Our Safety Measures
District 207 has many safety and security measures in place to keep students and staff safe. In addition to the safety measures outlined below, each school also has surveillance cameras, access control door locks and secure entrance vestibules.
See Something, Say Something Philosophy
Everyone has a role in maintaining a safe school. Any student or adult who sees or hears something that is an immediate threat to the safety and security of the school should either tell a staff member or dial 9-1-1. For any concerning safety items that are NOT an immediate threat, students or adults should tell a staff member or utilize the anonymous alerts system.
Students Should Never Open Doors
Students should NEVER open doors for anyone. Visitors or tardy students should enter the building from designated entrance(s).
School Resource Officers in Each School
There is a Park Ridge police officer or a Des Plaines police officer at each school. These are full-time police officers who are trained as school resource officers.
Evacuation Relocation Sites
Parents should meet their child in the event the building is evacuated at the designated site. Parents should NEVER come to the school during an emergency situation. Attempting to do so will hinder the efforts of first responders and put the safety and security of everyone at higher risk. Students should NEVER leave school in their vehicles during an evacuation. Parents should meet their child in the event the building is evacuated at the site designated below.
Safety Drills Conducted Regularly
Each school, as required by law, conducts three evacuation drills, a lockdown drill and one severe weather and shelter in place drill to ensure staff and students are aware of the procedures surrounding each of these emergency situations.
Student, Staff and Visitor ID Badge Requirements
District 207 employees are required to wear their ID badge at all times to ensure security personnel and students can identify the adults in the school who are supposed to be there. In addition, students are required to show their ID upon entering school each day to ensure non-students are not allowed to gain access to the school. All visitors are required to check in with the security desk, submit an ID, go through a background check and wear a visitor ID lanyard.
Communicating During an Emergency
District 207 will make every effort to communicate quickly and efficiently with the families of students most impacted by the emergency. The district shares information via text message, phone calls and emails. To ensure text messages are received, text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. If a parent has unsubscribed from District 207 emails in the past and wants to reinstate email, email [email protected].
Relocation Sites
FROST ACADEMY Centennial Fitness Center, 1515 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge
MAINE EAST Dee Park Recreation Center, 9229 W. Emerson St., Des Plaines
MAINE SOUTH Centennial Fitness Center, 1515 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge
MAINE WEST Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines
Safety and Security Overview
There are several safety and security protocols that offer proven and effective approaches to emergency preparedness and response. When everyone is using the same language, terms and clearly understands their role in the event of an emergency situation, there is a better chance to keep everyone safe. As a reminder, parents should NEVER come to the school during any of the emergency situations listed below. Evacuation relocation sites for each school are listed on the front page.
Evacuation
The purpose of an evacuation is to move students and staff quickly from one location to another, whether that is inside the school or to an off-site location. Scenarios include fire or a chemical spill.
Shelter-in-Place
The purpose of a Shelter-in-Place action is to keep students and staff in designated spaces of the school for their safety. Scenarios include tornadoes or severe weather.
Soft Lockdown
The purpose of a soft lockdown is to make everyone at the school aware of a possible threat in the surrounding area that does NOT pose an immediate threat to individuals inside the building as determined by police and/or school administrators. During a soft lockdown, normal classroom activities and learning continue but outdoor activities are prohibited, and students outside will be brought in the building. Dismissal and exit from the building is not allowed. A scenario would include if there is law enforcement activity in a neighborhood near the school.
Hard Lockdown
The purpose of a hard lockdown is to make everyone at the school aware of a potential threat inside of the building. During a hard lockdown, directions will be provided over the intercom system. Evacuation does not take place and bells and alarms are ignored. Students in the hallways or restrooms will be directed into the nearest classroom. Dismissal and exit from the building is not allowed. Normal classroom activities can take place. A hard lockdown is NOT used if there is an armed intruder in the building. Scenarios include a canine search, a medical emergency that requires first responders or an unsafe situation in the building.
ALICE Protocols (Armed Intruder in the Building)
ALICE protocols are initiated when there is an armed intruder that poses an imminent threat to those inside the building. All bells and alarms are ignored and information will be shared over the intercom system to keep everyone in the building informed about the intruder, their location and other information as it is available. Staff and students should use the information being provided to make the best decisions on how to respond. Options include, but are not limited to, barricading the door, turning off lights, hiding, evacuation to off-campus sites and/or countering measures.