Safety FAQs

STAY CALM AND STAY ALERT

• In the event of a school emergency, please remain calm and know that school staff, district personnel and first responders are working to keep your child safe. Round Lake Area Schools fully understands the importance of communication during an emergency, and we are prepared and committed to provide ongoing updates throughout the situation. Based on the situation, Round Lake Area Schools may provide information via emails and/or texts..text, and e-mails. Please know that the media will not always report accurate information. In addition, we know that during a school emergency, many of our students will try to call or text their parents/guardians. If this occurs, we ask that you stay calm and reassuring. Encourage your student to follow the directions of school staff.
   

STAY AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL

• We understand your desire to go to the school and the need to see your child, especially in a critical situation.  However, arriving at the scene before it is secure can interfere with the emergency response, potentially putting staff and students in danger, as well as yourself.  Past school emergencies have shown that one of the greatest challenges is how to manage the number of parents and concerned citizens rushing to the scene. By rushing to the school, parents can unintentionally create traffic jams that may block emergency responders from getting to the school or leaving if necessary to transport injured students or staff to emergency medical facilities. Families should not come to pick up their child unless given the direction to do so from building administration. 

KEEP PHONE LINES OPEN

• We ask that families do not call the school. This allows phone lines to stay open for communication with emergency personnel and school officials. It also helps school staff to remain focused on the safety of their students. The school/district will communicate any information with you as soon as possible via emails, and/or text messages. 

DO NOT CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR 911

• The police department will be dealing with the school emergency and the dispatch line must remain open for any other emergencies that could occur in the community. Calling to ask what is going on at the school will only take away from the dispatcher being available to handle other emergencies, while also interrupting communication with the police on site at the school where the emergency is taking place.

BE PREPARED WITH YOUR PHOTO ID

• In the event of a school evacuation, Round Lake Area Schools will follow a standard reunification method to ensure students are safely returned to their families. The district will communicate the reunification site. During a reunification, families and/or individuals listed as an authorized person to pick up your child should do the following:
  • Bring valid form of identification (ID)
  • Follow signage and parking directions of the reunification location
  • Complete the provided reunification form
  • Provide school personnel at the check-in table with a valid form of photo ID and the completed reunification form
  • Wait patiently as a staff member retrieves and escorts your student to you. 
  • Please note that only approved adults with valid photo identification will be allowed to pick up students from the reunification location.

RLAS-116 abides by the Illinois School Safety Drill Act, which requires students to participate in four types of drills on an annual basis. They include school evacuation, bus evacuation, severe weather and lockdown during critical incidents. During the lockdown drill, the school district partners with law enforcement to teach students and staff how to respond to a critical incident, which is based on the ALICE principles (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) and the surrounding Police Departments. Our staff also periodically works with local law enforcement to conduct additional drills, during institute days when students are not in school.