Dear Parents,
 
The past week has brought us unfortunate news from Parkland, FL and a renewed recognition that students in this country are calling out for greater support, involvement, and recognition from their schools about who they are and what (sometimes unspoken) needs they have.  In our work at Highline, we are continuing to try to support the needs of every child we serve, and of each child as an individual.  These efforts also involve working with DPS and within our own school to practice lockdown drills and to ensure the security of our entrances with cameras and electronic access points.  Even more importantly, through our REACH values and individual connection with students, we seek to ensure that we can respond when students are in need.  Our desire to grow and to become better in serving your children is a part of what makes Highline the school it is.  
 
To help our community to be a safe place for all students regardless of their needs, their abilities or disabilities, their cultural and socio-economic background, and their past history, we must agree to come together to build support around our children.  At times this support is as simple as a smile, a held door, or an encouraging word.  At other times, this is recognizing unmet needs in the kids we know or see at school.  And still further, young people may signal more significant needs that are met with strong and/or professional social-emotional supports.  
 
Regardless of the level or types of needs our students have, it is clear that they thrive when presented with families and community who love and care for them.  Our work at Highline remains to provide each of these to our students while also challenging and supporting them academically.  Thank you for joining the school to be part of the community that raises our young people up, shows them their individual value, and helps the move past the challenges they will inevitably face.  
 
I ask that you please reach out to me if you know or see students in need at our school, and that we all agree to work together for the continued and increased safety of all of our young people.
 
In partnership,
Guerin Gray
 
To support conversations that may arise with your own children, please utilize the following resource from the National Association of School Psychologists: NASP - Talking to children about violence
 
• You can also access the DPS Emergency Information Guide for Parents for more information: