GENERAL DISTRICT POLICIES, continued

EMERGENCY CLOSING

Weather conditions sometimes make it necessary to close school for the day. If bad weather occurs before school starts in the morning, the District office will notify Rochelle WRHL radio station and WIFR-TV in Rockford before 7:30 A.M. Please do not call the office.

If the bad weather develops during the school day, school will be closed after considering the safety and welfare of the students. Notification of such closing will be done by way of the WRHL radio station and WIFR-TV in Rockford. The Superintendent will ensure that suitable arrangements have been made for the children’s safety. If there is a possibility of bad weather, parents should make every effort to be reachable by phone. If parents plan to be out of the home or away from their normal work, they should notify the school so that the school can find them in case of an emergency. The bus driver will ascertain that each rider enters his/her home.

FIRE AND TORNADO DRILLS/PROCEDURES

The Illinois School Code requires that schools hold at least three fire drills with full participation each school year. The first is held during the first week of school. Teachers explain the proper procedures for each classroom, and directives are posted by each classroom door.

Tornado procedures are established and practiced in the school building. If there is a tornado watch in effect, the school will dismiss at the regular time. In the event of a tornado warning, children will complete the regular tornado drill procedure and remain in school (in their tornado drill positions) until an all-clear has been reported. If any parent wishes to pick up his/her child during a tornado warning, they may do so, but we ask that the teacher/office be informed. We need to know where all the children are at all times.

District #161 participates in the state-wide tornado drill test in April of each year.

GUN-FREE SCHOOLS ACT

Pursuant to the federal Gun-Free Schools Act, it is the policy of the Board of Education to expel from school for one year any student who brings a weapon to school. Weapons are considered to be firearms as defined in the Regulations implementing this policy. The Superintendent may recommend to the Board of Education modification of this expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis, and students eligible for special education and related services shall be considered for expulsion pursuant to the procedures adopted by the Board of Education as recommended by the advisory committee.

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