Emergency Communications
During an emergency, timely and accurate communication with families is an important part of our response.
Skokie School District 73.5 and our schools use several communication methods to keep families informed. The method and timing of communication may vary depending on the situation and the information available.
How We Will Communicate
During an emergency, our website and phone notifications are our primary communication channels. Families may also receive information by text message and email.
The district's notification system uses the contact information provided by families during registration and maintained in our student information system. Depending on the situation, you may receive:
- Phone calls, including recorded automated messages
- Text messages
- Email messages
Important updates may also be posted on this website. During an emergency, families should monitor district communications above and our website for the most current information available. During an emergency, you will see banner alerts across all areas of the website directing you to the correct location for the most current information about that event.
Keep Your Contact Information Current
Our ability to reach you depends on having accurate and complete contact information.
Families can review their contact information through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, also located under the Families section of our website.
Please make sure your phone numbers and email addresses are current and that all appropriate parents or guardians are included.
If information is missing or incorrect, or you need assistance reviewing your information, please contact your school's front office.
Emergency Notifications
Families should ensure that phone and text notifications remain enabled for emergency messages. Emergency communications may be delivered differently from routine district messages, and your notification preferences can affect how you receive certain communications.
Keeping your contact information current remains important even if you typically choose not to receive other district messages.
During an Emergency
We understand that families will want information quickly when something is happening at their child's school. Our priority is first ensuring the safety of students and staff and coordinating the appropriate response.
During an emergency, families can help by:
- Monitor district communications. Watch for phone calls, text messages, emails, and updates to the district or school website.
- Avoid calling the school unless necessary. A high volume of incoming calls can interfere with staff members who are responding to the situation.
- Do not come to the school unless directed. Depending on the situation, arriving at the school may interfere with emergency responders or established safety procedures.
- Follow instructions provided by the district. If families need to take action, including picking up a student from another location, we will provide instructions as soon as we are able to do so.
- Avoid relying on rumors or unofficial information. Information can spread quickly during an emergency. Please rely on communications directly from the district, school, or appropriate public safety agencies.
When a School Is in SECURE or LOCKDOWN
If you receive a message that a school has entered Secure or Lockdown, please do not come to the school unless the district specifically directs you to do so.
A SECURE action is used when there is a potential threat or hazard outside the school building. Students and staff remain inside while exterior access to the school is restricted.
A LOCKDOWN action is used when there is a potential threat or hazard inside the school building. Students and staff follow established safety procedures while emergency responders and school personnel address the situation.
The district will provide families with additional information as it becomes available and when it is appropriate to do so.
Learn more about the Standard Response Protocol and the safety actions used in our schools.
Information During an Active Situation
We are committed to sharing information with families as quickly as we reasonably can. During an active emergency, however, there may be times when information is limited, still being verified, or cannot yet be shared without affecting the safety of students, staff, or emergency responders.
An initial message may therefore contain only the information families need to know at that time. We will provide additional updates as reliable information becomes available.
