The school has received several questions over the past few weeks about emergency preparedness drills, so hopefully this will help clarify any misunderstandings or questions you may have. In regards to emergency drills, school districts are required by law to practice three (3) fire drills each year (one with fire department participation), one (1) bus evacuation drill, one (1) severe weather and shelter-in-place drill (earthquake, tornado, severe thunderstorm, etc.), and one (1) active shooter drill (with law enforcement participation).
Public Act 100-996 recently amended the School Safety Drill Act to require all schools in Illinois to conduct at least one (1) annual active shooter or active threat drill, effective January 1, 2019. The drill must occur within 90 days after the first day of each school year, meaning the 2019-2020 school year. Pursuant to the amendment, these drills are to be conducted in order to evaluate the preparedness of school personnel and students in response to a school shooting threat, which has unfortunately become all too common in recent years.
This requirement previously provided that drills could be conducted on days and times when students were not present in the school building. Following the amendment, the Act now requires active shooter drills to be conducted on days and times when students are typically present in the school building, and the drills must involve participation from all personnel and students present at the school at the time of the drill. The Act does provide that administrators or school support personnel may, in their discretion, exempt students from participation in the drill. Finally, the Act now provides that the appropriate local law enforcement agency must observe administration of the drill.
The changes made to the Act are intended to ensure that students and staff are adequately prepared in the case of an active shooter emergency. You, as the parent/guardian, can help us better prepare our students by speaking with your child(ren) in regards to these practice drills. Please explain to them the importance of these drills and their need to take these practice drills seriously. Our goal as a school district is not to frighten any child or young adult, but to educate and better prepare them for all emergency situations. After all, we understand that you have trusted us with your most prized possession, and we want to keep them safe and secure every day that we share with them.
If you see fire trucks or ambulances or police cars or other emergency vehicles around the schools, more than likely we are practicing our emergency drills. In fact, some of these drills are surprise drills to the faculty, staff, and administration as well. We will do our very best to inform you as quickly as possible when these practice drills occur. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact the school and ask for administration.
One last thing, the faculty, staff, and administration had the opportunity to view a Public Service Announcement on YouTube called, “Back-To-School Essentials (Sandy Hook Promise).” The beginning of this Public Service Announcement looks like an advertisement for school supplies (a new backpack, folders, etc.). But as the next student puts on his headphones, it becomes clear the spot is about something else altogether.
The PSA is the work of Sandy Hook Promise, a non-profit organization formed by parents of the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012. It tells viewers that school shootings are preventable when you know the signs and is part of the effort to help students, teachers, staff, and community members recognize when someone is in danger of hurting themselves or others. Although it is unnerving and upsetting, we encourage you to watch this video. It will definitely get your attention and help you realize how important practicing these emergency drills can be. Although we have viewed this video ourselves, we will leave it up to you as the parent/guardian as to whether or not you want your young adult to view the video.
Your Partner In Education,
The Carrier Mills-Stonefort Administration