Reunification Information

A Message about Our Community Commitment to Student Safety

Dear District 200 Families,

Our highest priority is the safety, well-being, and peace of mind of every student, staff member, and family in our communities. While the school districts listed above operate independently, we share a deeply rooted belief that safety is a collective community responsibility.

To ensure a unified and highly effective approach to emergencies, all four of the districts above use the "I Love U Guys" Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and Standard Reunification Method (SRM). By using the same language, training, and protocols across our neighboring communities, our staff, students, and local emergency responders can work together seamlessly if a crisis ever arises.

Additionally, our districts have collaborated with the police and fire departments in Oak Park, Forest Park, and River Forest to establish a plan to reunite students and families in the event of an emergency. Below, you'll find important information about this plan.

What is the Standard Response Protocol (SRP)?

The SRP is a proven, emergency response framework that uses five simple, specific commands to guide students and staff through clear safety steps: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Our schools practice these drills regularly throughout the year so that these responses become second nature to our school communities.

Understanding the Standard Reunification Method (SRM)

In some emergency situations, students may need to be picked up from a location other than their school building. If that happens, our districts would use the Standard Reunification Method (SRM). This is a structured, orderly process designed to safely cross-reference and reunite students with their parents, guardians, or authorized emergency contacts.

Families play an important role in helping this process go smoothly. Here are five important ways you can support school safety and emergency response:

• Watch for Official District Updates: In an emergency, our districts will communicate with families directly through our regular channels, such as email, phone calls, and text messages. We know families will want information quickly—we will share verified updates as soon as we are able.
• Wait for Instructions Before Going to a School or Reunification Site: If reunification is needed, we will tell families where to go and what to do. Please wait for official district communication before going to a school or reunification site, as early arrivals can interfere with emergency response efforts and the safe movement of students and staff.
• Bring Your Photo ID: To keep students safe, anyone picking up a child during reunification will need to show valid photo identification. Students will be released only to approved parents, guardians, and emergency contacts (as designated in each district’s student information system).
• Verify Your Emergency Contacts Now: Please take a few minutes to log into your district’s parent portal and make sure your phone numbers, email address, and emergency contacts are current. This is one of the most helpful, proactive steps families can take before an emergency occurs.
  (*Note for District 97 Pre-K-5 families - please reach out to your school's main office.)
• Be Prepared for the Process to Take Time: Reunification is designed to be careful and accountable. When families arrive at the reunification site, they will be asked to check in at a greeting gate, fill out a reunification card, and wait while a staff member brings students to the pickup area. We appreciate your patience and partnership if this process is ever needed.

We practice and prepare for these scenarios with the sincere hope that we will never have to use them. Thank you for your trust, partnership, and shared commitment to keeping all of our children safe.

Sincerely,

Dr. Greg Johnson, Superintendent