Emergency Closing of School
Should severe weather require the closing of school or make it impossible for buses to operate, the Honeywell Instant Alert notification system will be utilized (https://instantalert.honeywell.com). Please be sure you are registered. You may also listen for an announcement from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on the following radio stations: WGN (720 AM), and WBBM (780 AM); and the following TV stations: CBS, ABC, NBC, WGN, FOX and CLTV News. Our official title is Lake Forest School District 67. You can also check your local school's message machine, the district's main phone line (847-234-6010), the district website, or www.EmergencyClosings.com.

 

Honeywell Instant Alert
General Information and Instructions to Update Your Instant Alert Profile

The Honeywell Instant Alert notification system is the primary means of notification by the district and will be utilized should severe weather require the closing of school, or a late start. An alert will be sent to either your home phone number, OR the primary phone number you have registered with the district.* If you wish to receive notification using other devices (cell phone, email, etc.), you must update your profile by logging into the Honeywell Instant Alert website:  https://instantalert.honeywell.com. (For instructions to update your profile, click on one of the links below.) You can log onto your profile at any time to update your contact information.  Maintaining the accuracy of your profile will increase the ability of the school to keep you informed.

 

Instant Alert Instructions - Parents


Instant Alert Instructions - Staff

 

If you are not receiving your alerts, or have questions about Instant Alert, please email: InstantAlertHelp@Honeywell.com or contact your school office.

 

* PLEASE NOTE: Instant Alert will leave a message only if your phone answering system picks up on or before the fifth ring.  Instant Alert will attempt to reach phone number contacts a maximum of five times.

 

Fire and Disaster Drills
In the interest of safety, the students of our schools practice drills of two distinct types. Early in the year forewarned fire drills are held, followed by periodic "surprise" drills. A disaster drill, with a signal distinctly different from that of the fire drill, is planned to meet an emergency created by a natural or man-made disaster. This type of drill is utilized when there is a civil defense alert drill.

 

Emergency Operations Plan

The safety of the students and staff in our school environment is a top priority in Lake Forest. In April of 2000, District 67 adopted a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan. We prepared this plan with the assistance of police and fire personnel, district emergency teams, as well as outside consultants. Periodically, school administrators, faculty, and support staff meet to review procedures and make additional preparations and adjustments to ensure preparedness.

 

The emergency operations plan details the action that will be taken during critical incidents affecting our students, staff and facilities. The District 67 plan delineates three levels of response, which allows administration and staff members to know whether to standby or take action depending on the severity and proximity of the problem. There are also three basic responses in which staff members have been trained. These are:

 

  • Shelter-in-place – Measures would be taken to protect students and staff within the building should there be an emergency, which involves an occurrence outside the building, such as a weather emergency or hazardous materials situation.

  • Building or Classroom Lockdown – Lockdown is a measure to protect students and staff from internal or external threats by excluding or isolating the threat. This option requires the ability to quickly secure classrooms, exterior doors and the school facility. The integrity of the structure of the building would not be in question.

  • Building Evacuation – If an emergency situation involving one of our buildings would occur, (i.e., fire, gas leak or other incident rendering the structure unsafe) we would evacuate all students and staff from the facility. Designated safe areas have been pre-established with primary and secondary site locations.

 

In the event of an emergency we want to let you know how to access information. Please review this information, and if your child is at school, follow these guidelines:

 

  1. Our first priority is assuring the safety and security of your children. Please do not call the school. Incoming calls may tie up emergency phone lines. Please do not come to school. This could inhibit our efforts to respond to the situation. The Instant Alert communication system will be initiated at the earliest possible opportunity to inform you of the emergency.

  2. If the emergency is of an area-wide nature, tune into local radio (WGN 720 AM, WBBM 780 AM) and television stations (CBS, ABC, NBC, WGN, FOX and CLTV News). The media, district website, and Instant Alert will be activated for communication.

 

Thank you for your cooperation as we take precautionary actions on behalf of our school community. Ultimately, the best preparation is a well-informed community and coordinated response.

 

Additional information on emergency preparedness can be found at the following websites:

 

American Red Cross

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency