Dear GMES Families,

Because of events that have recently occurred on both a national and local level, there is an understandable apprehension around school safety. Sadly, incidents of threats made against other students and staff are common occurrences, but when an incident that poses a risk to student and staff safety, swift and serious action is taken to ensure that our schools in Rochester are safe.

A response to an incident that poses a safety risk could include any of the following:

• A threat assessment conducted by a team that could include administrators, counselors, school resource officer, mental health counselor, special education case manager, school psychologist, and other members of the school community that have knowledge and perspective to inform the process. This threat assessment includes the gathering of evidence and interviewing those with knowledge of the incident.

• Plans to support student and staff safety that could include: stay away orders (written agreements to stay away from other students), daily and/or random searches of backpacks and other belongings, limits to free movement and unstructured time during the school day, schedule changes, and other options as appropriate.

• Plans to support student health and wellbeing that could include: referrals to mental health counselors, drug and alcohol counselors, access to the school counselor, referrals to outside community support agencies.

• Cooperation and partnership with the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office via our school resource officer Deputy Mancuso.

School safety is a top priority for our district and we have policies, processes, and procedures that ensure we are assessing risk, making plans to mitigate that risk, and ensuring that our practices are rooted in facts.

Sincerely,

Dan Aragon

All Pick up and Drop off of GMES Students including siblings will happen at the GMES GYM starting Sept 22nd…

 MORNING DROP OFF/AFTERNOON PICK UP OF STUDENTS - REAR OF THE SCHOOL (unless you have pre-arranged accommodations with the school)

Drop off 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Pick up 3:15 p.m. to 3:45p.m.

Please enter the west end of the parking lot & follow signs to the rear of the school. Have your # placard hanging on your rearview mirror. At no time will vehicles exceed 5 MPH in the parking lot area.

Safety Measures:  To ensure the safety of all students, staff and guests to our school grounds, we ask that you abide by the following safety rules:

• When dropping off a student at the school, if no attendant is visible, please do not leave drop off area until you have witnessed the student enter the school with an adult.

• Please wait for an adult to signal it is safe to unload.

• Double parking jeopardizes the safety of our students and will not be allowed. Except in the designated pull out area behind the gym.

• Be alert!  Drive 5 M.P.H. or slower and watch carefully for students who are getting in or out of cars.

• Do not drive around barricades. Please follow all designated traffic routing.

• All passengers must be buckled up in accordance to the child restraint law. Violators will be promptly reported to law enforcement.

• Be courteous, patient, and model good driving etiquette. We are all working together to get our students to and from school safely.

• Parents that will be doing parent drop-off/pick-up that have children at both RPS and GMES will drop-off/pick-up their RPS student first, then continue onto the GMES pick up area.

Please call prior to 2:45 if at all possible if there is a change in your child’s after school bus riding or pick up plan. The end of the day is very busy, and the sooner we have information, the better we can serve our students & families.

 If you have any questions at any time, please reach out to our office for assistance at 360-273-5512.

As we kick off a new academic year, we’re excited to see familiar faces and welcome new ones! This year promises to be filled with learning, growth, and fun. Whether you're returning or starting fresh, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

My job is to help families with any issues that may come up during the year. If you’re new to the Grand Mound family, I’d love to meet with you and answer any questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can ensure your child’s success.

Stay tuned for updates, events, and resources. Welcome back, and let’s get ready to learn!

Thanks,

Michelle Fayette

mfayette@rochester.wednet.edu

360-858-1825

Rochester School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Coordinator: Jennifer Bethman (360) 273-9242, jbethman@rochester.wednet.edu; Title IX Coordinator: Kelsey Lincoln (360) 273-5534, klincoln@rochester.wednet.edu; 504/ADA Coordinator: Laura Staley (360) 273-5536, lstaley@rochester.wednet.edu. Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator: Jennifer Bethman (360) 273-9242, jbethman@rochester.wednet.edu Address: 10140 Highway 12 SW, Rochester, WA 98579.