Each year, District 69 schools are required by Illinois School Code to conduct safety drills. The purpose of a fire drill is to teach children to evacuate the building as rapidly and as orderly as possible. The purpose of emergency drills is to teach children where to take cover in the building in case of a pending disaster, such as a tornado or crisis. One of these drills must have law enforcement present to observe. In the case of civil defense alarms or dangerous weather alerts during school hours, you can expect that your child will be kept at school. The District will inform parents or guardians via an emergency notification system of any emergencies taking place in the schools as soon as reasonably possible.

By law, parents/guardians may opt their child out of a lockdown drill when law enforcement is present. In D69 local police officers are present to observe the drill.  In most cases, students will not even notice the officer is present for the drill as they are in their locked classrooms when the officer walks through. Lockdown drills are announced in advance to students and staff.

The District utilizes a Standard Response Protocol which is a uniform, planned, and practiced response to any incident is the foundation of a safe school. The SRP is action-based, flexible, and easy to learn. It rationally organizes tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders and other threats to personal safety.

The SRP’s development is ever-evolving, created with extensive collaboration between experts such as first responders, public safety, school, districts, and communities. Its tactics are data-driven, researched and based on experience and contemporary practices. Teachers and staff are trained on the SRP and the District utilizes signage in all spaces to reinforce the safety responses. 
 

The District utilizes the Standard Reunification Method (SRM) for a safe and accountable student reunification process. Several designated off-campus sites are available, chosen based on the nature of the crisis. This method provides school safety teams with established procedures for planning, practicing, and ensuring a successful reunification.

The District understands that your strong urge in an emergency is to come straight to the schools. However, rushing the school can hinder emergency response efforts. Please refrain from coming to campus immediately. This allows school officials and first responders to manage the situation and care for your children effectively.

In case of an evacuation or student relocation, the District will use its communication systems to reach families via phone calls and/or emails, providing specific reunification information. Please stay tuned to your phones and emails for updates.

When traveling to the designated reunification site, remember to bring a photo ID. Students will only be released to their legal parents or guardians, or authorized individuals listed on their emergency forms. Our staff is prepared, and the children will be well-cared for during the reunification process. The reunification process could take several hours and by working together and following these guidelines, we can ensure the safety and well-being of every student in our care during unforeseen circumstances. 
 

School security at each building includes the following: 1. All doors to the building are locked; 2. Visitors, including parents/guardians and volunteers, must report to the school office and present a valid State ID or Driver’s License for a background check; 3. Approved visitors will be issued a district ID badge to wear while they are inside the building. The District expects mutual respect, civility, and orderly conduct among all individuals on school property or at a school event. No person on school property or at a school event shall: injure, threaten, harass, or intimidate any other person; or, violate other District policies or regulations, or an authorized District employee’s directive. 
 
Parents/guardians are invited to visit school, however, they must pre-arrange the visit with the school office.