Our Commitment to Safe and Inclusive Schools

Feb 10 2025

Dear Northshore Families:

Northshore is committed to creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive schools for each and every student, their families, and our staff. Our policies reflect these values, and we remain steadfast in upholding them.

Recent executive orders from the federal administration are negatively impacting some of our students. This communication is to clarify our district’s values and our response.

On January 23rd, we shared our approach to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) based on our long-standing procedure 4411. While it is unlikely that ICE will use changes to Homeland Security policies to access our schools, it is important that we all understand our legal requirements and moral obligations to our immigrant students and families. On February 10, I will ask the School Board to approve Policy 4300, which provides additional guidance on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) procedures. Once approved, this policy will be shared with our staff and families.

Additionally, a recent executive order seeks to limit support for transgender and gender-expansive students and restrict how we teach and support our diverse student population. Let me be clear—our support for every student - our community’s children - remains unchanged. We will continue to follow Washington State laws, meet OSPI requirements, and uphold our Northshore policies. Below my signature you can find related Northshore policies and procedures.

Northshore is a district built on shared values of inclusion, respect, and care. These values will not change. We remain committed to fostering a community where every student, family, and staff member is supported and affirmed.

Thank you for being part of our Northshore community. And thank you for continuing to care for one another. Caring for and supporting one another matters now more than ever.

In partnership,

Michael Tolley
Superintendent

Northshore’s Related Policies and Procedures:

Relevant policies, procedures, and documents that refer to racial and educational justice, gender inclusive schools, nondiscrimination, and safety concerns include: