Handbook - Safety

What Families Need to Know

Harlem School District is committed to maintaining safe learning environments. Schools regularly practice emergency procedures and work with local first responders and community partners to prepare for a variety of situations. Harlem uses standardized emergency response language, including Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

Safety Protocols and Reunification

The Harlem School District trains staff and students each year to prepare for safety-related issues. Each school establishes school safety drills and procedures for the building. Practice and preparation are key to all safety response initiatives. Safety drills are practiced routinely throughout the school year. All safety drills follow guidelines set by the fire department, the police department, and the school district. For more information regarding the protocols, as well as, expectations for parents/guardians during an emergency, visit our Emergency and Inclement Weather page.

Safety Drills

During every academic year, each school building that houses school children shall conduct, at a minimum, each of the following in accordance with the School Safety Drill Act (105 ILCS 128/):

Three school evacuation drills to address and prepare students and school personnel for fire incidents. One of these three drills shall require the participation of the local fire department or district.
One bus evacuation drill.
One severe weather and shelter-in-place drill to address and prepare students and school personnel for possible tornado incidents.
One law enforcement lockdown drill to address a school shooting incident and to evaluate the preparedness of school personnel and students. This drill shall occur no later than 90 days after the first day of school of each year and shall require the participation of all school personnel and students present at school at the time of the drill, except for those exempted by administrators, school support personnel, or a parent/guardian.

Threat Assessment Teams and School Safety Teams

Each school has a Threat Assessment Team. The Threat Assessment Team is made up of educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement (SRO), and other individuals trained in behavioral threat assessment. The team addresses potential or developing threatening behavior exhibited by individuals in the school community. The School Safety Teams are responsible for developing and assessing the school's safety plan and procedures.

Inclement Weather

The decision to close schools is based on how snow, ice, or cold will affect students, staff, and parents during travel to and from school. School cancellations will be made up at the end of the school year. Typically, a wind chill of negative 25 will start the conversation about possibly closing schools. When possible, decisions to close school will be made as early as possible. In all these situations, you can expect the following communication from the district:

A district official will utilize our mass notification system, Finalsite Mass Notification, to call and email parents and staff regarding any change to the school schedule. Please make sure that your emergency contact information on file with the district is current. Phone calls will be sent from 779-771-5800, and emails will be sent from communications@harlem122.org.

Emergency information will also be distributed via:
HSD 122 Website: www.harlem122.org
HSD 122 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarlemDistrict122/
HSD 122 Mobile App: Google Play and App Store
Local radio and television stations

Elementary Recess

Students at the elementary schools will go outside for recess except in situations of inclement weather (cold, heat, or rain). Students will remain inside if the temperature or wind chill is below 10 degrees or the temperature or heat index is above 95 degrees.

Student/Family Responsibilities

Students must follow staff directions during drills and emergencies and immediately report safety concerns, threats, weapons or other concerning behavior. During an emergency, families should rely on official District communication and avoid coming to the school unless directed to do so.

How to Get Help / Who to Contact

Immediate safety concerns should be reported to a staff member or administrator. Students and families may also use Safe2Help Illinois for confidential safety reporting. In an emergency, call 911. Crisis resources should include 988, Crisis Text Line, and Safe2Help Illinois.