Emergency Procedures

As a parent or guardian, we understand your concern for your student during an emergency situation. Avoid the rumor mill.  With Social Media and other emerging technologies, false information is easily spread.  JTHS has several tools in place to communicate accurate emergency information.  Please use the communication tools listed below before jumping to conclusions.  JTHS is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy environment for your student and believes in immediate and effective communication.

• JTHS Web site: Visit our Web site www.jths.org to obtain emergency information.  In the case of an emergency, information will be posted after emails, texts, and phone calls have been delivered.
   
• Automated Phone Messenger System: JTHS will communicate emergency information using our Automated Phone Messenger System through ParentSquare.  The system allows us to deliver a phone message and text to parents, guardians, and staff.
   
• Text & Email: JTHS uses the ParentSquare Communication System to communicate to students, families, and staff.
   
• Social Media: Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.  Emergency information will be sent out using these tools.

Safety is our top priority at Joliet Township High School.  Classroom response to an incident is critical in creating a safer school environment.  This is why JTHS has implemented the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which we are communicating during School Safety Awareness Week.  
 
What is Standard Response Protocol (SRP)? 
Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is the standard language used by all responders, including students, families, staff, and first responders.  It defines the language and tactics for response to weather events, fires, accidents, intruders, and other threats to personal safety. View the Standard Response Protocol Video for specifics. 
 
SRP – Everyone on the Same Page 
By standardizing the vocabulary, everyone involved can understand the response and status of the event, so we are all on the same page when it comes to the incident response.  For students, this provides expectations and actions. For teachers & staff, this becomes a simpler process to train and drill. For families, this provides an understanding of the response and status of the event.  For first responders, the common vocabulary and protocols establish a greater predictability that persists through the duration of an incident.

Five Actions of SRP

 

 

 

 

Standard Response Protocol is based on five actions: HOLD, SECURE, LOCKDOWN, EVACUATE, and SHELTER. Each has specific staff and student directives that are unique to the action.  Families – We ask that you do not call or go to the school during any of the five actions listed below unless otherwise directed. JTHS will communicate with you once we have more information to share. Reliable information and updates can be viewed on the district website and will be delivered through our ParentSquare mass communication delivery platform. Information pertaining to each of the five SRP actions is below. 
 
HOLD in Place and Teach! In your room or area.  Clear the halls. 
When is HOLD in Place and Teach used?  A hold is typically used when we want to keep the hallways clear in the building. For example, this could be for a medical emergency, a physical altercation, or an isolated maintenance issue.  
Students are trained to: 

• Clear the hallways & remain in their area until the “All Clear” is announced 

• Do business as usual – Teaching continues 

Adults are trained to: 

• Close and lock the door 

• Account for students & adults 

• Do business as usual – Teaching continues 

SECURE in Place and Teach! Get inside. Lock Outside Doors. 
When is SECURE used? SECURE is used when there is an incident off campus but near the school.  Examples include a police incident/investigation near the school, or an individual deemed as dangerous near the school. 
Students are trained to: 

• Return to inside of building 

• Do business as usual – Teaching continues 

Adults are trained to: 

• Bring everyone indoors 

• Lock outside doors 

• Increase situational awareness 

• Account for students and adults 

• Do business as usual – Teaching continues 

LOCKDOWN! Locks, lights, out of site. 
When is LOCKDOWN used? LOCKDOWN is used when there is a credible threat on campus or adjacent to the campus.   
Students are trained to:

• Move away from sight 

• Maintain silence 

• Do not open the door 

Adults are trained to: 

• Recover students from the hallway if possible 

• Lock the classroom door 

• Turn out the lights 

• Move away from sight 

• Maintain silence 

• Do not open the door 

• Prepare to evade or defend  

EVACUATE! (A location may be specified)  
When is EVACUATE used? EVACUATE is used when there is a credible reason to vacate the building.  Examples include a fire, hazardous material, and instances where the building is deemed to be unsafe. 
Students are trained to: 

• Leave stuff behind if possible 

• If possible, bring your phone 

• Follow instructions 

Adults are trained to: 

• Lead students to evacuation location 

• Account for students and adults 

• Notify if missing, extra or injured students or adults 

SHELTER! Hazard & Safety Strategy 
When is SHELTER used? SHELTER is used for hazards.  Students use the appropriate safety strategy for each hazard and adults lead the safety strategy while accounting for students and adults.  Hazards the associated safety strategies include: 

•  Tornado: Evacuate to shelter area 

•  Hazmat: Seal the room 

•  Earthquake: Drop, cover, and hold 

•  Tsunami: Get to high ground 

Student and Parent/Guardian Reunification 
Events may occur at school that require parents/guardians to pick up their students in a controlled release. The controlled release process is called reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, a hazmat issue, or a crisis at the school. Student and Parent Reunification is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. Because a controlled release is not a typical end-of-school day event, reunification may occur at a different location than the school a student attends.  We will communicate the unification information using our mass communication system.  Please do not drive directly to the school unless the emergency communication message asks you to do so. 

JTHS believes in a proactive approach to school security.  Parents and students can contribute greatly to school security and safety.  Please call the School Violence Tip Line at 1-800-477-0024 if you know of a security or safety issue. This is a way for students and parents to anonymously alert school officials of threats of violence in school.