School safety is a paramount priority for La Grande School District. Over the last decade, La Grande School District has spent considerable time and resources to improve overall school safety and our ability to respond to emergency situations. The voter-approved 2015 school bond updated interior and exterior doors, door locks, windows, created entry vestibules, id card access, and phone/intercom systems.

In 2019, the La Grande School District further emphasized student and staff safety when it became part of the district strategic plan (Indicator 1C). Annually, the district sets goals, monitors progress, and reports to the school board and community on progress towards safer and better prepared schools. Some of our major accomplishments to date have been:

• Facility safety assessments at all school sites

• Emergency Operations Plan (created and reviewed)

• Updated classroom Emergency Action Plans

• Updated safety training for staff and substitutes

• New district radio systems

• Creation of classroom emergency response kits

• Creation of school reunification kits

• School safety and security assessments

• Additional security cameras

• New environmental (vape) sensors

• Annual training on Student Threat Response and Assessment

• Training and access to NARCAN

• Regular safety tabletop exercises on possible emergency response actions

• Annual First Aid and CPR trainings for staff

• Annual school drills and discussion

Additionally, we have formed strong relationships with local emergency response agencies, Grande Ronde Hospital, Center for Human Development, and other providers so that we can provide the best outcomes and care when an emergency does happen.

La Grande School District recognizes that parents and our community are important partners in this effort. This page has been created to provide information and insight so that you can best support your student and our staff in responding to emergencies.