Letter from MVSD

[mister_coffee]

“In my work with the defendants (at the Nuremberg Trails 1945–1949) I was searching for the nature of evil and I now think I have come close to defining it. A lack of empathy. It’s the one characteristic that connects all the defendants, a genuine incapacity to feel with their fellow men. Evil, I think, is the absence of empathy.” — Captain Gustav Gilbert

[PAL]

Dear Methow Valley School District Students, Parents, and Community Members,

The Methow Valley School District's top priority is to ensure all students feel safe, welcome, and dignified. We firmly believe that student safety and well-being is foundational to their ability to thrive in the classroom. However, like many of you, we've been made aware that the federal government has removed the “protected areas” designation, which previously limited immigration enforcement actions on school grounds. While we are closely monitoring these changes, we want you to know that our school district remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the well-being of every student who enters our doors.

Our district’s commitment remains the same: every student who resides within our attendance area deserves to feel safe, welcome, and able to learn to their full potential. MVSD Policy 4300, aligned with RCW 43.10.310, limits school involvement in immigration enforcement, which ensures that schools remain safe and inclusive spaces for all students, regardless of immigration status. All school staff recognize the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of students educational records and restricts the sharing of personally identifiable information (PII) without parental consent. We cannot assist or facilitate immigration enforcement unless legally required, such as when presented with a valid judicial warrant.

Additionally, MVSD Policy 3226 outlines the protocols for conducting interviews and interrogations of students by law enforcement or other officials within school grounds. It emphasizes the necessity of protecting students' rights and their well-being during such interactions. Specifically, it includes provisions that limit interviews of students sought by immigration agents, requiring proper authorization and adherence to legal standards before any such interview is conducted.

As we carefully review how these federal changes impact our schools, our priority is to protect students’ privacy while complying with federal, state, and local laws. We will communicate openly with our community if new developments occur.

Families with additional questions or concerns are encouraged to contact their student's principal, school counselor, or the district office. Further, we've included a list of resources for students and families seeking assistance.

Sincerely,

Tom Venable
Superintendent, Methow Valley School District

Immigration Resources for Students and Families:

Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): https://studentprivacy.ed.gov/ The administration and enforcement of student privacy laws. Helpful family toolkits are available on this site.
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): https://ospi.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/e ... ic-schools Resources from the state to help support the rights of undocumented students at school.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: https://www.nwirp.org/get-help/ Promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education. Phone: (509)-570-0054. Toll-Free: 866-271-2084. Location: 620 N. Emerson, Suite 201, Wenatchee.
Hand in Hand Immigration Services: https://www.handinhandis.org/ A local nonprofit agency where immigrants can receive accurate, up-to-date information about the citizenship process and clarification of their particular requirements for citizenship. They assist clients, students, and the community, and they provide guidance if they are unable to assist. Phone: (509)-888-4833. Email: info@handinhandis.org
Immigrant Legal Resource Center: https://www.ilrc.org/ A national nonprofit resource center that provides immigration legal training, technical assistance, and educational materials, and they engage in advocacy and immigrant civic engagement to advance immigrant rights. They offer printable Red Cards in various languages that help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations.
North Central Regional Libraries: https://www.ncwlibraries.org/latino/ The Latino Services department strives to connect our diverse Latino communities to the resources available in the regions we serve. Our goal is to support our patrons by working collaboratively with library branches and community partners to inform people about our resources and remove barriers to accessing them.The library offers citizenship classes and free resources. Phone (509) 663-1117 ext. 148.

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District: METHOW VALLEY DISTRICT OFFICE
District Web Site:
State: WA
District Code: 24350

Methow Valley School District