Information for Parents and Students

Discussion information for parents about an upcoming student survey:

2011 SS/HS Brief Student Survey Overview

Breve SS/HS Encuesta Estudiantil de 2011 (Spanish)

Together, we've already made a big difference in Cowlitz County!

View our project update handout including student survey results.

Handout: Making a difference in Cowlitz County

Woodland Public Schools first in state to complete WASPC reporting

Woodland Public Schools were recognized by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) for being the first school district in the state to complete its entire emergency preparedness report.

Keith Merritt, Fire Commissioner for Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue, presented Superintendent Michael Green and Woodland district administrators with a “Best-In-State” card and cake on behalf of the Safe Schools Healthy Students (SSHS) program. “The recognition comes at a good time in light of the tough incidents Woodland has dealt with lately,” said Merritt, “They were delighted.” The WASPC reviews school districts’ completion of the reports, but recognizes that Woodland Public Schools have completed its school reporting where some districts still have a long way to go.

The plan, required by Senate Bill 5097 (SB 5097), provides school administrators with the information needed to handle emergency incidents including fire, hazardous materials, gas leaks, and other hazards. The plan must be comprehensive, addressing all foreseeable hazards that may affect the school as well as policies for mitigation, response and recovery.

SB 5097 (RCW 28A.320.125) requires schools to keep mapping system information up-to-date, including reviewing emergency plans, chemical inventory lists, and having each school principal complete the Incident Command System training. In order to prove preparedness, schools are mandated to fulfill a monthly drill requirement.

Program Overview

The Cowlitz County Partnership for Safe Schools/Healthy Students serves more than 18,000 students and 12,000 families in the Cowlitz County, Washington, area. It involves a dedicated partnership of more than 21 key community organizations.

This federally sponsored project involves five components:

Safe School Environments and Violence Prevention Activities

• School Safety Environment Coordinator with School safety/emergency response planning and drills
• Written plans for school safety, security, and evacuation
• Classroom emergency/disaster preparedness kits
• Parents’ Guide to School Crisis Planning brochures
• In-service training in safety protocols for school staff
• Violence prevention curriculums/training (Second Step, Olweus, Project SUCCESS, Strengthening Families)
• Increased law enforcement visibility and participation for school safety
• Annual community conference on Safe Schools and Healthy Students

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Activities

• Project SUCCESS, with increased services from prevention/intervention specialists
• Counseling, peer support groups, social skills training, awareness education regarding substance abuse
• Referral for substance abuse assessment, treatment, and aftercare for students suspected of needing services
• Substance abuse prevention activities on school campuses
• Substance abuse awareness training for students, school staff, parents/families
• Assistance with transition back to school for students who have had problems with alcohol and/or other drug use

Student Behavioral, Social, and Emotional Supports

• Strengthening Families program training (English and Spanish)
• The Parent Project implemented
• Truancy Workshops
• Intensive counseling, treatment, or other services from mental health provider and/or community agencies or practitioners
• Juvenile justice works with schools to transition court-involved youth back to school environments or to gainful employment
• Increased career awareness for adjudicated youth through sponsored internships or job shadowing experiences

Mental Health Services

• Mental health professionals train school personnel to recognize at risk behaviors and use early screening and referral processes.
• Access to mental health services increases
• Functional Family Therapists trained and deliver services to indicated youth and families

Early Childhood Social and Emotional Learning Programs

• Training for parents and caregivers
• READY! program targeting parent education and developmental skills for children (birth—age 5) as a universal intervention
• Parents as Teachers program including home visits, parent group meetings, child screenings, parent resource network as targeted intervention