Statement of Continued Support for the Rights and Safety of All Students

Dear OPRF High School Students, Staff, and Families,

In light of the recent heightened immigration activity in the area, I want to assure you that Oak Park and River Forest High School remains committed to upholding our policies that ensure no student or family is discriminated against, harassed, or bullied because of their race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or immigration status. It’s critical that we do all we can to make OPRF a safe and welcoming environment for every student.

In addition to the statement we made on January 27, 2025 (updated below), we want to emphasize that we are working closely with the Village of Oak Park to stay aligned on communication regarding any activity in the community. Please see the Village’s statement, published on Thursday, Sept. 18, regarding federal immigration activity in Oak Park.

Federal Policy Change regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the end of a longstanding federal policy that had designated schools as “sensitive locations,” where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were generally restricted from conducting enforcement actions (with limited exceptions).

As a result, if immigration officials come to campus, our safety and security team, along with school administration, have established procedures to ensure we are well prepared.

Please review this Fact Sheet on ICE enforcement in schools to better understand the current status of schools as protected “sensitive locations.”

As we receive updated information on federal policy changes affecting schools, we will continue to review our protocols and provide guidance to staff on how best to protect our students, families, and community.

Update Emergency Contact Information
We strongly urge families to review your child’s emergency contact information in Skyward, and include as many contacts as possible. Having up-to-date emergency contact information can be useful in the event that a parent or guardian is detained by ICE. If you need to update this information, please email Registrar@oprfhs.org. 

It’s a good idea to make sure your child has access to emergency contact information if you’re not available. Have them put contacts in their phone and keep copies of a written list too.

Protecting Your Mental Health
For our students who may be experiencing anxiety and fear related to federal policies, we have mental health resources available. Please reach out to your child’s counselor or social worker to ensure your student receives the support they need. Click here to find their contact information on our website.

We’ve posted a list of immigration resources here on our website, and we will continue to communicate with you as this situation evolves. Please know we remain fully committed to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment for all our students. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Greg Johnson
Superintendent