroes and school communities who have suffered a school-based tragedy. I invite you all to take a moment of silence on Friday, Oct. 23, in honor of those who have suffered losses from school-based violence.

Recognizing the importance of maintaining schools as safe harbors, Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed the week of October 19 as School Safety Week in Washington. You can find a copy of the proclamation and a school safety icon that we encourage you to use on Facebook so we can bring attention to this important, and solemn, issue.