New Visitor Procedures at Hatch Elementary School

Starting Jan. 13, 2020, Hatch Elementary School will ask visitors to sign-in and present identification (such as a driver’s license) to be scanned into our new LobbyGuard digital visitor management system. This is a pilot program for the 2019-20 school year, so all other schools will continue to follow the procedures outlined in the District 97 Visitor Management Policy.

LobbyGuard is a self-serve kiosk that requires visitors to scan a valid driver's license prior to obtaining a badge to enter the school. Upon entry into the office, visitors will use the touch screen at the kiosk to enter information and scan their license. Using the information from a driver’s license or state identification card, the LobbyGuard system will check the scanned information against a national database of registered sex offenders, as well as school-entered information on individuals who are not allowed on building property. Once approved, visitors will obtain a visitor badge and lanyard from the office staff so all guests to the building are easily identified. Any visitor who is not wearing a badge will be escorted back to the front office. If you do not have a driver’s license, please bring another form of valid photo ID or visit ahead of time with the staff in the main office.

Our front office staff will keep either the driver's license or other identification of each visitor entering the school. All visitors must check out before exiting the building and retrieve their driver's license or other identification. LobbyGuard is currently in use at Oak Park and River Forest High School, so parents with students in both districts should be accustomed to the LobbyGuard process.  

This pilot program will also be implemented at Longfellow Elementary School on Monday, January, 27, 2020 and Julian Middle School on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. If you have further questions about LobbyGuard or the procedures, please view the FAQs below or reach out to a school employee.

LobbyGuard Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)