1215 W. Lewis Street
Emergency Procedures
Your Child's Safety is Our Top Priority
At Pasco School District, the safety and security of our students and staff is our number one priority. Our continuing goal is to provide our 18,000 students with a healthy learning environment both during and after school hours.
A layered approach to safety
There are several ways we work to maintain the safety of our schools. It begins with our teachers, administrators, and staff, who foster a caring school community that values respect and trust between adults and students. We also have a Crisis Response Plan, which includes:
Physical Security
- School Resource Officers (SROs)
These employees promote lawful behavior and protect the welfare of our secondary school students, faculty, and staff. Their consistent presence allows them to understand the rhythms of the building while developing strong relationships with students. - Building Design and Security
Our schools include locked safety vestibules, building security and access with timed locks, alarms, and key issuance, security cameras and monitors, perimeter fencing, signage and wayfinding, visitor management systems, and standardized use of Lock Blok devices on classroom doors.
Training
- Emergency Management Partnerships
Our strong partnerships with the Pasco Police Department, Pasco Fire, Franklin County Emergency Management, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Benton and Franklin County Dispatch, and Pasco Paramedics, assures that we are constantly assessing our ability to respond to any forms of disaster. We also work with our partners to complete building assessment and tabletop drills. - Training for Staff
Staff are trained on visitor management, access to control procedures, Crisis Response Training with the Pasco Police, and online safety training offered through Vector Solutions. - Training for Students
Pasco conducts required emergency drills in our schools based on requirements from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Schools are required to have at least one drill per month that school is in session, including summer months. Through these drills, students and staff routinely practice four basic functional threat or hazard responses pertaining to shelter-in-place, lockdown, evacuation, and earthquake.
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports
- Multi-Tiered System of Supports
Pasco provides all students access to a continuum of evidenced-based social, emotional, and behavioral supports, helping facilitate a safe and supportive learning environment. Staff with advanced training to support students' social, emotional, and behavioral needs include School Counselors, School Psychologists, Behavior Intervention Specialists, and members of Student Assistance Teams. We also provide additional support through various community partnerships. - Mental Health Supports
Pasco provides all students access to free mental health services through a partnership with Hazel Health. With Hazel, students can speak with a licensed therapist while at school or at home. PSD has made these services available so that all students can have timely access to mental health services. Learn more on the Hazel Health webpage.