Oswego Community Unit School District 308

 

Campus Safety and Security
The safety and security of students and staff is a top priority of District 308. We continually review procedures and consider recommendations by school and agency experts. We have adopted Standard Response Protocols that align with nationally recognized procedures that are outlined in the “I Love U Guys” Foundation and align with other school districts across Illinois.

Parent/Visitor Management
Limiting and closely monitoring building access at a single point of entry during school hours is the foundation of security, and a critical strategy for safety. As a result, the following are required procedures:

● Staff enter the building with key cards that can be deactivated; all exterior doors are locked during school hours
● Staff teach students with classroom doors locked to prevent unauthorized access of individuals during school
● Staff wear visible identification to align with the district’s visitor management protocol
● Staff and administration frequently teach and practice emergency responses with students. Parents are informed each time a school practices, or uses, an emergency once during the school day
● Visitors are screened via video outside the building’s main entrance
● Visitors must present a valid form of identification at the main office or security desk (high schools) to allow for
screening databases of sex offenders or others prohibited from school property

 

In an effort to partner with parents for the safety of students and staff, and minimize the time associated with safety protocols, parents/guardians may notify the school ahead of time to schedule visits, pick up their student, or make appointments with staff. This advance notification could be in the form of:
● A phone call to the appropriate office or staff member
● A note sent with your student that includes your contact information
● An email to a staff member to request a conference or meeting or communicate regarding student arrival/pick up.
Prior to building entry, visitors and parents/guardians must provide:
● Valid reason for entry (in-person or via video phone)
● Verification information regarding the student

 

Identification badges are provided and must be worn by visitors. The process is efficient and ensures staff does not grant inappropriate school access. Security procedures can cause minor inconveniences. Providing a safe environment outweighs annoyances we may collectively face while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere within the context of a secure school!

 

Additional Security Measures in Progress
● Surveillance cameras are used in/around school buildings, school grounds and on school busses
● Entryway features direct visitors to one appropriate/monitored entry point
● Staff/Students train, and actively practice, emergency response options (including armed intruder/active shooter)
● Schools implement, drill, and evaluate safety protocols/procedures with police/fire and other first responding partners
● Administration reviews, to consider for implementation, recommendations from local, state, and national experts.

 

Student/Parent Reunification
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary to release students to their family outside of the normal release time or from a
different building. Although a parent’s first response may be to go to the school, the District asks that parents avoid going to schools as this could interfere with our first responders. In some situations, students may be relocated to another facility for safety. In such an instance, the District’s Emergency Response Plan incorporates a systematic Standard Reunification Method to reunite children with their parents. The protocol makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. Please understand that the reunification process can be time consuming, so parents/guardians are urged to be patient. We will do everything we can to reunite you with your student as quickly and safely as possible. SD 308 continues to practice with our staff on this process and we look forward to training with our public safety partners as well during the 25/26 school year.

 

Common Language
Our response protocols are based on an all-hazards approach as opposed to individual scenarios. It utilizes clear common language while allowing for flexibility. The premise is simple, there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident. When communicating these, the action is labeled with a “Term of Art” and is then followed by a “Directive.” Execution of the action is performed by active participants, including students, staff, teachers, visitors and first responders. The response actions are based on
the following actions: Hold in Place, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate and Shelter.
HOLD IN PLACE
● There is a situation inside the hallway/building that requires the hallways to be clear
● Staff and Students should stay in their classroom or area
● Clear the hallways and remain in their area or room an until an “All Clear” is announced
● Learning continues as normal. An example of when this may be used is during a medical emergency
SECURE BUILDING
● A hazard or danger exists outside of the school
● Everyone is brought inside the building, exterior doors should remain locked
● No one is allowed in or out of the building
● Learning continues as normal
LOCKDOWN / ALICE
● An active threat exists inside the building. District 308 trains our staff and students on the principles of
ALICE.
○ Alert: Initial alert of an emergency; tell people what is going on (call 9-1-1)
○ Lockdown: If evacuation is not a safe option, get behind a locked door and remain quiet
○ Inform: Communicate real time information on the intruders location
○ Counter: Create noise, movement, distance and distraction with the intent of reducing the
shooter’s ability to shoot accurately. Counter is not fighting
○ Evacuate: When given real time information and it is safe to do so, get away from the danger

EVACUATE
● Staff and students are moved to a safe location
● An example of when this may be used is during an activated fire alarm
SHELTER
● During a significant weather event, staff and students are trained to identify the hazard and the appropriate
safety strategy
● Move to the appropriate shelter area inside the building
● Drop, cover, hold (earthquake)
● Remain until the “All clear” is given

 

Feedback and Contact Information
Please contact your student’s school administrator for additional information about a specific school’s safety practices. For other questions or concerns, please contact the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Jeremy Bell, via e-mail at jbell01@sd308.org,
or by phone at 630-636-3484, Executive Director of Student Services, Bailey Campbell, via e-mail at bcampbell@sd308.org or by
phone at 630-636-3485 or the Coordinator for School Safety and Security, Mike Frieders, via email at mfrieders01@sd308.org or by
phone at 630-636-4639.