• Safety and Security Philosophy

    District 113 takes a layered approach to its comprehensive safety and security program, applying multiple measures together to mitigate against the risk of violence in our schools and on our campuses.  District 113 believes that safe schools are the result of a coordinated effort between all District stakeholders. This includes school personnel, local first responders, community members, parents, guardians, caregivers, and D113 students. It is more than security infrastructure, emergency response protocols or safety drills. It requires a steadfast commitment from all stakeholders to create a positive learning environment where everyone feels valued and respected. 

     

    Climate and Culture

    The research shows that establishing a connection between students and their schools–belonging–is the most successful way to keep students and staff safe. Safe and supportive learning environments have a positive impact on student well-being and mental health. In District 113, this is accomplished by implementing compassionate, evidence-based programs, including Homeroom, social and emotional learning and supports, and restorative practices. This “whole-child” approach fosters trusting and healthy relationships with trusted adults, reduces negative student interactions and improves student engagement and attendance. 

     

    Threat Assessment

    Threat Assessment Teams are in use nationwide and required at all Illinois schools. District 113 uses a program developed by the FBI and U.S. Secret Service. Under this system, school personnel are trained to proactively recognize and investigate threats of violence. This fact-based approach enables team members to review each situation on its individual merits and evaluate the level of concern and risk to others. Action is then taken to implement protective measures and mitigate a potential threat to District 113 students and staff.

     

    School Resource Officers (SROs)

    Through a partnership with the Deerfield and Highland Park Police Departments, District 113 has a full-time SRO on each campus. The purpose of the SRO is to increase security and serve as a law enforcement liaison for each building. The SROs undergo specialized training in juvenile justice and are certified to work with students. The SROs operate under the SRO Triad Model endorsed by the National School Resource Officers Association (NASRO). They focus their efforts on serving as mentors/informal counselors, public safety educators, and law enforcement officers. SROs are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the school communities. These officers also help change behaviors that might otherwise lead to involvement with the criminal justice system.

     

    Secured Access to School Buildings

    All interior and exterior doors in District 113 buildings are equipped with electronic scanners for controlled access. The exterior doors are locked during the school day and can only be opened by authorized persons with valid key cards. Current students are allowed to enter the school by scanning their District 113-issued IDs at supervised entry points. An alarm is activated for doors that are opened without authorization, or “propped” for re-entry. After regular school hours, access within the building is restricted to athletics and extracurricular activities and events. 

     

    Video Surveillance

    Building and campus-wide surveillance systems, with real-time monitoring by security personnel enables early detection of and rapid response to critical incidents. Integration with the access control platform allows for enhanced supervision of all entrances and exits. 

     

    Weapons Detection

    Weapons detection systems (WDS) are operated by trained security personnel at Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools. These devices complement existing security measures by deterring and detecting situations when an individual may attempt to bring a concealed firearm or other dangerous item into our schools. The District is also deploying specially trained K9 teams at both schools to provide continuous, mobile surveillance and detection services.

     

    Visitor Management

    All school building visitors are screened in a secure vestibule through the guest access system that requires visitors to scan a valid driver's license prior to obtaining a visitor badge to enter the school. The software immediately alerts personnel if a visitor is prohibited from being on school grounds. This system also allows school officials to enter information on Orders of Protection, trespass notices, or other community alerts.

     

    Community and Municipal Partnerships 

    District 113 maintains active partnerships and is in regular communication with other school districts, local organizations, municipalities, and law enforcement agencies. Working together, these organizations share information, resources, and best practices to support each other in promoting safe and secure communities. 

     

    Engagement with Law Enforcement Intelligence Agencies

    Designated staff members from District 113 are active members of the Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center (STIC), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Intelligence Network (HSIN), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These agencies provide training and confidential briefings on potential threats, incidents of violence or world events that may affect the school or wider community. 

     

    Emergency Operations Plan

    School leaders work throughout the year planning for emergencies and evaluating security protocols. This process includes collaboration with local first-responders to develop building-specific security procedures and participate in joint emergency management training exercises.

     

    Safety Drills

    As required by The Illinois Safety Drill Act, District 113 conducts a number of school-based safety drills. These include fire drills, bus evacuation drills, lockdown drills and severe weather drills. These drills are scheduled by the Deans' Office in each school.  

     

    Lockdown Drills

    The Illinois Safety Drill Act requires each school to hold at least one lockdown drill per school year. During the drill, students move to a space in their classroom not visible from the hallway, while the teacher locks the door and turns off the light. The Deans' Office will provide notice to families of upcoming lockdown drills so parents/guardians can exercise their right to exclude student(s) from participating in the school-wide drill.

     

    ALICE Protocol 

    In a lockdown, our staff is trained in the safety protocol “ALICE” – an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. This approach provides universal guidance on how to respond to an armed assailant or other violent critical incident. While previous training has focused on staying secure in one room during a lockdown, ALICE training empowers participants to evaluate a situation and decide whether they should stay in lockdown, evacuate, or take other steps for safety.

     

    Radio Communications

    District 113 uses upgraded digital radios to ensure a strong, reliable signal that allows first responders to communicate in all sections of the District 113 buildings. This enables interoperability and enhanced communication in disaster and emergency situations. 

     

    Speak Up for Safety - D113 Tip Line 

    District 113 believes that everyone should feel empowered to “Speak Up for Safety” to report suspicious activity or concerning behavior. The District 113 Tip Line through “WeTip“ is an anonymous reporting platform designed to alert school officials about concerns or potential threats to safety or security in District 113. 

     

    Non-emergency tips can be submitted anonymously online, through the D113 app, or by calling or texting 844-224-1521 to report any of the following situations:

    • Bullying

    • Concern for Self or Others, including substance abuse

    • Discrimination or Harassment

    • Physical Abuse & Misconduct 

    • Threat of Violence to School or Students 

    • Vandalism 

    • A General Tip - any other concern or unsafe condition 

     

    Emergency Notifications

    In the event of an emergency, District 113 will contact staff, parents/guardians and students by the following means and will continue to update stakeholders as new, confirmed information becomes available.

    To ensure you receive communications, make sure your contact information is accurate. Please note, in an emergency District 113 will contact these groups as soon as we possibly can when we have accurate information. District 113 is well aware that rumors may circulate online or on social media before D113 can confirm accurate information in conjunction with law enforcement. Please refrain from speculating or reposting unconfirmed information on social media. 

    • Text* - to the cell phone number on file in Infinite Campus (students and parents/guardians) and Skyward (staff)
    • Phone call* - to the phone number on file in Infinite Campus (students and parents/guardians) and Skyward (staff)
    • Email - to the email address on file in Infinite Campus (students and parents/guardians) and Skyward (staff) 
    • Push notification - if you have the District 113 app and push notifications enabled

    Parents/Guardians and Students

    • Parents/Guardians will be contacted using the information provided through registration or annual update in Infinite Campus
    • Parents/Guardians can update verify/update their email addresses/phone numbers in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal 
    • *Students will be contacted through email and by call/text if their parent/guardian entered their student’s cell phone number in Infinite Campus in the IC Parent Portal 

    Staff 

    • Staff will be contacted by using the information the staff member provided in Skyward
    • Staff should follow these instructions describing how to check information to ensure it is current and to ensure their information is in the right location in Skyward 

     

    Resources