Lake Villa School District #41
Parent/Guardian Emergency Guide
In the event of a school emergency, Lake Villa District 41 will communicate with parents/guardians regarding an emergency. Please familiarize yourself with our tips and terminology that may be used during our communications. Emergencies include but are not limited to: severe weather, utility failures, fire, chemical spills, violent critical incidents, etc.
Emergency Tips for Parents/Guardians
Contact Information-Please make sure all phone numbers and emails are up to date to assure that you will receive your preferred notification of email, text and/or robocall. Note: Robocalls can leave voicemails.
Have a Plan-Have an idea on who can care for your child in the event that you are unable to do so. Make sure that their information is in PowerSchool.
Identification-Please make sure that anyone authorized to pick up your child has an I.D. ready to present. This will be needed at the school or the reunification site.
Open Phone Lines-Clear communication waves will be critical during these times. We ask that you do not call any students or staff as they will need their communication lines free to receive any instruction with how to handle the matter. Please do not call 911 for updates as those lines should remain free for emergency reporting. Lake Villa District 41 will provide updates as soon as possible. Follow your child’s school website, social media, local television, and/or local radio. Please listen to the local news on TV and/or radio.
Parent/Guardian Response-It is extremely important to keep all sites and roads clear of traffic from parents/guardians so first responders can work as efficiently as possible. Buses may need the roads clear due to transportation to our reunification site. One of the most challenging yet most important contributions from parents/guardians is to only come pick up your child when District #41 instructs to do so.
Terminology
Assembly Points-Assembly points are designated areas inside of the school building where first responders will gather students and staff under their supervision.
Soft Lockdown-Exterior doors are locked. Students and staff remain in their rooms. Movement around the building is prohibited. This is utilized to keep hallways clear. (e.g. fight or medical emergency response in the hallway, utility repairs-burst water pipe etc)
Closed Campus-Students and staff are free to move from room to room inside of the building but no one other than first responders will be allowed to enter from outside of the building. Note: During this time, parents/guardians will not be able to arrive and pick up their children.
Hard Lockdown-All interior and exterior doors are closed and locked. Students and staff are to remain inside of their secured space until given permission to evacuate by authorized school personnel or first responders.
Rally Points-Rally points are designated areas away from the school that are within walking distance that staff and students will go to once evacuated. Once there, they will load the buses to be transported to the reunification site.
Reunification Site-This site is the location designated by the district where parents/guardians will be able to pick up their student. There is an organized process at this site that allows personnel to pair students with their parents/guardians.