The Scoop: School Safety Updates

Beginning this school year, the Oak Harbor Public Schools will be adopting the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which is a comprehensive crisis response program designed to ensure safety and security for students and staff in the event of various emergencies. 

The SRP is based on the following actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter

With the adoption of the Standard Response Protocols, our procedures will be aligned with schools across the nation and provide consistency in our communication to families. While the SRP is consistent with a lot of our procedures that are already in place and practiced in our schools, it offers more clarity and consistency in terminology among schools and first responders.

The new Department of Health Safety Study Hall is a library of information and resources on several health and safety issues for schools, students, and families/caregivers. It includes information about opioid overdose prevention strategies, secure storage of prescription and over-the-counter medication, and secure storage of firearms and ammunition. 

At this time of year (and let's face it, every time of year!) Washington weather can be unpredictable. Students in our schools spend time outdoors throughout the day, even when it is cold or raining. As cooler weather creeps in more consistently, we suggest that students dress in layers.

Label the inside of removable clothing and make sure you and your child are familiar with your school's lost and found area where forgotten coats, gloves, and hats can be recovered!

Weather occurrences like windstorms, snow, and power outages can also cause school disruptions, closures, and delays. School closures and schedule changes are districtwide, even if your neighborhood is not severely impacted. We use a variety of methods when issuing communications related to school closures and delays, including websites, social media, phone calls, text messages, and email.

A student's health impacts their educational experience and we encourage parents to communicate any health issues or concerns with the school nurse. Sick students must be free from fever and vomiting for 24 hours without the assistance of fever-reducing medication before returning to school. A school principal or nurse may need to send an ill child home.

This week we celebrated the first day of Kindergarten and HomeConnection/Oak Harbor Virtual Academy! Our community greeters, staff, and PTA volunteers helped celebrate with (and soothe) families with snacks and words of encouragement.