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September 2, 2026

Safety Discussion

Ms. Maldonado, Principal at Holmes

Mr. Corona, Principal at Maercker

Dr. Scott, Principal at Westview Hills

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Safety Measures at Maercker District 60

• ROE Specialist Training: District administrators completed additional training with Regional Office of Education (ROE) specialists in 2022–2023, with ongoing follow-up learning.
• Annual First Responder Reviews: Administrators begin each school year reviewing emergency procedures with the Westmont and Willowbrook Fire and Police Departments
• Staff Active Threat Training: Local Police Departments conduct annual staff training on Run, Hide, Fight protocols
• Emergency Drills: Police and Fire Departments actively assist with safety drills (Fire, Evacuation, and inclement weather Drills).
• Year-Round Practice: Safety drills are conducted continuously throughout the school year
• Emergency Communication: District 60 utilizes a dedicated emergency response app for immediate internal staff communication.

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Emergency Communication with Parents & Community

• Our Priority: The safety and security of our students is always our highest priority.
• Timely Updates: Official communications will be sent out as soon as reliable information becomes available.
• How We Reach You: Messages will be sent via text message and email.
• Action Required: Please review and update your contact information in Skyward to ensure you receive urgent notifications.

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Building Safety & Facilities

• Standardized Crisis Vocabulary: Crisis response vocabulary aligned with DuPage County schools and first responders is posted in all classrooms.
• Criss response
• Window Security Film: Protective security support film is applied to all exterior entrance and exit doors.
• Locked Door Protocols: All exterior doors remain locked and monitored throughout the school day.
• Supervised Entrances: Staff members supervise all main entryways, with additional staff assigned outside during arrival and dismissal.
• Surveillance: Multiple cameras at primary entrance points feed live video directly to the main office
• Secure Access: Secure office entrances require keycard access to enter student areas.

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Safety Drills at Maercker District 60 School

• Fire Drills
• Run, Hide, Fight
• Bus Evacuation
• Severe Weather - Take shelter

Here is an Example of Our Communication with Police

Across the country, we are seeing incidents at schools where there have been lockdowns due to reports of threats, which include fake threats. A large number of parents are responding to those schools and demanding entry into the school.

We want you to know that the Westmont and Willowbrook Police Department trains in active threat response and we are prepared to quickly address threats at our schools.

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Daily Campus Operations & Visitor Security

• Visitor Screening: All visitors must enter through the main office and scan an ID through our visitor management system.
• Classroom Security: Classroom doors are kept locked during instruction, using magnetic strips for rapid securing if needed.
• Outdoor Communication: Staff carry two-way radios whenever students are outside.
• Student Dismissal: Students are only released to adults listed as approved emergency contacts in Skyward or with explicit written parent permission.
• Attendance Tracking: Staff take attendance both morning and afternoon (following lunch/recess).
• Digital Safety: Chromebook software allows monitoring of student internet history and active classroom screens.

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• Integrated SEL Instruction: Staff embed Illinois SEL Standards into daily instruction throughout the school year.
• Core SEL Topics: Recognizing emotions, coping strategies, body language, self-talk, and digital citizenship.
• PBIS Framework: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) matrix guides expectations.
• Positive Reinforcement: "Catching students being good" through PAWS behavioral recognitions, along with classroom, individual, and school-wide rewards.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Behavior

Why Parents Should Not Report directly to the School During an Active Emergency

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• Traffic Congestion: Added vehicle traffic blocks police, fire, and EMS vehicles, delaying critical emergency response times.
• Strict Lockdown Rules: During a lockdown, schools cannot admit parents due to safety protocols and the inability to verify identities immediately.
• Personal Risk: Individuals arriving on campus during an active threat put themselves in harm's way.
• Mistaken Identity Risk: First responders operating in an active threat situation cannot distinguish arriving parents from potential threats.
• Trust the Response: The safety of your children is our highest priority. Police will respond in full force—the best way you can help is to stand by for instructions regarding official reunification.

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Safe2Help

If you observe or hear about an unsafe situation, please report it immediately to a school staff member.

Students and families can also submit confidential tips 24/7 through Safe2Help Illinois:

• Phone: (844) 4-SAFE-IL / (844) 472-3345
• Text: SAFE2 (72332)
• Email: Help@Safe2HelpIL.com
• Online: Safe2HelpIL.com

Parent Resources

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How to Talk to your Children about Lockdown Drills

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Talking to Young Children about Emergency Drills

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