Safety and Security

Emergency Operation Plans

We initiate detailed and specific protocols during a crisis, including:

• Active Threat - A serious situation when someone is actively engaged in causing violent harm  
• Secure Building and Teach - There is a disturbance or hazard happening outside the building; the building is secured, and normal operations continue
• Hold in Place and Teach - There is a disturbance or hazard happening inside the building; the building is secured and everyone remains in a locked classroom or space
• Severe Weather - Weather conditions pose a safety threat
• Evacuation - A hazard inside that requires relocating outside the building

Safety Drills 

We will always inform everyone in advance of a safety test or drill. Each year, our staff and students participate in training sessions and drills to prepare for worst-case scenarios in our schools. Staff members participate in an annual emergency lockdown/violent intruder simulation to practice their response to such an event. Working with the police and other emergency response professionals, District 99 trains its staff members to deploy ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) emergency response techniques. 

The drills may include activation of the rapid emergency response system, BluePoint. Blue police alarm pull-stations, similar to red fire alarm pull-stations, are strategically placed throughout our schools. When the alarm is activated, police first responders are immediately notified, loudspeakers throughout the building broadcast emergency information, and strobe lights are activated both inside and outside the building. 

These drills are in addition to the standard safety drills, including fire, severe weather and bus evacuation. 

Reporting 

District 99 partners with Safe2Help Illinois to allow students to connect with a trained crisis professional during a time of need. Students can submit an alert via the website, text, phone, app or email. Safe2Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Threat Assessment

District 99 follows a detailed threat assessment process to identify students at risk of engaging in harm to themselves or others. Threats to safety are taken seriously and initiate our threat assessment process when appropriate to ensure the safety and security of all staff, students and visitors. 

Safety Partnerships 

District 99 has longstanding relationships with our safety partners and first responders from Downers Grove and DuPage County. Additionally, we are part of the DuPage County School Safety Network and DuPage County School Mutual Aid Response Team (DuSMART) . This collaboration involves various activities, from joint training exercises to crisis response planning and implementation. Some of the ways that our safety partners and first responders assist District 99 include:

• Emergency Response Planning
• Emergency Response Implementation
• Training and Drills
• Communication Protocols/Review
• Security Measures
• Crisis Response Teams
• Community Outreach
• School Resource Officers (SROs)

Locked Doors

All classroom doors lock automatically when closed and teachers are required to close doors when class is in session.

Electronic Door Entry and Guest Management System

At each school’s main entrances, which remain open throughout the school day, trained security staff check in visitors. Visitors must wait in a secured vestibule while their government IDs are checked and visitor badges are issued. Once visitors are granted clearance, they are admitted into the building from the vestibule. All other doors are locked and secured after the start of each school day.

Alert System

D99 schools are equipped with BluePoint technology. The rapid emergency response system includes blue police alarm pull-stations, similar to red fire alarm pull-stations, and are strategically placed throughout the schools. When the alarm is activated, police first responders are immediately notified, loudspeakers throughout the buildings broadcast emergency information, and strobe lights are activated both inside and outside the building. 

Camera Systems

All District 99 buildings are equipped with various measures of camera surveillance technology on the interior and exterior of buildings.

Cyber Security 

District 99 employs multiple levels of content filtering to keep students from being exposed to graphic content.  All core systems are also protected by a security monitoring suite to prevent staff and student data from being accessed by malicious parties.

Communication

We will always inform everyone in advance of a safety test or drill. In the case of an actual emergency, students, families and staff members receive school and emergency email alerts, as well as texts and phone calls. Families should visit Campus Parent and staff should visit the Employee Access Center to make sure personal information is up to date. 

ALICE Crisis Response

District 99 follows the ALICE Crisis Response protocol. ALICE stands for: Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. ALICE is approved by the federal government as a way to educate students and school employees for potential active shooter situations. 

Reunification

Circumstances may occur at school that require families to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release; this may be at our schools or at a different location. The process of a controlled release is called "reunification," and ensures that there is an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized guardian. Reunification may be necessary due to weather, a power outage or other crisis. If we need to enact our reunification plan, you will receive instructions via text, email and our websites. 

In an emergency situation, families should not come to the school. Rather, they should wait for updates and instructions will be provided via email and text to families. We also ask that families use caution when referencing social media channels, as these can be sources of misinformation and rumors. 

While our schools are equipped with numerous safety measures, emergencies or crises may still occur. As a guardian, it's essential to be prepared and know how to respond. Consider the following actions before, during and after an emergency situation:

Talk to Your Student Regularly
Encourage your student to report any safety concerns to a trusted adult or using Safe2Help Illinois, whether at school or at home. Open communication can help prevent potential issues.

During an Emergency:

• Stay Clear of the School: While it’s natural to want to go to the school immediately, avoid doing so. Law enforcement and first responders need clear access to the school’s parking lots and roadways to respond as quickly as possible. Once on site, they will need space for vehicles and personnel. Staying away helps ensure first responders can do their job effectively. 
• Stay Informed from a Distance: Remain at home or your workplace and wait for updates via text, phone or email. You may be directed to a specific location in the community for real-time updates from law enforcement, district officials or designated liaisons. 

Be Prepared by Taking These Steps:

• Keep Your Contact Information Current: Ensure your emergency contact details in Home Access Center are accurate and up-to-date, including cell phone numbers and email addresses. This helps prevent any delays in reaching you during an emergency.
• Update Your Emergency Contacts: In the event of a reunification process, list trusted adults as emergency contacts in Home Access Center who are authorized to pick up your student if you’re unavailable. During a crisis, students will only be released to parents, legal guardians, or emergency contacts listed in registration materials.
• Rely on Verified Information: Social media can spread information quickly, but during a crisis, it’s vital to rely on official updates from the school and law enforcement. Avoid posting or sharing unconfirmed details, as this can contribute to confusion or fear within the community. Use caution when referencing social media channels, as these can be sources of misinformation and rumors.