Annual Notice Regarding Safety Drills
West Chicago Community High School Communication
July 1, 2025
Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,
Illinois State schools are required to notify families and staff in advance of any upcoming evacuation or lockdown drills. You will receive an email and/or text message informing you that a drill is scheduled within the upcoming week.
Illinois School Safety Drill Act
- Evacuation Drills - 3 per year, whereby the West Chicago Fire Department must be present to observe and provide direction/feedback for one of the drills
- Bus Evacuation Drills - 1 per year in-conjunction with Contracted Bus Company
- Severe Weather/Shelter-in-Place Drills - 1 per year
- Law Enforcement Drills - 1 per year, whereby the West Chicago Police Department and/or other local municipalities must be present to observe.
These drills are designed to ensure that both students and staff are prepared in the event of an actual emergency. Please rest assured that the exercises are not intended to cause fear, but to provide a clear understanding of what actions to take in a safety situation. No props, actors, or simulated violent incidents will be involved in any drill.
We will also be discussing with students what to expect during these drills and why they are important. After each drill, you will receive a follow-up notification confirming that the drill has been completed.
If you have recently updated your contact information, please ensure the school has your current details on file to receive notifications.
Please see the attached Standard Response Protocol in the event of a safety-related incident and a description of specific actions or protocols that can be implemented during an incident.
Safety is always our top priority. Thank you for your partnership in keeping West Chicago Community High School safe.
Sincerely,
David Pater - Executive Director of Operations & Safety
Jenna Windt - Director of Culture & Climate