Northwest ESD 189

Back to School August 2025

Welcome Back to the 25/26 School Year!

Hello School Safety Leaders. 

Welcome to the NWESD 189 School Safety monthly newsletter! If this is your first time receiving these updates, I provide monthly briefs with links to the latest resources, OSPI guidance, and training opportunities related to school safety.

If you do not wish to receive these newsletters, you can unsubscribe or let me know. Likewise, if you’d like to add someone else to the distribution list, I’m happy to include them.

I would also appreciate it if you could update your school safety contact information by clicking on the following link:  25/26 School Safety Contact List 

Thank you for your time and support!

Upcoming Events: 

Resources: 

A new law in Washington mandates the implementation of effective emergency response systems in all school buildings. 

ESHB 5004 requires each school district has at least one of the following components in their emergency response system:

All school districts are required to report emergency response system information through the Information and Condition of Schools (ICOS) system. ICOS is accessible via OSPI's Education Data System (EDS) portal. Find more information on how to report through ICOS with this Infrastructure Guidance.

Districts must report emergency response systems at one or both of the following levels:

For each applicable site and/or building equipped with an emergency response system, the following information must be entered:

Districts may enter multiple records as needed. Systems may be reported at either or both the site and building levels, depending on the configuration of the infrastructure.

OSPI will offer grant funding to support the installation and enhancement of emergency response systems. Grant information is forthcoming and will be available in EGMS.

The Educational Service District is working with the American Red Cross to renew Facility Use Agreements for schools that may serve as emergency shelters. As part of this effort, we are asking each school to identify a primary point of contact who can work with the Red Cross to update contact information and coordinate an in-person site survey where needed. Please take a few minutes to complete the form at https://forms.office.com/r/3sJUf5bm1a to provide your school’s contact details and site information. These updates help ensure that, in the event of a disaster, our local communities have safe and ready shelter options available when they need them most.

OSPI, in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health, has released a new health infographic adapted from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

This easy-to-use tool helps guide decisions about when students should stay home due to symptoms and when it's safe for them to attend school.

Ideas for Promotion:

1. Print as a poster for classrooms or common areas

2. Share in newsletters

3. Send directly to families as part of back-to-school communications

4. Infographic

Schools are encouraged to use this resource to reinforce consistent messaging around student wellness and attendance.

Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans 

The Role of Districts in Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans 

REMS Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center

ED's official REMS TA center X page provides news & updates, calendar of free training, and resources for IHE + school #emergencymanagement & safety #schoolsafety

@remstacenter

@SchoolSafetyGov is the official account of School Safety.gov. Likes, links, reposts, followers & endorsements. 

Interpreting And Translating Emojis | Safer Schools Together SST 

Update School Contacts for the 25/26 School Year

As we continue into the 25/26 school year, please update your school's safety personnel information. 

Erum Mohiuddin she/her

emohiuddin@nwesd.org

Comprehensive School Safety Coordinator

Northwest Educational Service District 189

360-299-4006