We are deeply saddened by the news of a school shooting in Texas yesterday. Although we may be many miles away from Uvalde, Texas, we all feel the impact of violence that touches a school. We offer our deepest condolences to the families, students, staff and community that are grieving such a profound loss. 

Student & staff safety is our utmost priority. We have systems and plans in place to keep us as safe as possible, and are further refining our current safety plans. 

Our current safety measures include: 

• Secure entrances at all buildings 
• Regular drills with students to help them know how to respond in emergency situations
• Established safety plans. We are also reviewing and revising these plans to make them even more effective. 
• A School Resource Officer assigned to middle and high schools. 
• Collaborative partnerships with the Anacortes Police and Fire Departments. 
• Mental Health support at all schools. 

We know that these tragedies hit close to home, and can cause you and your children to have questions. Make time to talk and listen to your children’s concerns. Keep explanations developmentally appropriate. Reassure your children that their teachers, principals, and all school staff will do everything they can to keep them safe at school. 

Here are some additional resources for families: 

• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (nasponline.org)
• How to talk to kids after 14 children, teacher killed in Texas school shooting - ABC News (go.com)
• How to talk to children about shootings: An age-by-age guide (today.com)
• How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings | Common Sense Media
• Guidelines-Talking-to-Kids-About-Attacks-Two-Sided-Onesheet-Format.pdf (schoolcrisiscenter.org) 

Questions? Contact Superintendent Justin Irish, jirish@asd103.org, (360) 503-1211

We are deeply saddened by the news of a school shooting in Texas yesterday. Although we may be many miles away from Uvalde, Texas, we all feel the impact of violence that touches a school. We offer our deepest condolences to the families, students, staff and community that are grieving such a profound loss. 

Student & staff safety is our utmost priority. We have systems and plans in place to keep us as safe as possible, and are further refining our current safety plans. 

Our current safety measures include: 

• Secure entrances at all buildings 
• Regular drills with students to help them know how to respond in emergency situations
• Established safety plans. We are also reviewing and revising these plans to make them even more effective. 
• A School Resource Officer assigned to middle and high schools. 
• Collaborative partnerships with the Anacortes Police and Fire Departments. 
• Mental Health support at all schools. 

We know that these tragedies hit close to home, and can cause you and your children to have questions. Make time to talk and listen to your children’s concerns. Keep explanations developmentally appropriate. Reassure your children that their teachers, principals, and all school staff will do everything they can to keep them safe at school. 

Here are some additional resources for families: 

• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (nasponline.org)
• How to talk to kids after 14 children, teacher killed in Texas school shooting - ABC News (go.com)
• How to talk to children about shootings: An age-by-age guide (today.com)
• How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings | Common Sense Media
• Guidelines-Talking-to-Kids-About-Attacks-Two-Sided-Onesheet-Format.pdf (schoolcrisiscenter.org) 

Questions? Contact Superintendent Justin Irish, jirish@asd103.org, (360) 503-1211