SAFETY UPDATE: October 27 Incident and District Emergency Communication Procedures

We want to provide a final update regarding yesterday afternoon's police activity and take this opportunity to help our families better understand when and how Toppenish School District communicates during safety situations and emergencies.

Why We Communicated Yesterday

Yesterday afternoon, October 27, we shared a safety alert with our families out of an abundance of caution. We had been made aware of the nature of police activity occurring near our schools, and while the information available to us was limited, we recognized the importance of keeping our families informed.

The incident occurred shortly after school dismissal, while students were traveling home and families were still in the area for pickup. Given the timing and proximity to our schools, we felt it was important to notify families so they could exercise caution and be aware of potential impacts on transportation and after-school activities. Our decision to communicate was based on the potential impact on student and family safety, even though the incident did not occur on school property or directly involve our schools.

Had this incident occurred later in the evening, after students had left campus and school activities had concluded, a district safety notification would not typically have been issued.

Our district is not the investigating agency and cannot provide additional details regarding the police activity or the individuals involved. All further questions or inquiries regarding the October 27 incident should be directed to local law enforcement agencies.

When and How We Communicate During Emergencies

We recognize that yesterday's situation provides an opportunity to clarify what families can expect from Toppenish School District during emergencies.

Secure and Teach

A Secure and Teach may be initiated for a variety of reasons, including police activity in the surrounding community, a medical emergency, or an isolated incident inside a school that requires temporarily limiting movement in and out of the building.

A Secure and Teach does not necessarily mean there is a direct threat to students or staff. It is a precautionary measure that allows us to manage a situation while maintaining a normal learning environment.

During a Secure and Teach:

• All students and staff remain inside school buildings.

• Exterior doors are locked, and entry and exit are temporarily paused.

• Teaching and learning continue as usual inside the building.

Families will receive a notification explaining the change in school status and the reason for the precaution, based on the information available at that time. This helps families understand why building access is temporarily restricted and prepares them to answer questions their students may have when they return home.

Lockdown

A Lockdown is used when a situation requires heightened safety measures to protect students and staff.

During a Lockdown:

• Students and staff remain secured in classrooms or designated work locations.

• Interior and exterior doors are locked.

• Entry and exit to the building and learning spaces are paused.

• Teaching and learning are temporarily suspended to prioritize safety.

Families will receive an initial emergency alert notifying them of the Lockdown. This message may contain limited information as we work to confirm details and ensure students and staff are safe.

During a Lockdown, we ask families to refrain from calling the school or district offices so communication lines can remain available for coordination with law enforcement and emergency responders.

As important information becomes available, we will provide updates. Once the Lockdown has been lifted, families will receive a closing alert with additional confirmed details.

Other Safety Notifications

For other safety concerns and emergency situations that do not require a Secure and Teach or Lockdown, we will communicate through ParentSquare posts, with updates provided as needed, and through our district website.

The type and timing of communication will depend on the nature of the incident, its proximity to our schools, and its potential impact on students, staff, and families.

We want to reiterate that the safety of our students and staff is, and will always remain, our highest priority.

In any emergency, our first responsibility is to protect and support the students and staff in our care. We are committed to communicating with families as quickly as possible, while ensuring that immediate safety needs are addressed first and the information we share is accurate.

Thank you to our families and community for your understanding, cooperation, and continued partnership. Together, we remain committed to keeping our Wildcats safe, supported, and informed.