Dear Kent School District Community,
The safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority, and I want to address an issue of utmost importance: threats of violence, including any mention of weapons in or around our schools and on social media. We recognize these situations can cause significant fear and concern within our school community. Please know, the Kent School District takes all online, written, and verbal threats very seriously.
Regardless of a threat’s credibility, the safety of all students remains our primary concern. Maintaining safe schools is a shared responsibility, and we deeply value the partnerships we have with our families and staff in fostering a secure environment for learning.
These threats of violence are serious issues that affect our entire community. Addressing the causes and impacts of violence requires a united effort from all of us. As we work together to keep our schools safe, I ask you to please:
Speak with your children about the severe consequences of making threats of school violence.
Encourage your children to seek support from you or a trusted staff member if they are struggling.
Remind your children to report any concerning behavior to a trusted adult immediately.
Please find below links to Kent Police Department safety resources.
Neighborhood Block Watch Brochure
While I take great pride in living and working in this vibrant and diverse district, and I am immensely proud of our students, I recognize there is important work ahead. I thank our local law enforcement for their continuing support and partnership. Together, we must address the challenges facing our community and work collaboratively toward solutions.
We will continue focusing on our students and fulfilling our mission of successfully preparing all students for their futures while working towards creating a safer environment for everyone.
In partnership,
Israel Vela, Superintendent
