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Crisis/Emergency Information

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: Crisis Information for Families


Our district undergoes rigorous planning to ready our students and staff for emergencies that could occur during the school day. 
As the parent/guardian of a CUSD 10 student, you also need to be prepared and informed about what YOU can expect in the unfortunate event that a crisis occurs while your child is at school.

Be Prepared

Should an emergency or disaster situation ever arise in our area while school is in session, we want you to be aware that all of our schools have made preparations to respond effectively to such situations. We have a detailed emergency operations plan which has been formulated to respond to a major catastrophe, and ensure children are cared for until they can be reunited with their families.  

Your cooperation is necessary in any emergency.  Please have members of your family familiarize themselves with the information and the student release procedures below.

 

A collage of images depicting emergency services, including a police car, a firefighter assisting someone, and a fire alarm.

A collage of emergency vehicles, including an ambulance, fire trucks, and police cars.

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Are Your Emergency Contacts Up-To-Date?

If an emergency situation occurs, students will be released ONLY to parents/guardians OR persons identified on the student’s emergency contact information form. Emergency contact information is designated in Skyward. Use the button below to check and update your emergency contacts in Skyward Family Access.

Skyward Family Access
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Watch for Official Emergency Announcements

Emergency announcements for families will be relayed via the district website, social media and ParentSquare communications platform. In addition, situation updates may be provided by first responders and relayed on local media. Website: www.kahoks.org Facebook: @CUSD10 X: @CUSD10 Download the ParentSquare app from your app store

ParentSquare Information
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WHEN AN EMERGENCY OCCURS

What Happens

In the event of an emergency:

  • Emergency announcements will be relayed via the school district website, social media and ParentSquare. DO NOT react to rumors.  Official communication will come directly from the school district or in cooperation with local emergency management personnel.   
  • Do not telephone the school or district office.  Telephone lines will be needed for emergency communication.
  • In the event of a serious emergency, students will be kept at their schools or transferred to a safe location until they are picked-up by a designated, responsible adult.  Please do not come to the school to pick-up your child unless you have been told it is safe and appropriate to do so.  Law enforcement and first responders need access to the scene of an emergency. Children will be sheltered and cared for by district staff.
  • Details for reunification will be released by the school district when it is safe and appropriate to do so.  Please watch for this information shared on the district website, official district social media, and via ParentSquare.  In addition, information may be provided to local media outlets.

 

 

If an emergency occurs, DO NOT TELEPHONE the school or district office and DO NOT COME TO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD. Telephone lines are needed for crisis communication and first responders need clear access to the site of the emergency.

Reunification

When the time comes:

  • Families will be notified regarding the time, location and process for reuniting with their child.  If students have been transported to an alternate location to be picked up by their parent/guardian or emergency contact, this information will be relayed via the district website, official district social media or ParentSquare.
  • The person who is authorized to retrieve the child MUST be a parent/guardian OR a person designated by the parent/guardian on the student’s emergency contact information form. (This form is completed during online registration at the beginning of every school year and maintained on Skyward.)  
  • Students will be released ONLY to parents/guardians OR persons identified on the student’s emergency contact information form.  This person MUST show a government issued photo ID:  drivers license, state issued identification card or passport.
  • Only one parent/emergency contact per student will be allowed at the reunification site to pick-up a child. Please be patient and respect the process to allow everything to transpire in an orderly fashion. 


Please discuss these matters with your immediate family.

Planning ahead will help alleviate concern during emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • To prepare your child for a crisis during the school day, stress the need for them to follow the directions of any school personnel in times of an emergency. Emphasize to them that school personnel and first responders will take care of them until you are able to bring them home.

  • Emergency drills that are required for schools:

    • Evacuation/Fire Drills:  3 (one that includes fire department participation)
    • Shelter in Place/Tornado:  1
    • Bus Evacuation:  1 (with bus company)
    • Active Shooter/Law Enforcement:  1 (includes police department participation)

     

    In addition, teachers and school staff receive supplementary training and instructions for crisis situations, including medical emergencies. 

  • Our district security team has implemented a multilayer system to keep our schools safe.  

    Raptor Visitor Management System

    The Raptor Visitor Management System requires all visitors to show a driver’s license or state-issued ID before entering our schools. 

    OPENGATE Threat Detection System

    All CUSD 10 schools use OPENGATE, a state-of-the-art, fully-open, walk-through detection system that is used by stadiums, arenas, schools, theme parks, hospitals and transportation hubs. CUSD 10 is one of thousands of districts throughout the country, state, and country implementing the OPENGATE system to better protect our students, staff, and visitors. OPENGATE is portable, and can be used indoors or outdoors. CUSD 10 students and visitors are screened when entering our school buildings or athletic venues.

    Safe2Help App and Website

    An important way to keep schools safe is to prevent an incident from happening. Safe2Help Illinois is a statewide program that offers students helpful resources and multiple ways to report mental health, bullying, abuse and other issues.  Safe2Help contact information is printed on the back of all student IDs. Use this link to visit the Safe2Help Illinois website. 

    Raptor Alert Incident Management Mobile App

    The Raptor Alert app transforms smartphones and other mobile devices into safety assistants to take an active role in staff communication during a crisis. 

  • In the event an emergency occurs at school, PLEASE DO NOT RUSH TO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD.  

    First responders need complete access to the scene. Our buildings, staff and students will be under their direction.  Concerned parents arriving on the scene will be turned away.  Students cannot be released until we are cleared to begin the reunification process.  

    When first responders indicate to us that the situation is under control and it is safe to do so, we will share information about how, when and where the reunification process will take place.  Please wait for instructions, and proceed as directed.

    REMEMBER: Students will be released ONLY to parents/guardians OR persons identified on the student’s emergency contact information form in Skyward. 

    Consider the following criteria when you choose and authorize another person to serve as an emergency contact:

    • They are 18 years of age or older.
    • They are usually home during the day.
    • They could walk to school, if necessary.
    • They are known to your child.
    • They are aware and able to assume this responsibility.

    Individuals picking up a child (parent/guardian or emergency contact) will be required to show a government issued photo ID:  drivers license, state issued identification card or passport. Make sure everyone is aware and prepared to bring identification with them.

    PLEASE BE SURE TO KEEP ALL EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION UP-TO-DATE IN SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS.

  • Family reunification is the means for safe, orderly and documented reunion of students and families in the even of an emergency evacuation or school closing. 

    Students cannot be released until a formal process is in place to account for every student and ensure they are going home with a the correct designated and verified adult.   

    The goal of a school district’s family reunification plan is to reduce anxiety and stress, maintain order, and provide a sense of safety for students and their families.

    If an emergency situation occurs, there will be a lot of first responders and activity at the scene.  As a result, it may be necessary to move the reunification process to an alternate site.  You will be notified as to where and when reunification will take place. PLEASE WATCH  AND WAIT FOR OFFICIAL INFORMATION.

    When you get to the reunification site, expect to see security and law enforcement personnel there to tell you where to go, where to park and where to enter the building. PLEASE FOLLOW ALL SIGNAGE AND INSTRUCTIONS. 

    District personnel and volunteers will guide you through the process.  YOU WILL BE ASKED TO HAVE STATE-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION READY TO SHOW AS YOU ENTER.  

    Remember, students will only be released to a parent/guardian or person designated in Skyward as an emergency contact. Make sure you coordinate who is going to be the person who goes to the reunification center.  

    WE ASK FOR YOUR PATIENCE DURING THE REUNIFICATION PROCESS.  Our goal is to keep students calm and supervised by familiar faces as they wait for your arrival.  Once you have completed the steps necessary to take your child, they will be released to you to go home.