Following Bend school shooting, superintendent gives update on Hood River County School District’s protocols, partnerships

“When something like this happens so close to home, the weight of it is felt deeply across our entire educational community,” he said. “On behalf of the Hood River County School District, I want to extend our heartfelt sympathy, thoughts, and support to the students, staff, and families of Bend-La Pine during this extremely difficult time.”

He thanked educators, counselors and staff “for providing steady reassurance, care, and stability for our students each day, even as they carry their own grief and concern.

“We continue to prioritize both the physical safety and the emotional well-being of our school community, working closely with our safety partners and ensuring support resources are available for anyone who needs them,” he said.

HRCSD actively practices and refines its safety readiness with monthly coordination with law enforcement and first responders on its Interagency School Safety Committee and partners with the SafeOregon tip line. The district also follows Standard Response Protocols developed by the “I Love You Guys” Foundation.

Lockdown drills scheduled

The state requires all districts conduct two lockdown drills each school year, and starting next week, all HRCSD schools will practice the first scheduled drill of the year.

“These exercises ensure our students and staff are confident with our Standard Response Protocol procedures in the event of an emergency,” Newton said. “We know these drills can sometimes raise questions or sensitivities for families, especially our younger elementary learners. To keep our community informed and supported, building principals will send advance notifications to families the day before their respective drill, along with practical guidance on how parents can talk with their students before and after the practice.

“We appreciate our educators and school leaders for approaching these drills with steady care, reassurance, and intentional focus on student well-being,” he said.

A school safety report is planned for the Dec. 9 board meeting.