A group of concerned parents spent the morning of March 21 standing outside Green Gables Elementary school, holding signs that advocated for more action from the Federal Way Public Schools district against violence at the school.

“I’ve witnessed our class being evacuated due to violence,” said Porsche Appleman. “Parents have not been informed, and I’ve found out that this has happened regularly through the school year. I’m wanting the district to communicate with me and also provide supports for the classrooms so the kids aren’t witnessing violence on a regular basis.”

Appleman says that incidents of choking, punching, stabbing with scissors and chairs being thrown have occurred this year, and a few weeks ago a classroom was evacuated because of this type of behavior.

“We feel that they’re not following the rights and responsibilities handbook that we as parents and our children have signed,” said Kristin Thomasy. “We are baffled that they would have 25 students suffer at the hands of one that’s causing the disruption. We feel that the system has failed the child that needs support, so we’re advocating for that child as well – that they can get the support they need.”

The two said they received support from many parents who came to the school on Monday.

Appleman says that on March 16, she was guaranteed that a safety plan was going to be in place that she could hand out the following Friday. When she called to inquire about the plan, they told her it would take at least two weeks.

“I said, ‘Can you guarantee my child’s safety for those two weeks?’ and they couldn’t,” said Appleman. “I felt powerless.”

That was when Appleman decided to create the signs and stand in front of the school on Monday. The group also voiced their concerns at the school board meeting on Tuesday night.

Margot Hightower, the principal at Green Gables Elementary, sent a letter to parents regarding the safety issues at the school.

“We welcome feedback and concerns from our parents and community,” the letter read. “When concerns arise at our schools, we respond immediately with the supports and services necessary for a safe learning environment.”

The letter also states that the information saying the district was ignoring safety concerns was inaccurate and that the appropriate structures and support staff were in place.

“It’s not unusual to have students that need additional support and may have different needs,” said Federal Way Public Schools Director of Strategy Kassie Swenson. “We are here to provide them with that learning opportunity, no matter what those needs might be.

“We take concerns seriously. The most important thing for our parents, families and community to know is that we have students and staff safety as our number one priority. We will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure a safe environment for all of our students.”

Swenson said that a follow-up meeting between parents and the principal was planned for Wednesday evening.

At the meeting, a safety plan was scheduled to be presented to the parents.