The Hudson School District is committed to providing a safe learning environment for students, staff, and visitors. Maintaining a safe school environment is the responsibility of our entire school community, including families. Crisis prevention, preparedness, and response protocols are necessary for creating a healthy school climate, reducing vulnerabilities, preventing risks, and mitigating injuries or damage during a crisis. A well informed and trained staff can remain calm, understand their role, and act as safely and efficiently as possible in a crisis situation.
Speak Up Speak Out – School Threat Tip Line
The State of Wisconsin’s Office of School Safety provides a 24/7 tip line for reporting potential harm or criminal activities directed at schools, students, and or staff. The Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO) School Resource Center is set up to respond confidentially and quickly. The tip line is not just for threats to do harm to schools. Tips are also made regarding daily concerns students encounter such as bullying, drug use, self-harm, suicidal thoughts and more. The Hudson School District is part of the SUSO network.
Most tips fall into one of three categories:
- A classmate is being bullied or bullying someone else.
- A classmate might hurt themselves.
- A classmate might hurt others.
We all play a vital role in creating safe schools and communities. Anyone can submit a tip. Tips are received by a trained resource center staff who pass appropriate information on to local law enforcement and schools. We want people who see something to say something. SUSO allows us as a school community to keep each other safe, address concerns about someone’s safety, and help get the support needed to resolve concerns.
We encourage student and families to contact their building administrator or SUSO of any threats to do harm to a school.
Crisis Response Protocols
The Hudson School District follows the Standard Response Protocols developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation, U. S. Department of Homeland Security National Threat Assessment Center, and the WI Department of Justice Office of School Safety.
- Hold – During a hold, students and staff remain in their classroom or area until given an all-clear. A hold is called if there is a medical emergency, temporary maintenance issue, or other concern that is not a threat. Students and staff are safe. Passing through hallways is stopped so the incident can be addressed without interruption.
- Secure – A secure is called when a threat or hazard exists outside the school. This may be due to criminal activity in the neighborhood, a dangerous animal near school grounds, or a civil disturbance. Students and staff are safe. The school is secured, and any outdoor activities are moved inside. School continues as scheduled. However, no visitors are allowed into the school, and students/staff are not allowed to leave the school. Please note: signs will be placed on the doors, and you cannot enter the school, even if you have a previously scheduled appointment to pick up your child. Families will be contacted to let them know if there is a need for family reunification (child pick-up) if it is unsafe for children to walk home or ride the bus.
- Lockdown – A lockdown is called when there is a threat on school grounds or in the building. Students and staff remain in locked areas until law enforcement has deemed the area safe. Students and staff are released by law enforcement. Family reunification is likely to take place at an alternate location. Families are asked to wait for instructions from the School District. Coming to the school may interfere with law enforcement as they respond to the incident.
- Evacuate – This is most typically the result of a fire alarm. Other reasons for evacuating the building may include a gas leak or bomb threat. The School District will communicate the situation with families and let them know if there is a need to pick-up their children.
- Shelter – In the event of severe weather, students and staff may need to take shelter in designated areas of the school. Families will be notified if there is concern for the ongoing safety of students and staff. Family reunification (child pick-up) may be necessary.
How can families help?
- Ensure your family’s contact information is up to date in Skyward Family Access.
- All alerts are sent to families using ParentSquare (email, phone, text, and app).
- Refrain from calling or rushing to your child’s school until you have received directions from the School District. There are circumstances where family reunification may take place at an alternate location. The School District will provide you with the location. For the safety of students and staff, this location is not shared in advance.
- Parents should bring identification to the Family Reunification site. All child pick-ups must be confirmed. Student drivers, if allowed to take their vehicle home, must check out with school staff.
Family Reunification Process
If Family Reunification/Child Pick-Up is needed due to an emergency situation, you will be told by the reunification site by the School District.
- When you arrive at the reunification site, you will be asked to complete a reunification card.
- You will need an identification card.
- You will give your completed card to the check-in staff and your child(ren) will be brought to you in the waiting area.
- The reunification card is signed and maintained by the School District for our records.
Family Reunification can be time consuming. We share the same goal during this process – getting you and your child(ren) back together as quickly as possible. Please be patient with each other and staff.