Hello Silver Falls Families, Students, Staff and Board Members,

Safety has always been a top priority for our district, woven into the way we plan, prepare, and work together every day. The swatting event last spring did not create this focus, but it did underscore just how critical it is. In the days and weeks that followed, we worked closely with our community partners to analyze our response that day. This process gave us clear, actionable insights to strengthen our ability to keep our schools safe, welcoming, and ready to respond in any emergency.

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) was instrumental in this deep dive, and we recently shared their guidance with the school board and our administration team. Even before the swatting event, ODE toured each school building and provided valuable recommendations to strengthen safety across our district. As superintendent, nothing is more important than ensuring the safety of our students. 

There are 12 key elements that form the foundation of our school safety system. I want to share those with you today, as reinforcing these 12 pillars will be a priority for the district this year.

1. Building positive school culture and climate.

2. Behavioral Threat Assessments. 

3. Standard Response Protocol – We use the I Love U Guys system.

4. Safety incident tracker and trend analysis.

5. Reporting criteria and methods – How we report safety issues and concerns.

6. Internal mass messaging/alert system – Intercom, phone, Parent Square and now Safer Watch.

7. Access control – Lock doors and single point of entry are essential.

8. Crisis communication – Plans and procedures.

9. Training

10. Drills

11. Law enforcement – Relationships, communication, site familiarization, and access.

12. Reunification – Offsite and onsite. 

Most of these foundational structures are already well established, and the few that need strengthening  will be a focus for our district this fall. As we begin the school year, here are a few specific actions underway:

1. Parent Open House in September – We will review and discuss safety response protocol with families to ensure understanding of our system and what we need parents to do in an emergency.

2. New badges – All staff members will be required to get an updated photo on 8/26 when we celebrate our return to buildings. The new badge will have the updated Standard Response Protocol on the back of the badge. These will also be given to guest teachers who are working in our schools.

3. All classrooms will have updated Standard Response Protocol language and evacuation maps posted in classrooms. Most classrooms have these, but we will make sure that every classroom is updated.

4. Updated website with comprehensive safety section for better access to information.

5. Monthly safety committee meeting at the district level in addition to building level meetings.

6. Addition of Safer Watch which is a crisis alert system that was purchased with grant funds from the Oregon Department of Education.

7. Planning and training for reunification which will improve our ability to respond in a large-scale emergency.

Thank you for taking the time to read this long update. We are excited about our renewed focus on safety this year and look forward to solidifying the foundation for our students and staff.

Kim Kellison

Superintendent