Our Commitment to an Inclusive, Diverse, and Culturally Rich Community
Dear Shoreline Schools Community,
We understand that the shifting national landscape has many of our immigrant, BIPOC, and transgender students, staff, and families concerned for their safety and uncertain about their future. We acknowledge that these concerns have real impact and implications for our members of our community. As always, we strive to ensure that each and every member of our community is safe and knows that they belong in Shoreline Schools.
Shoreline School District is committed to fostering an educational environment that is safe and free of discrimination for all, regardless of immigration status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, or disability. Policy 3210, Student Nondiscrimination | Policy 5010, Employee Nondiscrimination
Even if federal laws change in the coming weeks or years, Shoreline School District remains committed to providing equitable access to education to all students within our school district.
Per our School Board Policy 4300 Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Schools, Shoreline School District does:
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have a responsibility to ensure that all students who reside within our boundaries can safely access a free public K-12 education
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have a responsibility to all students and ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the rights of immigrant students to an education
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prohibit participation or aid in immigration enforcement activity against all persons, including but not limited to students and their families, staff, and volunteers at all school facilities, which include (but are not limited to) adjacent sidewalks, parking areas, sports facilities, playgrounds, and entrances and exits from said building spaces
Shoreline School District does not:
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collect or have access to the immigration status of students or family members
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exclude students from receiving an education or unlawfully discriminate against anyone because of their race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, immigration or citizenship status, sex, creed, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or sexual orientation
Policy 3226, Interviews and Interrogations of Students on School Premises reinforces that staff shall not grant information or access to immigration agents unless/until the District Superintendent and/or General Counsel determine the request complies with Plyler v. Doe and other applicable laws according to the criteria in the associated procedure.
Currently, public schools within the state of Washington, including Shoreline, are guided by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s “Immigrant Students' Rights to Attend Public Schools.” This guidance, notably, states:
“Washington public schools must not initiate engagement with federal immigration authorities for the purpose of sharing student information. It is inconsistent with our state and federal constitutional mandates to serve every student.
Before a Washington public school complies with a warrant, judicial order, or subpoena [for a student’s records], it must make reasonable efforts to inform the student and/or parents of the warrant, judicial order, or subpoena well enough in advance to give the student and/or parents time to seek a protective order. This is true unless the warrant, judicial order, or subpoena specifically orders the school to refrain from such notification.”
In accordance with Procedure 3213P, Gender-Inclusive Schools and directed by Policy 3213, Gender-Inclusive Schools, Shoreline School District does:
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use the names and pronouns students self identify for how they would like to be addressed in class, in correspondence to the home, and at conferences with the student’s parent/guardian
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support students using the restroom that corresponds to the gender identity they assert at school
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provide all students the opportunity to participate in physical education and athletic programs/opportunities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity
Shoreline School District does not:
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disclose a student's transgender or gender-expansive status to others, including the student's parents and/or other school personnel, unless the school is (1) legally required to do so or (2) the student has authorized such disclosure
Support for Students
The children and youth of our community are at the heart of everything we do. Their well-being, education, and development are our top priorities, and we are committed to ensuring that our schools remain places of safety, comfort, and growth. Together with families, educators, and the broader community, we will continue to uphold our schools as spaces where students can thrive and reach their full potential.
Supporting students in our schools:
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Our school counselors will provide safe spaces for any student to process fears or anxieties they may have
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We will decisively respond to hate speech or actions that denigrate any member of our community
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We will reinforce our values of safety and belonging through our advisory periods, morning circles, and restorative discussions across schools
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We will connect families to community resources to assist them with any supports they require for their children
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We will continue to provide guidance to staff on how to facilitate constructive and productive dialogue while addressing negative or harmful commentary
Support for Families
Families are the fabric of our community and we embrace, celebrate, and are better for the diversity that we see across Shoreline schools. Our goal is to help keep families together, safe, and supported. We will connect families to community resources to assist them with the support they require for their children.
Immigration resources for families:
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Protections for Immigrant Students in Washington’s K–12 Public Schools (OSPI)
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Know Your Rights: Stopped by Police - translated into Spanish (ACLU)
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Know Your Rights Under the U.S. Constitution – No Matter Who Is President - translated into Chinese, Arabic, Korean, and Spanish (National Immigration Law Center)
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Know Your Rights with ICE (Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network [WAISN])
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More Know Your Rights resources (Northwest Immigrant Rights Project)
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Bystander and Observer Guidelines - translated into Spanish (WAISN)
Transgender resources for families:
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Trans Rights in WA State (King County Trans Resource & Referral Guide)
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Trans Youth Handbook - a legal resource guide that covers the rights of trans youth across such a wide spectrum of situations, including identity documents, school, health care, non-affirming care environments, and work (co-authored by Harvard Law School and the National Center for Lesbian Rights)
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Facing the Future Together - FAQs, Guidance, and Resources (Human Rights Campaign)
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Trans Lifeline - national trans peer support, resources, and hotline
Support for Staff
Our teachers, support staff, and administrators care deeply for the students in our schools, and some may have concerns for the safety and wellbeing of their own families during these uncertain times, in addition to their role as educators.
Resources for staff to care for themselves:
We encourage Shoreline School District employees to access the First Choice Health Employee Assistance Program. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential, professional assessment and counseling referral service. The Employee Assistance Program is confidential and available 24/7.
Find additional staff wellness resources (Staff Portal login required)
Resources for staff to support students and families:
School administrators, office staff, counselors, and others who are in school offices have been provided with guidance for interactions with immigration agencies (Staff Portal login required). We cannot anticipate what might happen in the next few weeks or months, but our staff will continue to keep privacy and safety at the forefront of their work.
All staff should follow these guidelines:
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Do NOT answer immigration questions from families or provide legal advice; DO refer families to the many immigration resources listed below.
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Do NOT ask families about their immigration status; DO assure families that we do not record or share that information.
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Do NOT communicate political opinions or information on school property; DO allow students a safe place to express their opinions and beliefs while pointing them toward resources.
We will continue to provide guidance to staff on how to facilitate constructive and productive dialogue while addressing negative or harmful commentary.
If laws or guidance for schools change, we will share updates with the community as we are made aware of how they might affect our schools.
Shoreline School District is and will continue to be a community that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. You belong here.
Sincerely,
Dr. Susana Reyes, Superintendent
Sara Betnel, School Board President, on behalf of the Board of Directors