SCHOOL SAFETY

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!

School safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Parents, staff, and students are encouraged to report suspicious activity to school administration and/or local police.

SAFETY DRILLS

The safety of our students and staff is very important to us. In order to maintain a safe environment to learn and work, it is necessary that we practice our emergency and crisis response plans by having drills designed to exercise our procedures.

These safety drills are not intended to frighten anyone. Their purpose is to ensure that all students and staff know what to do in the event of an actual emergency. Drills will never include props, actors, or simulations of violence. Before each drill, staff talk with students about what to expect and why these practices are important. After every drill (except fire drills), families will receive a follow-up notification confirming that the drill took place.

Please remember that these safety practice drills are done to help maintain the safety of our school. If you have any questions regarding any of these Safety Drills or other safety concerns, please contact your school's principal or assistant principal.

Whitnall students and staff practice 5 primary safety drills each year. Each type of drill is explained below.

EVACUATE/FIRE DRILLS

The school will conduct a “evacuate/fire drill” each month that school is in session. This is a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requirement per Wisconsin state statute 118.07. We want each student to understand and be aware of the importance of this drill and not be afraid when the fire alarm is sounded. By practicing they will know what to do and how to do it.

HOLD DRILLS

The school will conduct one “hold drill” at the beginning of each school year. A "hold" is used when the hallways in the school need to remain clear. Classroom learning will still take place as normal during this drill, but students may not be able to change classes until after the "hold" has been lifted. For example, medical issues may require keeping students out of the halls so outside medical assistance can be provided and easily move through the hallways. During this drill no one will be allowed to enter the building unless administration directs otherwise.

SECURE DRILL

The school will conduct a “secure drill" twice throughout the school year. This type of drill requires any staff and students outside of the building to return inside the building and to make sure all entrances to the building are secure. During this drill no one is allowed to enter or exit the building without administrative approval. While this drill is being conducted, students and staff are free to go about their regularly scheduled day. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students safe from any dangers outside of the building / neighboring vicinity.

LOCKDOWN DRILL

The school will conduct a "lockdown drill" twice throughout the school year. This type of drill requires staff to immediately close and lock their classroom doors; direct students to the safety wall in the classroom (an area in the room that is not visible to anyone outside the room in the hallway); turn off the classroom lights; and remain silent. The purpose of this drill is to keep the students and staff safe from any dangers / threats that are present in the building.

SHELTER DRILL

PARTNERSHIPS

Whitnall School District is proud to partner with the Franklin Police Department, Greenfield Police Department, and Hales Corners Police Department to ensure a safe learning environment for all of our staff and students. The following safety plans and practices are in place:

School Resource Officer provided through collaboration with Greenfield Police. The SRO is stationed at Whitnall High School but also responds to Whitnall Middle School.
DARE is provided through collaboration with Hales Corners Police. DARE is offered at both Edgerton Elementary and Hales Corners Elementary.
District representatives meet regularly with Greenfield Police to ensure that our procedures are up-to-date. We also regularly provide professional development to staff to prepare them for potential crisis situations.
Safety plans are reviewed and approved by the Whitnall Board of Education.
All required safety drills are completed annually.
Per Wisconsin Statute 118.07, ACT 309, each school maintains records of every fire, tornado, and safety drill. As of November 2019, the school board receives a monthly report of drills.
All external doors are locked during the school day and main entrances feature a monitored buzzer system for visitors.
A visitor registration process is used at each building. All visitors are required to show ID and meet guidelines in order to enter the building.
Security cameras are used in each building.
Background checks are required for all volunteers working with students.

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