Skokie School District 73.5
Visitor Check-in Procedures
- All visitors will be required to produce a photograph ID (state ID or driver’s license).
- This ID will be reviewed by Raptor (see below), a visitor tracking system that allows the District to track visitors and protect our school community from people who may present a danger to students and staff.
- Visitors will exchange their ID for a lanyard which must be worn at all times while in the building.
- Visitors will return to the office at the end of their visit and exchange the lanyard for their ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Raptor?
Raptor is a visitor tracking system that allows the District to track visitors and protect our school community from people who may present a danger to students and staff.
Why is Skokie School District 73.5 using the Raptor system?
Student safety is our highest priority. Raptor will provide a consistent system to track visitors while keeping away people who present a danger to students and staff members. The system quickly prints visitor badges that include the visitor's name and photo and the time and date of the visit.
How does it work?
Raptor allows our staff to electronically scan a visitor's drivers’ license or state?issued identification card, compare information to registered sex offender (RSO) databases, alert school Administration if a match is found. If no match is found, staff will print a photo ID badge and attach it to a lanyard that the visitor must wear for the duration of the visit. The badge and the lanyard will allow staff to quickly identify visitors and distinguish them from District staff.
What information is scanned from the driver’s license?
Raptor scans only the visitor's name, date of birth, address, and photo for comparison to the RSO databases. The system also records the visitor's driver license number in the event law enforcement should need assistance in identifying a visitor to any of our schools. No additional information is collected and no data will be shared with any outside company or organization.
Is an ID card scan necessary each time a person comes in the building?
After the first time an ID is scanned, District personnel can quickly look up a visitor's first or last name in the system and use information from the previously scanned ID to sign the visitor in and print a visitor’s badge. Visitor information can be entered manually; however, future visits will also require manual data entry. It is not necessary to physically scan an ID into the system to check the registered sex offender database.
What if a visitor refuses to show identification or doesn’t have a government issued ID?
Visitors who do not produce acceptable ID must be personally verified by the specific staff member being visited, escorted by that staff member, and signed out of the building by that staff member at the end of the visit. All visitors are encouraged to obtain an Illinois State ID if they intend to visit District buildings (see www.cyberdriveillinois.com for information about obtaining an Illinois State ID).
Does the District have the right to require visitors, even parents, to produce identification before entering a school?
Yes. The District must be sure of who is at our buildings, why they are there, and to confirm that an individual has the authority to have access to the student.
Do registered sex offenders have a right to enter schools?
If a registered sex offender has a legitimate reason to be in a District building (e.g., visiting a legal dependent), and a court order does not prevent the person from visiting the child and/or the school, then yes, the law permits the person to enter a school. However, such individuals will only be given limited access. The District cannot deny an individual access to his/her own child. Schools can, however, deny access to other students.
Visitor Reminders: All visitors must check in at the main office during regular school hours for the continued safety and security of all district students and staff. Valid identification (driver’s license or state I.D.) should be available to present to office staff prior to entry approval. Once you receive your visitor’s pass, please restrict your movement in the building to your pre-arranged purpose. Visitors entering the building after hours must be escorted by a district staff member to and from their meeting location. Also important to remember, is that students have been directed never to open exterior doors for any visitors, known or unknown, during regular or after school hours. This policy is to limit the risk of any individual entering our building without checking in to receive proper approval. We continue to welcome visitors at each of our district buildings, but ask that you respect our safety procedures and policies.
