What We Are Doing
To Keep Schools, Students and Staff Safe
The Federal Way Public Schools have emergency and safety plans in place because we believe every student deserves a learning environment that is safe, challenging and exciting. We cherish our students and are doing many things to ensure student and staff safety on our campuses:
- We have police officers in all of our high schools.
- We have campus security officers in all of our middle schools.
- We have mobile security officers who service both the elementary schools and provide district-wide support.
- Our security officers attend annual training and participate in a continuing education program.
- We conduct intruder drills so our staff and students know what to do in the event of an emergency.
- Students are taught to identify others in distress and are encouraged to talk with an adult immediately if they have concerns for their own safety or the safety of others.
- We are working with community agencies to provide safe and fun activities for students.
- We acknowledge that the emotional and physical safety of students and staff is everyone’s responsibility.
- In word and deed, we are committed to making our campuses havens of hope and care.
- We will continue our efforts to foster a welcoming atmosphere and promote respect on our campus’s and in our neighborhoods.
Safety Tipline
The District’s “Safe Schools Tipline” is a 24-hour number
(253-945-SAFE) where anyone can anonymously report weapon possession
or other school related safety concerns.
Zero-Tolerance Policy
Federal Way Public Schools enforces a zero-tolerance policy for the possession
of weapons on school property. Students who possess firearms on school grounds
or at school activities will be expelled for not less than one year. We take
all threats of violence very seriously and have demonstrated that they will
not be tolerated. The District has also adopted and provided information
about the district’s zero-tolerance stance on “hit lists” and
assaults involving threats to kill another person. Threats of this nature
will be considered assaults and will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
Safe & Drug
Free Schools
The Federal Way School District is a drug-free school
district. It is the policy of the Board of Education to recognize
alcohol and other drug use/abuse as a societal problem and
that substance abuse and drug dependency is a disease process
that may be successfully treated. The district supports abstinence
from drugs, alcohol and mind-altering substances for all
students in order that their development can reach full intellectual,
emotional, social, and physical potential. The district therefore
maintains a "zero tolerance" policy.
Partnerships with Police
The District has contracted with the Federal Way Public Safety Department for
fully commissioned police “School Resource Officers” (SRO’s)
in all four high schools. The District believes that, long term, “on-site” student
and staff safety will be best served through a school and community policing
partnership with police.
District All Hazard Plan
The “All Hazard Plan” includes training resources,
procedures and guidance relating to lockdown procedures,
intruder response, bomb threats, and natural disasters. Every
school has an Emergency Plan that includes lockdown and intruder
procedures and schools are required to schedule and conduct
these drills. The District has reasonably prepared and informed
staff of what actions should be implemented if such an incident
were to occur.
Community-Wide Effort
Kelly Hudson, the District’s Safety and Security Manager, is a member of the Greater Federal Way Emergency Management Operations
Committee. Local police, fire, public works, transportation, medical and social
service organizations are also represented on this community-based committee.
As a participating agency, school district officials have participated in exercise
simulations involving critical incident response needs such as natural and
man-made emergencies and disasters. District Risk Management and Security staffs
have participated in local, regional and Federal Emergency Management Administration
training in school/community emergency planning and response operations.
Security Department staff members are available for informational presentations at school or community meetings. Fore more information or to extend an invitation, please call (253) 945-2290 during normal business hours.