The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by Patricia Bailey, a retired teacher and verified Highline resident. She presented this testimony to the Highline School Board on February 11, 2026.
[NOTE FROM EDITOR: Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Highline Journal or Daniel Media. If you wish to submit a story, photo, article, or letter, please email us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.
The Highline Journal published the letter as it was submitted, including bold type for certain words.]
Good evening.
When I read of the [Sylvester Middle School] student-led ICE walk-out on Friday, February 6th, as a former Seattle teacher, I could feel my body react in terror. For teachers, this is the stuff nightmares are made of. I know how carefully I planned for off-campus events with my class, and how critical it was to have sufficient chaperones, an emergency kit, and epipens. And of course, I had signed permission slips from parents, so they would know where their child was. Sending an email to parents the evening before the walk-out, that they may or may not have read, is not legal, professional, safe or respectful.
Leaving school for an appointment, for example, is completed in the office when the custody of the student is transferred from the school to a trusted adult. Now that precedent has been shattered and this fact will not go unnoticed by students. Now these young children understand that they can leave school whenever they want.
When school personnel got wind of a student walk-out, they should have informed them immediately, explaining custody and safety protocols to students. If children want to participate in anti-ICE demonstrations, parents are free to take them.
If parents did not see the last-minute email, I’m afraid trust has been broken. Admitting to the community that what happened was wrong may be the only recourse you have to rebuild trust with many parents and conscientious teachers.
Thank you.
-Patricia Bailey
[NOTE FROM EDITOR: If you wish to submit a story, photo, article or letter, please email us at [email protected] Even if you wish to remain anonymous, please include your name and phone number so we may contact you privately. We look forward to hearing from you.]
