In late August, more than 300 attendees from 14 different school districts throughout Educational Service District (ESD) 112’s region, including Clark College, Washington State School for the Blind, and Washington State School for the Deaf, gathered at the 2023 Safety Summit to focus on school safety, with a lens on equitable practices and social-emotional learning. The annual event was sponsored by ESD 112’s Clark County Safe Schools Task Force and Regional School Safety Center, and hosted by Battle Ground Public Schools.

Following an inspirational storytelling session by keynote speaker Tyler Monk of Underdog Mentality, attendees had the opportunity to choose from 17 different safety breakout sessions, featuring topics including:

  • Incident Command System Overview
  • Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Review
  • Home Visits Through a School Safety Lens
  • Juvenile Court Case Management
  • Emergency Protocols
  • Basics of Reunification
  • Suicide Postvention Support
  • Identification of Drug Impairment

Attendees emphasized the “great ideas and information shared through combining school climate and technical safety concerns” that were explored throughout the Safety Summit.

“This was my first time attending the Safety Summit and I learned a lot,” shared one attendee. “I found the information very relevant and useful.”

Participating organizations, including the Office of Superintendent of Public Education (OSPI), Clark County Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA), Washington State Patrol, Clark County Juvenile Court, Vancouver Fire Department, and Homeland Security, joined ESD 112 and school district presenters to provide valuable insights, highlighting their commitment to promote safety in educational settings.

The 2023 Safety Summit not only heightened safety awareness in schools, but also fostered stronger partnerships among school districts, community organizations, and public agencies.

Session materials from this year’s Safety Summit 2023 can be found here.