EPCUSD 401 Update
Updated Information for D401 Stakeholders
March 12, 2023
Good Afternoon District 401 Stakeholders,
We know there are a lot of concerns and questions about what happened on Monday, March 6 at Elmwood Park High School. We are committed to a safe school environment that protects our students and staff. This week, we will be reviewing, reinforcing and, when necessary, enhancing, the many existing processes and procedures that support our ability to respond to crises and emergencies in a timely and responsible manner. We will use community, staff and student input about last week’s incident to strengthen and improve our communications protocols to ensure that we provide all stakeholders with timely and transparent information to the best of our ability.
The information below seeks to answer those questions as best we can at this time, while respecting the integrity of the multiple ongoing investigations into this matter, including those being conducted by law enforcement and the District, for these reasons we are not using the names of anyone involved.
The following events occurred on March 6 and many happened simultaneously. The ongoing school/district/police investigations are not addressed in these events; as they are currently still in process.
Ongoing District Investigations
Starting Wednesday, March 8 - Investigation of an EPHS staff member involved with the serious incident who was allegedly put at risk.
Starting Thursday, March 9 - Investigation into allegations of misconduct by the same EPHS staff member following the serious incident.
What to Expect Monday, March 13 at Elmwood Park High School
Tomorrow, EPHS we will operate on a modified schedule with a 12:45 p.m. early release time for students. The day’s activities are structured in rotations throughout the day to allow to begin healing and processing last week’s events, including:
Restorative circles for students to provide social-emotional support and build understanding of how trauma and traumatic experiences affect individuals and communities.
Decompression: Quiet time for individual and small reflection to process last week’s incident.
Safety Training: Presentation co-led by the Elmwood Park and River Grove Police Departments to reinforce our “See Something, Say Something” reporting protocol.
Frequently-Asked Questions: Review and discussion of the District’s response to student, staff and community questions from the past week. (Linked below)
Study Hall: Independent time for students to work on homework, school projects, etc.
Districtwide staff members will also be provided with dedicated time for reflection and decompression during the early release time.
As there was last week, there will be an increased police presence throughout EPHS school this week.
DETAILS OF MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2023
Staff X reported to Dean A that Student 1 reported that Student 2 said that Student 3 told them that they had a gun.
Dean A reported the information shared by Staff X to Dean B.
Dean B reported this information to School Administrator A and School Administrator B.
The School Administrator A and School Administrator B considered a lockdown but determined not to put the school on lockdown due to two main factors:
It was a passing period.
Student 3 was entering the Cafeteria, where there were approximately 250 students at that time.
The School Administrator A and School Administrator B told Dean B to escort Student 3 to the office.
Dean A walks towards the Cafeteria.
Dean B leaves the Main Office to find Dean A, and walks to the Cafeteria to locate Student 3.
Along the way, Dean B motioned for the School Security Personnel A to follow them.
Both Deans and the School Security Personnel A saw Staff Y in the Cafeteria and asked about the location of Student 3.
Staff Y stated Student 3 was in the bathroom across from the Cafeteria.
Dean B entered the bathroom, located Student 3 and cleared out the other students that were in the bathroom.
Dean A and School Security Personnel A remained in the hallway outside of the bathroom.
Dean B walked out of the bathroom with Student 3 to accompany him to the office.
Student 3 changed his direction and Dean B followed. They both then proceeded through the corner of the Cafeteria and into the Large Group Instruction Room, then out the West Entrance of the Large Group Instruction Room. Meanwhile, Dean A waited near the West Entrance to the Large Group Instruction Room.
Student 3 then proceeded to Door 3, exited the building and started to run north on Erie Street towards Grand Avenue.
School Administrator A was on the phone with the Elmwood Park Police Department School Resource Officer (SRO) and providing updates as the SRO was en route to the building.
Dean B called 911 to report that Student 3 left the building, was potentially carrying a weapon and provided a description of the student. 911 dispatch informed Dean B that they had been aware of the incident and had officers en route to Elmwood Park High School.
The River Grove and Elmwood Park Police Departments worked together to locate and apprehend Student 3.
Police recovered Student 3’s bag, which he discarded after leaving the building. The bag contained a weapon.
EVENTS FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT ON MARCH 6
Monday, March 6:
Ongoing EPHS and District communication and collaboration with the Police, including interviews for their investigation:
In-person interviews with students.
It was reported that Student 3 had asked a staff member questions about school shootings that morning, which was not disclosed until interviews began.
All-staff meeting at EPHS to discuss the day’s events.
Initial EPHS parent communication regarding the event sent via email.
Throughout the Week:
Ongoing collaboration and debriefing with both Elmwood Park and River Grove police departments regarding the events and updates.
Increased police presence district wide from Elmwood Park and River Grove Police Departments.
Multiple communications with EPHS parents, staff and students regarding what was known about the day’s serious incident and the District’s response.
Student meetings to discuss the event and address concerns that were shared with school administration.
Thursday, March 9:
EPHS students announced a planned walkout for Friday, March 10 to express concerns about the March 6 incident.
Late Thursday evening, a student discovers a social media post regarding an alleged threat of a school shooting during the 10:00 a.m. planned student walkout and reports this threat to EPHS and District Administration and the Elmwood Park Police.
Elmwood Park Administration also reports this information to Elmwood Park Police.
Elmwood Park Police begin investigating this potential threat.
Friday, March 10:
In an abundance of precaution, EPHS was placed on an e-learning day due to the above mentioned social media threat. This decision was made early Friday morning as the Elmwood Park Police investigation was not fully concluded at that time.
The Elmwood Park Police Department subsequently determined that the social media threat to the Friday student walkout was unfounded.
Students gathered outside of EPHS at 12:10 p.m. to voice their concerns over the March 6 incident.
Moving Forward:
In collaboration with River Grove and Elmwood Park Police Departments, we have determined a path forward as a result of the serious incident that occurred on Monday, March 6.
Collectively, as we move forward District 401 will provide students, staff and administrators with additional training on safety and communication protocols, while continuing to provide social-emotional support.
What We Currently Do and Will Continue to Do:
Mandated training, including lockdowns and drills for scenarios such as active shooter, fire, tornado, bus evacuation, and shelter-in-place.
Threat assessment training in identifying, assessing and managing potentially dangerous or violent situations.
Restorative practices to foster an equitable and positive school culture.
Yearly student and parent safety presentations on topics such as school safety, social media and social-emotional well-being
Yearly safety meeting with police and fire departments from River Grove and Elmwood Park to review safety procedures and protocols.
Annual Crisis Prevention Institute initial training and retraining provided by certified Crisis Prevention Trainers.
District student and staff discipline protocols have been and are being implemented based on progressive discipline.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gauthier
Dr. Leah Gauthier, EPCUSD 401 Superintendent of Schools
Website: https://www.epcusd401.org/
Location: 8201 West Fullerton Avenue, Elmwood Park, IL, USA
Twitter: @epcusd401