Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness

To ensure safety during the school day, we have several measures in place:

• Locked exterior doors at all schools
• A single point of entry near each school’s main office
• A school visitor management protocol that registers and identifies all non-staff visitors
• An emergency communication system that links each school’s crisis team with the district office
• Interior and exterior security cameras that can be monitored by school administrators, law enforcement, and security personnel
• A School Resource Officer (a police officer from the City of West St. Paul) is also in our high school every day and assists at other schools as needed.

To ensure a coordinated and consistent response to different emergency situations, the district has adopted the “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Every year, students and staff are trained on the protocol.

The SRP is used in response to all hazards or emergencies, including severe weather and safety concerns inside or outside school buildings. It uses clear common language while allowing for flexibility. The premise is simple—there are five specific actions that can be performed during an incident: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter.

Signs detailing the protocol are posted in classrooms and in various common areas throughout our schools. Learn more about the five actions, what they mean, and when they might be used.

• Hold: A hold might be used if there is a medical emergency in the building or when we need to limit traffic in the hallways. Students will remain in their classrooms with doors locked, but class will continue as normal.
• Secure: The secure command is called if there is something potentially dangerous outside of the school or in a neighborhood close by. Students and staff will stay inside the building and doors will be locked, but inside the school it will be business as usual.
• Lockdown: A lockdown is only initiated when there is an active threat inside or very close to our school. Students and staff will remain locked in their classroom, out of sight, and maintain silence.
• Evacuate: We may need to evacuate if there is a fire or other hazardous situation that makes it unsafe to be in school. Students and staff will walk to - or be transported by bus - to a safe location and reunified with their families.
• Shelter: We may need to shelter if there is severe weather in our area. Students and staff will shelter in designated spaces within our building to maximize safety.

Drills are an essential way to prepare students and staff for an actual incident. Drills test procedures, build staff and student awareness, and provide training for students and staff.

Students in School District 197 participate in the following drills:

• Lockdown drills
• Fire drills
• Tornado drills

Minnesota Statutes require schools to conduct a minimum of five lockdown drills, five fire drills, and one tornado drill annually.

Please note: School District 197 does not practice active shooter simulations. The State of Minnesota requires five lockdown drills, five fire drills and a tornado drill each school year.

As part of its emergency planning, the district conducts evaluations of four areas of school crisis planning:

• Prevention
• Preparedness
• Response
• Recovery

Addressing these four areas reduces risk and improves school climate. Our work includes a variety of efforts, like:

• Internal evaluations of safety, security and emergency preparedness
• Enhanced collaboration between the school district and area public safety agencies
• Training for district employees
• School crisis plans
• Enhanced approaches to school emergency drills and exercises
• The District has a team of administrators and staff who meet regularly to discuss safety and security topics.

In the event of an emergency situation, please be assured that our district has an emergency management plan in place and that school, district, and emergency staff will respond accordingly. We need your support and ask that you rely on communications from the school district.

Before an Emergency

• Ensure that emergency contact information in Infinite Campus is accurate and current, including the name of the person authorized to pick up your student.
• Review the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) so you are families with the language that will be used in emergencies.

During an Emergency

• Stay Home: Staying away from the school site during an emergency is important so law enforcement and emergency responders can easily access the scene and respond to the situation. We know it is difficult to stay away from the school during an emergency, but we want the responders to be able to address the situation as easily as possible.
• Stay Informed: Refer to our communication systems for updates. We will utilize multiple channels to deliver accurate and timely information to you.
  • District website (www.isd197.org/update)
  • ParentSquare notifications via email, text message, phone calls
  • If necessary, local news outlets will be contacted and asked to help broadcast important information
• Be Ready: We will communicate updates as often as we are able. Please do not call the school. When phone lines are congested, it may impede emergency communications. We kindly ask that you also refrain from calling or texting your student, as doing so may put them in danger. Staff will let children know when it is safe to call or text and will direct them to do so. If there is a reunification needed, please be ready to pick up your child/children with a photo ID. More on that below.
• Be Cautious of What Information You Share: Please don't share information on social media unless it comes from the district directly. Rumors spread very quickly and frequently cause unnecessary panic and alarm.

After an Emergency

• If reunification is necessary, you will be directed to the reunification site, and you will need photo identification.
• Please be aware that reunification can be time-consuming, and we appreciate your patience.

In an emergency, School District 197 will notify affected parents/guardians and staff through ParentSquare via email, text, and/or phone call. To receive these messages, please ensure your contact information—especially your mobile number—is current in Infinite Campus.

• Update your info through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
• For help updating contact details, contact your school’s front office.
• If you need help accessing your Parent Portal account, please complete this form.

Why You May Hear About an Emergency Before We Send a Message

During a school emergency, unofficial information often spreads quickly (e.g., via student texts or social media). Our goal is to send timely, accurate information—but here’s what happens behind the scenes before we hit send:

• We confirm facts to avoid sharing inaccurate or incomplete details. Every situation is different, and safety is our first priority.
• We follow privacy laws and, at times, may be limited in what we can share—especially during an active investigation.
• We activate multiple communication channels—email, text, phone, and our district website—to ensure families get reliable information directly from us.

Note: We generally do not post emergency updates to social media, as platform algorithms limit reach. Direct channels like the district website and ParentSquare are the most dependable way to receive updates.

Circumstances may occur at a school that require parents/guardians to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release. This process is called a “reunification” and may be necessary due to severe weather, a power outage, or if a crisis occurs at the school. The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. Because a reunification is not a typical end of school day event, a reunification may occur at a different location than the school a student attends. If this location is another school, then those students may be subject to a controlled release as well. ​​

Notification
Families will be notified of a reunification situation via ParentSquare phone messages, text messages, and emails from the district. Information will also be posted on our district website.

Reunification Expectations
When picking up your child at a reunification site:

• Bring a valid, state-issued ID.
• Students will only be released to individuals previously identified as their emergency contact.
• Be patient. Reunification is a process that protects student safety and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to a recognized custodial parent or guardian. It will take some time.

What if a parent can’t pick up their student?
When a parent can’t immediately go to the reunification site, students will only be released to individuals previously identified as the student’s emergency contact. Otherwise, the school will hold the student (s) until parents can pick them up.