A Message from Squalicum Principal Miguel Perez 

Dear families and students,

I want to acknowledge the impact of the events yesterday and share some updates and reflections for support, resources and next steps.

Today was a smooth and positive day on campus. We had additional counseling and security support present for students and staff. We continue to encourage all our students and staff to visit the counseling center for additional support if they need it. This support will continue all week and as needed after spring break.

Our decision to go into lockdown Tuesday was based on a credible tip about social media posts that showed a weapon might be on our campus. We understand the anxiety and fear lockdowns cause; however, we judged a lockdown necessary based on our follow-up from the tip we received.

We have since learned that the concerning images were not connected to weapons on Squalicum’s campus. No weapon was found on or near campus, and no threats were made to any Squalicum students or personnel.

Although this is ultimately good news, we know that the effects are continuing to be felt in our classrooms and our homes.

Here are some action steps families can consider taking:

• Encourage your student to visit the counseling center or talk to a trusted adult.
• Reassure your student that the adults in their school use safety protocols like lockdowns to maximize everyone’s safety in the event of a possible emergency at school.
• Have frank conversations about the choices that some students make when posting photos to social media or chats. These choices can lead to very real and very serious social, legal and educational consequences. Common Sense Media has many resources to help guide family conversations about online behavior.

Our leadership team wants to say again how seriously our staff and students took the lockdown/lockout, which allowed us and law enforcement to investigate thoroughly.

Thank you, and we look forward to a great rest of the week and then a restful spring break!

Miguel Perez