School Safety

We’ve written a special story highlighting our School Safety Officers (SSOs) who help keep our students and staff safe every day. Our team of eight levy-funded SSOs brings over 202 years of combined law enforcement experience to our schools. Their impact goes far beyond security—they build relationships, provide guidance, and create a safe environment where students can thrive. Read their stories and join us in recognizing their commitment to our district. Read more here.

At Yakima School District, the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Our advanced crisis alert system, which has been in place for over two years, empowers staff to act swiftly in emergencies, ensuring a rapid response when it matters most. From lockdowns to life-saving interventions, this system has proven its value in keeping our schools safe. Learn more about our commitment to safety and security in this editorial by Sara Cordova, Director of Safety & Security: [Read the full text here]

The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. Information found in this section of the website will assist parents and families in the event of an emergency. Please note that due to safety concerns, staff and students may be asked by law enforcement to turn off cell phones during a crisis situation. This is an emergency management best practice. Police do not want parents to come to school to retrieve their children, because that could put the parent in danger and/or could compromise the police investigation.

For questions or comments regarding school safety, please contact Safety & Security Director Sara Cordova at 509-573-7031 or Email.

Communication

In the event of an emergency such as a threat to campus, snow, windstorms, earthquake, or similar events, Yakima School District may change school start or dismissal times for student safety. We will communicate with parents through the following ways. 

ParentSquare

Text, email, phone call, and app notification.

Websites

Announcements on district and school websites.

Social Media

Announcements on social media. Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

TV & Radio

Announcements on TV and radio. View a list of local TV and radio stations.

Winter Weather Guidelines

Download Inclement Weather Guidelines (English PDF)  

Download Inclement Weather Guidelines (Spanish PDF)