Orcas Island School District

Archive for the ‘District notifications’ Category

Please see the attached document for more information. Community Meeting Information

The Orcas Island community is invited to help craft a consensus as to what changes to local practices and attitudes we could make in order to lower the risk of a tragedy like Newtown (or Columbine) occurring on Orcas Island. Ideally, the group will include persons with special insight into our schools, local law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, youth and senior services, and firearms used for hunting, sport, and self defense. I hope you find this topic sufficiently compelling for it to be worthy of your time.

-Fred Klein

Student and staff safety are a top priority for the Orcas Island School District. Our ongoing efforts to evaluate our school safety and security procedures have been given new importance in the wake of the tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut. We would like to thank Fred Klein for his efforts in bringing our community together to discuss a topic of the utmost importance to all of us. We welcome the opportunity to be active participants in the proposed community meetings and look forward to a constructive process that we hope will provide a chance to clearly define the role that we all can play in ensuring the safety of the most precious members of our community. The results of these meetings will play an important part in the re-evaluation of our current policies and procedures. We hope that you will join us in participating in this important discussion.

-Orcas Island School District

Posted January 4th, 2013 in District notifications, Uncategorized.

Message for Parents:

We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the news of the tragic school shooting that took place today in Connecticut. The students, teachers, and families of Newtown, Connecticut will be in the thoughts and prayers of many of us in the coming days. We would like all OISD families to know that we have school counselors available to speak with any students who have questions or are effected in any way by this news. Tragedies of this magnitude can bring about numerous questions and concerns and we are here to provide the support and care that any student may need.

Please also note that student safety and campus security are responsibilities that we take very seriously. While we would like to think that living on Orcas Island protects us from many of the scary realities of todays world we also know that Lockdown drills such as the one conducted on campus last week and the upcoming drills that the Sheriff’s and Fire Departments will be carrying out on our campus over the winter break are steps we can take to ensure that we have prepared for these types of unthinkable events.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact any of our school administration.

Posted December 15th, 2012 in District notifications, Public Notices.

Talking with your children about Friday’s events:

As we all struggle to deal with the tragic events that took place today in Connecticut we would like to offer the following advice that has been shared with us about how to speak with your children and deal with this event in your home.

Our thoughts go out to the families affected and we hope for the quick recovery of those injured in the shooting. We are sending our thoughts of support and caring to each of you as you work to handle this tragic news. As parents, we all feel the pain of this loss.

Your child may need extra support as they hear of the incident through the media and listen to conversations in the community. The following are some tips for you in helping your children with their feelings and thoughts about this incident. It is important to keep in mind the age and emotional maturity of your children as you decide what to share.

Limit your children’s exposure to the news.
If they initiate a conversation, let them talk. Ask “What do you know about what happened?” and focus them back on the facts which have been substantiated.
Discuss the events in concrete terms and without unnecessary information. Avoid creating mental images of frightening sights.
Talk to your children about their feelings, and focus them back on the facts which have been substantiated.
Maintain your normal family routine as much as possible. Children are accustomed to their schedule and too much upheaval will increase their anxiety.
Reassure them that your family is safe. If they continue to be anxious, consider the following:
- Before bedtime, have them check the doors and windows with you.
- Give them a flash light or whistle to keep by their bedside.
- Ask them for ideas about how to keep the family safe. This may help them feel empowered.
Your children may be clingier or be having problems sleeping. This is a normal response. Reassurance will help them to feel better. Plan on making more time to be together.
Be watchful of noticeable changes in behavior over the next few weeks. Agitation, anger, and sadness can all be normal responses, and children may work to distance themselves from the situation. If your child or family has experienced a crisis in the past, news of an incident like this can trigger former anxiety. Call the your child’s pediatrician or other helping professional for resources to support your children. The school counselor will be available to provide support an.
Take care of yourself. Make sure you are receiving support from your adult family and friends. Your children take their lead from you. The better you are able to handle this news, the better your children will be able to manage it as well.