CAMANO: Community Connections – Jan. 10, 2025
Community Connections is a weekly email with news, events, and highlights from the Stanwood-Camano School District that is sent every Friday afternoon during the school year. Click here to receive future issues. Ed. Note: We excerpt those portions of Community Connections pertinent to the activities of the school board. For the full contents of the current edition of the newsletter, click this link.
Hello families
On Thursday, we hosted our Health and Safety Forum, where families, staff, and community partners came together to learn more about the key areas that support student well-being: emergency preparedness and security, student behavior and discipline, mental health support, and harassment prevention.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who participated and contributed to the conversations. Our district staff and community partners shared valuable information about our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment where students and staff feel valued and protected.
Your engagement and feedback are essential as we continue working together to strengthen our safety measures and ensure our schools remain a place where every student can thrive. Thank you for being such an important part of this effort! Below is a snapshot of the four sessions and links to more resources:
Emergency Preparedness and Security
The district detailed its comprehensive emergency response protocols, which include our investigative procedures, secure campus entry points, visitor policies, and regular safety drills such as fire, lockdown, and earthquake exercises.
Participants learned first-hand how collaboration with local law enforcement ensures swift action during emergencies, with systems like real-time communication apps enhancing coordination. Families were reminded of the importance of keeping contact information up to date and reporting concerns through official channels promptly to foster proactive safety measures.
Student Behavior and Discipline
The district’s approach to discipline prioritizes minimizing classroom exclusion and promoting fairness, equity, and student support. Attendees reviewed the policies and procedures that govern disciplinary actions and participated in discussions about maintaining safe learning environments. Transparency around student behavior and individualized supports — especially for students with IEPs or 504 plans — was emphasized.
Mental Health Support
Presenters highlighted the growing need for mental health resources, sharing data from surveys that indicate areas of concern, such as anxiety and stress among students. District mental health initiatives include social-emotional learning lessons, crisis intervention protocols, and referrals for both in-school and community-based counseling.
Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) Prevention
The forum addressed the district’s strategies for preventing and addressing harassment and bullying, in line with state policies. Our ongoing efforts to build empathy, empower bystanders, and educate students about emotional awareness were shared. Staff also provided clear guidance on how families can report concerns and seek support if their child experiences HIB.
Learn more about the district’s efforts on our Safety & Wellness page.
