School Safety

ETHS has a dedicated team of trained professionals working to maintain a safe school environment every day.

• Safety Staff: Our trained safety team is stationed throughout the building to support students, monitor hallways and common areas, and assist in emergency situations. They play an important role in building relationships and ensuring a positive school climate. School safety staff are non-armed civilian employees of the district.
   
• School Resource Officers (SROs): ETHS partners with the Evanston Police Department to have school resource officers on campus. SROs provide safety support and serve as a resource for crime prevention and emergency response. ETHS takes a progressive approach to school resources, recognizing the varied experiences and perspectives on policing within our community. Our SROs are plain-clothed and focus on building positive relationships with students and are part of a broader, holistic approach to school safety that prioritizes trust, wellbeing, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.

ETHS prioritizes proactive safety measures to ensure a secure school environment, including:

• Controlled Access: All exterior doors remain locked during the school day, with designated entry points monitored by safety staff to control access to the building.
   
• Surveillance System: ETHS uses a network of security cameras throughout the building and campus to monitor activity, enabling real-time monitoring and aiding in the investigation of safety concerns, incidents, or emergencies when they arise.
   
• Scanning: All students are required to scan their Student ID upon entry to ensure controlled access to the building. 
   
• Visitor Management: Visitors must enter through designated points, provide identification, and follow check-in procedures before accessing the building.
   
• School Safety Staff: Trained safety personnel are stationed throughout the school to provide support, monitor hallways, and respond to safety concerns. 
   
• Collaboration with Local Agencies: ETHS partners with the Evanston Police, Fire, and Emergency Management Services to coordinate safety efforts and emergency response planning.

ETHS has clear protocols in place to respond to a variety of emergencies, including severe weather, medical situations, and safety threats. Our emergency preparedness includes:

• Safety Drills: Students and staff participate in fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills throughout the year to make sure they are prepared for an emergency situation.
   
• Crisis Response Plans: ETHS follows detailed response plans that align with local, state, and federal guidelines.
   
• Communication: ETHS uses multiple channels to provide timely updates to families and staff during emergencies, including phone calls, text alerts, emails, website updates, and social media posts. Parents/guardians should ensure their contact information is up-to-date in school records. Learn more on the Emergency Notifications page.

ETHS has comprehensive Crisis Response Plans to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors in emergency situations. These plans outline the procedures for different types of incidents and are regularly reviewed and practiced. Our Crisis Response Plans include:

Lockdown – Threat or hazard inside the school

Used when there is an active or potential threat inside the school, on campus, or near the school. Classroom doors are locked, lights are turned off, and students and staff remain quiet and out of sight until given an all-clear. Lockdowns may last several hours. A lockdown is lifted only when police or other authorities confirm that there is no longer a threat. Parents/guardians are notified if ETHS is on lockdown. Do not call or come to the school during a lockdown. Wait for information about the reunification process.

Soft Lockdown – Threat or hazard in the community

Used when there is a potential threat in the community. The school operates as normal, but all exterior doors are secured, and movement inside the building may be limited. For safety reasons, no one is allowed to enter or exit the building until the situation is resolved. 

Evacuation – Building must be cleared for safety 

Used in cases of fire, gas leaks, or other hazards requiring the building to be cleared for safety. Students, staff, and visitors leave all belongings behind and follow designated routes to exit the building and relocate to a safe location. Parents/guardians are notified in the event of an evacuation. Do not call or come to the school during an evacuation. Wait for information about the reunification process.

Hold-in-Place – Limited movement inside building

Used when movement inside the school needs to be temporarily restricted due to a short-term emergency (e.g., medical emergency, maintenance issue). Classes and school activities continue as normal. Students, staff, and visitors remain in their current locations when a hold-in-place is announced and ignore all bells until an all-clear is given. For safety reasons, no one may enter or exit the building until the situation is resolved. 

Shelter-in-Place – Sheltering from severe weather and other hazards

Used for severe weather, environmental hazards, or other situations where staying indoors is safest. Students, staff, and visitors take shelter in designated areas and must remain in place until the all-clear is announced. In certain situations, students, staff, and visitors may be instructed to take action to protect themselves from potential debris. 

Communication

ETHS uses multiple channels to provide timely updates to families and staff during emergencies, including phone calls, text alerts, emails, website updates, and social media posts. Parents/guardians should ensure their contact information is up-to-date in school records. Learn more about emergency notifications at eths202.org/families/EmergencyNotifications.

Reunification Process

In situations where students need to be released to parents/guardians from an offsite location, ETHS follows a structured reunification plan to ensure a safe and orderly process. Information about the reunification process will be communicated through multiple channels, including phone calls, text alerts, email, our website, and social media.

If you’ve lost something while at ETHS, here’s what you can do:

1. Lost Property Report Form: Complete the Lost Property Report Form. The ETHS Safety Department will check all existing lost property and contact you if they find a match. If not, this report will be kept on file and checked against new items turned in throughout the school year.
    

2. Check Last Known Location: Check with staff in the location where you may have lost the item—classrooms, libraries, or other spaces may hold lost items temporarily before turning them in.
    
3. Visit the Safety Office: After submitting the form, you can visit the Safety Office (located near Entrance 1) to ask about your missing item(s). Be ready with information that can help us identify your lost item(s), such as a detailed description or a unique characteristic of an item. If you’re unable to visit in person, call the Safety Department at 847-424-7500.
    
4. Retrieving a Lost Item: To claim lost or stolen property, you must submit a Lost Property Report Form and present a valid form of identification, such as a Student ID or driver’s license.

If you’ve found something at ETHS that appears to be lost, please turn it in as soon as possible:

• In Classroom or School Space (Library, The Hub, etc.): Give the item to the teacher or staff member in that space. They may hold onto it temporarily in case the owner returns.
   
• In a Common Area or Hallway: Bring the item to the Safety Office (near Entrance 1) or hand it to a Safety staff member.
   
• At a Game or Special Event: Turn the item in to a Safety staff member or another ETHS staff member working the event (such as ticket staff) or bring it to the Safety Office at the next opportunity.