Bellevue School District: Right To Assemble And School Safety

Press release from the Bellevue School District:

November 22, 2021

Dear Bellevue School District Community: 

On Friday, November 19, a non-school-sponsored protest and subsequent lockdown took place at Newport High School. More information about the specific event and some actions leading up to it are below. First, we want to assure families that BSD staff are working to ensure students have a safe learning environment while at school and are committed to providing a safe and civil educational environment that is free from harassment, intimidation or bullying. Additionally, we support our students’ Freedom to Assemble, per Policy No. 3223, with civility and in keeping with BSD Shared Values. 

The district’s response to allegations of misconduct in any of these areas is guided by our board policies and administrative procedures, each of which are in compliance with federal and state statutes. The policies in place to guide response in each area are: 

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Each policy provides compliance coordinators and other district staff with a framework necessary to ensure a complete response to each report of misconduct. The detail in each procedure is intended to provide clarity about the grievance or complaint process in each procedure so there is no confusion about how the district can work toward providing a resolution to each complaint.   

Your student may express concern or other emotions surrounding the protest, lockdown and ongoing investigations. We recommend that parents simply listen and provide empathy. Be emotionally available and non-judgmental. Ask and be accepting of reactions and feelings. Resist the temptation to minimize the pain or give advice. Helpful responses could include:  

• “Tell me more about that.” 
• “Have you ever felt that way before?” 
• “I wonder if there are other things that are worrying you.” 

Other resources include: 

• Counseling at BSD 
• Well-Being Resources for Students and Families 
• Mental Health Resources for Students and Families 
• 24-hour Crisis Line: 866-4-CRISIS (866-427-4747) 
• Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741741 (Free, 24/7, confidential) 

With regard to Newport High School, there are active Title IX and HIB investigations currently taking place. An outside investigator and district compliance officers for Title IX and HIB have been involved in an ongoing investigation as have law enforcement personnel. With respect to current investigations and the students involved, we are unable to comment on specific aspects at this time, as well as any additional investigations resulting from the initial one. This is to protect the identities of the parties involved and to ensure that the investigations can be conducted without imposition. Please note that these investigations are incumbent on the active participation of all those involved, and we ask our school community to allow them to take their necessary courses prior to public discourse. Students and staff with information about any of the investigations are encouraged to contact their building administrator and/or school counselor. 

More information and resources to help students and families navigate these topics will be provided as they are available.  

This press release was produced by the Bellevue School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.