A Welcome Message from Superintendent VanderYacht

I believe whole-heartedly in the power and importance of public education and am committed to serving this community from a perspective that places students at the top of our priority list. Young people deserve the best people, services, and facilities we can provide them. Every Student, Every Day is an aspirational slogan that kicks around in my head regularly and serves as a guiding leadership principle.  As we head into the new school year, Lynden Schools is renewed in our commitment to uphold the longstanding history of our community’s prioritization of its children and invite parents, students, and citizens to partner with us in meaningful ways.

Our employees (by the way, we have the absolute best!) are excited to welcome students and serve the families of Lynden. The first day of school for most grades is Thursday, August 29. While this is an exciting time, it can also cause some stress and worry…it’s often the reactions of us adults that can help inflate or deflate a stress-inducing circumstance.  To help you and your family get ready, please keep an eye out for messages from schools, transportation and food services, and stay in communication with our leaders if challenges arise. Now is also a good time to sign up for ParentSquare or update your notifications setting so they don’t drive you so nuts that you end up turning them all off. Take the time to update your notifications, you’ll be glad you did. 

The safety and well-being of our students and staff are among our most important priorities for Lynden Schools. As we approach the new school year, our district is adopting the Standard Response Protocol (SRP). SRP is a planned and practiced emergency response system with simple, standard terminology for any incident. Developed by the “I Love You Guys” Foundation in response to school violence, SRP aims to standardize vocabulary and reduce miscommunication during emergencies. Our district has teamed up with all other Whatcom County school districts and emergency responders in our region to use standard, agreed-upon terms for emergency situations. These terms are Hold (in your classroom area), Secure (get inside and lock outside doors), Lockdown (locks, lights, out of sight), Evacuate (to a location), and Shelter (state hazard and safety training). I have included a flier with SRP terms and symbols with this message so families can become familiar with the language and visuals. Having clear and well-understood communication, especially in emergencies, is important for everyone’s safety. Thank you for partnering with us in this effort. 

I hope this message finds you and your family filled with excitement and hope as we approach the new school year. Serving as superintendent is a true blessing, and I am eager to invest in and connect with you as we work together to support our children. Have a great start and help others do the same!  -David