Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, Arlington Heights School District 25 adopted the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for school emergencies. This move, made in partnership with the Arlington Heights Police Department, ensures a clear, consistent, and universal approach to emergency situations within our buildings and on school property.

The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Implementing the SRP is another important step in strengthening our preparedness and communication during emergencies.

All District 25 staff received training on the SRP in the spring of 2025, and the protocol will be used in our safety drills moving forward. Please review the terminology pictured below, which will be used when communicating during an emergency.

To learn more, visit the Standard Response Protocol site.

District 25 is now using an Illinois school safety helpline aimed at providing students a place to report information that might prevent bullying, suicide, and campus violence.

The program, Safe2Help, was launched statewide (Oct. 2021) and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It allows students to confidentially share school safety issues. The service is free to schools. While District 25 encourages students who feel unsafe to confide in a trusted adult, Safe2Help allows students who cannot reach out in person to instead reach out for help via a mobile app, a text, email, or phone call, or seek aid through Safe2Help.com.

Safe2Help information resides on the back of every student bus pass as well as within their assignment notebooks.

Information gleaned from Safe2Help is vetted and shared immediately with local school officials, mental health professionals, and/or local law enforcement and 911 if calls reference immediate threats. The program offers District 25 support by connecting students with tools and mental health resources to help students before they harm themselves or others.

Safety Town Hall Follow-Up

On March 12, 2025, we hosted a community town hall at Thomas Middle School focused on school safety. As a reminder, the Arlington Heights Police Department was present and everyone in our community was welcome to attend.

As promised, we are providing a follow-up to a question raised during the meeting: How many “stranger danger” incidents have surrounding school districts had to communicate out in the past year? Based on our review, there have been 2 total reported “stranger danger” incidents shared by surrounding school districts over the past year.

You can read the full follow-up letter from the meeting by clicking here.

As always, we remain committed to transparent communication and continuous improvement in all areas of safety.

Throughout the months of August and September, all of our schools will conduct various safety drills to ensure students know what to do in case of emergencies or incidents. These drills prepare students and staff for situations like fire, severe weather, or lockdowns. By practicing these procedures, we aim to create a safer environment where everyone is ready to respond calmly and effectively in any situation.

Keep a eye out for more specific information from your school or principal on when your student will participate in safety drills.

IN SCHOOL

At Arlington Heights School District 25, we are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and empowered throughout the school day. Our In-School Support Options provide essential resources to help students navigate challenges, build resilience, and thrive academically and emotionally. Through Social Emotional Supports, students have access to guidance and interventions that promote well-being and positive relationships. Our Related Services Supports offer specialized assistance tailored to individual needs, ensuring every student receives the care and resources necessary for success. Click below to explore how these supports can make a difference for your child.

Social Emotional Supports

Related Services Supports

COMMUNITY SUPPORTS