The Weekly
Elizabeth Ide Elementary School
A Message from your Principal, Katie Johnson
Dear Families,
The safety of our students is our top priority. We practice various safety drills throughout the year as an essential part of keeping our students safe in the event of an emergency. We conduct several different safety drills in our schools that are intended to help our staff and students know how to respond to a specific type of emergency. You are encouraged to talk to your children about safety drills at home to reinforce what is taught at school. It is important for our students to understand that these drills are necessary for us to keep them safe. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us to keep our students safe by talking to your children about safety drills. Over the course of the next few weeks, I will highlight the various types of drills we practice at school.
This week, I would like to share information as it relates to Run/Hide/Fight. It is my goal to equip you with the knowledge and information so you are able to support your child as you see best. Run/Hide/Fight is a nationally recognized model for responding to a threat and/or active shooter inside the building. It is a three-step approach CCSD66 is prepared to utilize if ever necessary.
Run: If you can safely evacuate the building, do so immediately. Do not wait for permission from an adult. Help others escape, if possible, but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow.
Hide: If you cannot safely evacuate, find a place to hide where you are out of sight of the threat and/or active shooter. Make sure your hiding place is secure and that you can quickly leave if necessary. Stay quiet and do not move until you are sure it is safe to do so.
Fight: If you are cornered by the threat and/or active shooter and have no other option, fight back to defend yourself and others. It is important to note that fighting should be a last resort. It is only recommended if your life is in immediate danger. Due to the age level of our students, we do not practice this as part of our drill.
How to talk to your children about Run/Hide/Fight?
It is important to talk to your children about Run/Hide/Fight in a way that is age-appropriate and reassuring. Let them know that you are always there to protect them, but that it is important for them to know what to do if they are ever in a dangerous situation.
Here are some tips for talking to your children about Run/Hide/Fight:
Choose a time to talk when you and your child will not be interrupted.
Explain the Run/Hide/Fight concept in simple terms.
Reassure your child that we are doing everything we can to keep them safe.
Let your child know that it is okay to be scared, but that they need to stay calm and listen to your instructions.
Remind your child that we will practice the Run/Hide/Fight steps in school.
When we talk to our students about this drill, we refrain from words such as "bad guys" or "guns". We explain that sometimes there are dangerous situations where we need to know how to stay safe. We may need to run or hide, and as a last result fight. We let our students know that the adults will provide help and guidance so your children know exactly what to do in the event of a dangerous situation.
Illinois public schools are required to conduct one law enforcement drill, which must be completed when students are present within the first 90 days of school. On Wednesday, September 27th, we will conduct our law enforcement drill, which will include the HIDE portion of this drill. Our staff and teachers will review the procedures in advance and students will be notified over the announcements that this is a drill. We appreciate you taking time to talk to your children about our safety drills, and thank you for your support as we work collaboratively to keep us all safe.
Thank you.
Katie Johnson
Principal
Technology Support
If you or your child needs help with any CCSD66 related technology (iPads, Chromebooks, CCSD66 email etc) please use this link: CCSD66 Remote Tech Support Request to submit a request, and a member of the technology department will get in contact with you ASAP. All requests are handled in the order that they are received.
Upcoming Events at Elizabeth Ide Elementary School
Lunch and Recess Volunteers
PTO Message
It is that SPOOKTACULAR time of year! IDE & Prairieview PTO’s are teaming up again for a hauntingly good time at our TRUNK or TREAT!
When: Friday, 10/20
Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Where: Prairieview Parking Lot
*NEW THIS YEAR - PUNCH CARDS - Each Trunk or Treater will have a punch card. When a child visits a trunk, the trunk will punch their card and then give them their treat. At the end of the line, each child can enter their punch card in a raffle for a chance for a prize. We hope this method prevents children from visiting trunks multiple times for treats and that we will have enough candy/prizes for everyone.
TRUNK sign up: Sign up here to DECORATE your TRUNK and hand out treats/prizes: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FACAA2AA4FD0-44470550-beatrunk#/
CANDY Donation sign up: If you can drop off the CANDY at either IDE or PV's front offices from now until 10/18- it would be greatly appreciated. Please nothing: loose, opened, expired, or used. Thank you! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45A5A62AA7FEC16-44478847-trunk
Volunteer sign up: We are looking for Volunteers to help support our Event. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45A5A62AA7FEC16-44478454-trunk
TICKETS for Trunk or Treat: Ordering link will be available on 10/1 - be on the lookout!