January 24, 2025

Dear Soap Lake School District Families,

Our district’s main priority is to support student learning outcomes by fostering a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all students and families. We believe that safety and belonging are foundational to effective learning. Schools should be places of growth and community, and we are dedicated to continuing our duty of protecting the well-being of every student who enters our doors.

We are 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, our district’s commitment remains the same: every student deserves to feel safe, seen, valued, and accepted so they can focus on learning.

State law 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. School staff cannot assist or facilitate immigration enforcement unless legally required, such as when presented with a valid judicial warrant. Additionally, these policies restrict the sharing of student information or allowing interviews by immigration authorities without proper legal authorization.

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 questions or concerns are encouraged to contact their child’s school or the district.

Sincerely,