National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergency situations that could happen at any time. Throughout the month, we will share information on how the district prepares for and responds to emergencies, as well as some important tips and resources for families. If you have any questions or feedback, please reach out to the Operational Excellence Safety Team via Let's Talk.
- Week 1: How Does District 97 Prepare for Emergencies?
- Week 2: How Can You Prepare for Emergencies and Support School Safety?
Communicating Quickly, While Prioritizing Emergency Response
During an emergency situation, our first priority is the safety of our students and staff, however, we understand the importance of communicating information to the community as quickly as possible. If you see emergency responders at your child's school, please do not jump to conclusions or speculate. We will contact you if there is a safety incident.
The district has established strong communication systems between schools, leaders at central office, and the Oak Park police and fire departments in order to gather and confirm accurate information in a timely manner. We aim to provide as much detail as possible, however, we are sometimes limited in what we can share due to privacy laws or ongoing investigations.
We appreciate your patience as we work to verify information and coordinate our communication with emergency responders.
Email, Robocalls and Text Messages
For most safety incidents—such as fire alarms, medical emergencies or temporary holds, our schools will send an email notification once the situation has resolved.
For larger emergencies, or situations that require parents’ immediate response (i.e., early dismissal), District 97 or the school will send an email, robocall and text message. You must opt in to receive text messages by sending YES to 79041 or 87569 (if you opt into one number, it applies to both).
Social Media
Depending on the situation, District 97 will also post updates on social media (Facebook or X, formerly known as Twitter).
Information and rumors can spread quickly on social media, particularly in community Facebook groups. We ask that you support our emergency response efforts by only sharing official updates from District 97 sources (social media pages or our website) and refraining from spreading unconfirmed information.
Series adapted from Downers Grove School District 58.