The annual School Safety Summit brings school district staff and partners together to spotlight safety best practices and emergency preparedness. The 2024 Safety Summit, titled Where We Go from Here: Creating Calm in a Sea of Chaos, focused on safety measures to foster student well-being at school. Eleven school districts, two state schools, and over 10 partner organizations gathered at Mountain View High School for the Safety Summit in early August.
The annual event was sponsored by the Clark County Safe Schools Task Force and Educational Service District (ESD) 112’s Regional School Safety Center. School districts in attendance included Vancouver, Evergreen, Battle Ground, Camas, Ridgefield, Washougal, Hockinson, La Center, Lyle, Mt. Pleasant and Mossy Rock. Representatives from two state schools, School for the Deaf and School for the Blind, also participated.
Session topics included threat assessment, restorative practices, mental health and well-being, safety planning, and more.
“The 2024 School Safety Summit was a reminder of the strength that comes from collaboration. By bringing our school districts, state schools, and community partners together, we were able to share resources to bolster school safety throughout the region,” said Corina McEntire, Comprehensive School Safety-Public Health Coordinator at ESD 112.
“This is the best Safety Summit I have ever attended,” said one attendee. “All of my classes were well organized and were useful to the profession.”
Kellie Henderson, national educator, retired probation counselor and resident sea turtle protector, delivered the keynote address. Henderson put a spotlight on the courage required to continually show up in an environment of constant change, increased violence, and multiplying expectations. Henderson used practical and relatable examples to provide an overview of what is possible in a time of high expectations, low resources, and a community longing to evolve.
“Kellie Henderson was exceptional, relatable, and passionate. The best keynote speaker I’ve had the pleasure of listening to,” said a 2024 School Safety Summit attendee.
The annual ESD 112 Safety Summit elevates safety awareness in schools, while strengthening partnerships to drive a unified approach to school safety.
