Sward School Stages Evacuation and Reunification Drill

"This is the first drill of its kind for District 123...practicing our entire emergency procedure from crisis to reunification served as an incredible teaching and learning opportunity..."

Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123’s Sward Elementary school staged an evacuation and reunification drill on Wednesday, May 28th to test emergency preparedness in the event of a building based crisis. Staff from District 123, in partnership with the Oak Lawn Police Department and Oak Lawn Park District helped the school implement this full scale exercise. Approximately 400 students were initially evacuated from Sward school and later transported to the Oak Lawn Pavilion to be reunified with their families. Additionally, District 123 tested the actual reunification process and dispatched 30 Sward families to pick up their children from the Oak Lawn Pavilion.

“This is the first drill of its kind for District 123 and many neighboring school districts. Practicing our entire emergency procedure from crisis to reunification served as an incredible teaching and learning opportunity for our entire school community,” said Dr. Paul Enderle, District 123 Superintendent of Schools.

In addition to building leaders from each District 123 school, neighboring school districts and police departments were invited to observe the mock event. Over 20 school administrators and police officials observed as students were reunited with their families. At the conclusion, school administrators were debriefed and had the opportunity to share their observations with each other and District 123.
 
The drill is part of District 123’s ongoing commitment to school safety and emergency preparedness. The training helped District staff, students and community partners practice and improve upon emergency plans and procedures that would be carried out in the unlikely event of an actual emergency.

To view full photo gallery, please visit:  http://goo.gl/stzOIp