The annual ESD 112 Regional School Safety Summit brought school safety professionals from across Southwest Washington to Mountain View High School on Monday, August 3, 2026. This year’s theme was “Safety in a Digital Age.”

The summit opened with a keynote address from Lana Penley, author of Unlocking SEL: The 5 Keys to Transform Schools Through Social and Emotional Learning. Penley encouraged educators, administrators and school safety personnel to remember to care for their own well-being while navigating the demands of school crises and safety concerns.

Summit attendees discuss their takeaways during the keynote address.

Summit attendees discuss their takeaways during the keynote address.

Following the keynote, attendees participated in 22 breakout session options offered over two time blocks. Topics ranged from emergency preparedness and crisis response to threat assessment, student online safety, district policy and leadership, and school safety funding.

Informational sessions reflected the rapidly evolving landscape of school safety, addressing both traditional and newer safety challenges. In a digital age, safety issues can include online threats, deepfakes, and social media.

“School safety is constantly evolving, especially as technology changes the way we communicate and interact,” said Denise Dishongh, Regional School Safety Center Director at ESD 112.

“The summit gives educators and our safety partners an opportunity to learn from one another, share best practices and leave with practical strategies they can implement in their schools.”

The event brought together educators, law enforcement officers, emergency managers, mental health professionals and school administrators. The summit reinforces a common goal: ensuring every student and staff member has a safe, supportive place to learn and work in an increasingly digital world.

ESD 112 Regional School Safety Center’s annual summit continues to strengthen partnerships and best practices that improve school safety throughout the region.