Safety & Security in D118

School Safety Vision:

A safe school is a place where learning can occur in a welcoming environment free of intimidation, violence, and fear. Wauconda CUSD 118 is dedicated to providing a safe environment for children so they can focus on learning and growing.

School Safety Mission:

The Wauconda CUSD 118 Safety and Security Department is committed to the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors within all Wauconda CUSD 118 facilities. Professional development and collaborative partnerships are necessary to the success of the safety plan and emergency management efforts that include prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery procedures relevant to potential natural and human-caused crises.

Wauconda Community United School District 118 communicates regularly with parents using a mass electronic messaging system. Parents will receive automated phone calls, text messages, and emails during school emergencies. If families are not receiving messages, check to ensure that the correct phone and email address are on file. It is critical that the District has correct contact information for families during an emergency; please make sure to update any school emergency contact information for each child each time the information changes. 

Please do not attempt to call the school during an emergency, the District will contact families with the information as soon as possible. Although there are people assigned to answer phones at school, these lines are likely to be overloaded during an emergency and are not the best source of information. Keep your phone with you during emergencies to receive updates. 

For school emergency information, check the district website and watch for communications from the district to your phone or email. 

Depending on the emergency, families may not be able to get close to the school and may be asked to wait in a safe area. If it is hazardous for students to be released, everyone will be kept inside the school until notified by the authorities that it is safe outside. Schools will act with the safety of students in mind, and school officials will always follow the directives of the police department and the fire department.

STUDENT/PARENT REUNIFICATION

The Wauconda School District follows the Standard Reunification Method (SRM). Circumstances may occur at the school that require parents to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release or dismissal from a location other than their child's school. This process is called Reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, hazardous materials or if a crisis occurs at the school. The Reunification method is a protocol that makes the process more predictable and less chaotic/confusing for all involved. 

Reunifying students with their parents or legal guardians in the aftermath of an emergency is very important and requires planning in advance of the emergency to ensure everyone is safe. Accomplishing this goal requires the efficient, coordinated use of resources and efforts from across the entire community (including School District personnel, local law enforcement, fire and Emergency Management officials). 

WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE THIS HAPPENS TO PREPARE? 

Parents should always make sure to keep their emergency contact information up to date in the school so notifications will be made to you in a timely manner. ALWAYS bring your identification when you will be picking up your student(s). 

NOTIFICATIONS 

Parents may be notified in a number of ways. The school may send out automated phone messages, emails or website postings – usually multiple messages to keep you updated to this event. ALWAYS BRING YOUR ID. Also make sure that your personal information such as phone numbers and email addresses are up to date so you will receive these messages. Please do not call the school.

PARENT/GUARDIAN EXPECTATIONS 

If a parent or guardian is notified that a reunification is needed, there are some expectations that parents or guardians should be aware of. Do not go to the school - students will not be released from the school. Do not call the school - the staff will be involved with transporting students. Always bring identification to the reunification site. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian. We cannot release students to anyone who is not listed on the Emergency Contact information for the school.

WHAT IF THE PARENT CANNOT PICK UP THEIR STUDENT? 

When a parent cannot immediately go to the reunification site, students will only be released to individuals previously identified on the student Emergency Contact List. Otherwise, the school will hold students until parents can pick up their student.

WHAT IF THE STUDENT DROVE TO SCHOOL? 

There may be instances where a student may not be allowed to remove a vehicle from the parking lot. In this case, parents will be advised to pick up their student at the reunification site. 

REUNIFICATION FORMS 

For parents, there are a couple of steps. If a parent is driving to the reunification site, greater awareness of traffic and emergency vehicles is advised. Parents should park where instructed to park by officials at the reunification site. Do not abandon your vehicle. Go to the reunification “check in” area and form lines based on the first letter of their student’s last name (if you have multiple students, you can check them all out in one line). Have your identification with you. While in line, parents will be asked to fill out a reunification form. This form is two part and will be separated by school officials during the process. Parents are asked to complete all parts of the form for each student you are picking up. 

See the following sample cards: English Form and Spanish Form

BRING ID TO CHECK IN 

During check in, identification and custody rights are confirmed on every student. The form is separated and handed back to the parent. From the “Check In” area, parents are directed to the “Staging” area. There, a runner will take your form and go to the Student Assembly Area to retrieve the student(s). 

Parents should be aware that in some cases, they may be invited into the building for further information.

INTERVIEWS AND COUNSELING 

In some instances, parents may be advised that a law enforcement investigation is underway and may be advised that interviews are necessary. In extreme cases, parents may be pulled inside for emergency or medical information. Please understand that this process will take time and we will work to ensure that everyone is delivered safely to their parent or guardian. For further information please see attached parent handout: English and Spanish.