Photos by Scott Schaefer
In response to recent incidents of school violence, Highline Public Schools on Thursday night (April 19) held a Community Meeting on School Safety at the Highline High School Cafeteria.
Around 100 or so people showed up, and the event was moderated by Rev. Lina Thompson of Lake Burien Presbyterian Church.
Highline High students helped moderate questions posed to audience members, who participated via group discussions at tables.
Spotted at the event were Burien City Councilmembers Krystal Marx and Nancy Tosta, along with Mayor Jimmy Matta, City Manager Brian Wilson, and several local police officers. All participated in the group discussions, which were based on three questions:
“What are factors that make you feel less safe?”
“What is your definition of safety? What does it look/sound like?”
“What will you do to contribute to making our school/community more safe?”
The evening started just after 6 p.m. with a moment of silence for the tragic deaths of two teenage girls who were senselessly shot and killed in Burien on March 28.
Students from Highline High spoke, including Mimi, who helped organize the March 14 walkout; she shared a story about witnessing an angry fellow student throw a rock through a school bus window, and wondered what if that student had a gun…was she “going to die”?
William, a walkout co-organizer, added:
“We have to be able to look at situations like this and try and figure out how to fix them, and come together and actually take action towards them. Thoughts and prayers won’t cut it anymore. What is necessary is for people to get together, talk and decide, then take action.”
The meeting ended a little after 8 p.m., after each table had a chance to share their thoughts, as well as an open comment period on what attendees were planning to do to personally make the school/community safer.
Here’s more courtesy Aaron Wells:
Another walkout is planned at the school for Friday, April 20 at 11 a.m.
This is the second such walkout at this school, prompted in response to increasing protests of school violence, in particular the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida which left 17 dead, another 17 wounded, and became one of the world’s deadliest school massacres.
I interviewed William, a Sophomore at Highline High School and an organizer of tomorrow’s event, to gather his thoughts on this evening’s Community Safety Meeting, held by Highline Public Schools, in response to several recent incidents of youth violence throughout the Burien area, including yesterday’s robbery of a 13-year-old student in which a shot was fired:
Here are more photos courtesy Aaron:
Students at Highline High School painted the school’s spirit rock to advertise a walkout planned for Friday, April 20, at 11 a.m. This is the second such walkout at this school, prompted in response to increasing protests of school violence, in particular the February 14th shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida which left 17 dead, another 17 wounded, and became one of the world’s deadliest school massacres.
Lina Thompson, a Pastor of Lake Burien Presbyterian Church who is working with Highline Schools to facilitate the community safety meetings, says, “We need to break down walls between kids and adults.”
Deputies with the King County Sheriff’s Office bowed their heads during a moment of silence at Thursday evening’s community safety meeting at Highline High School, an illustration of the level of community engagement spoken of by incoming Burien Police Chief Ted Boe and Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht. “Since we spend a number of working hours within in the city, in essence we become community members,” Johanknecht said at Monday’s City Council meeting.
William S., a sophomore organizing tomorrow’s walkout at Highline High School, spoke at Thursday’s community safety meeting, “Thought’s and prayers won’t cut it anymore. What’s needed is for people to come together, talk, decide, and take action.”
Burien City Councilmember Krystal Marx attended Thursday’s community safety meeting at Highline High School. Marx, a member of the Regional Law Safety & Justice Committee, is working with other members of similarly sized communities to identify strategies for partnering with City staff, law enforcement, business owners, and citizens.
Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta, attending Thursday’s community safety meeting at Highline High School, noted that 41% of Highline students are Hispanic and called for a phone tree to reach out to families of those students.
Burien City Manager Brian Wilson listens intently at Thursday’s community safety meeting held at Highline High School. Wilson recently selected Sheriff’s Captain Ted Boe to become the next Police Chief on May 1.
Burien City Councilmember Nancy Tosta listens intently as student speakers voice their concerns at Thursday’s community safety meeting at Highline High School.
The next Community Meetings are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, May 1, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Tyee High School library 4424 South 188th Street SeaTac, WA 98188
- Thursday, May 10, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Mount Rainier High School library 22450 19th Avenue South Des Moines, WA 98198