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Joliet Township High School is reminding families and students about the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) as part of School Safety Awareness Week. The SRP is a set of procedures and vocabulary used by students, staff, families, and first responders to address various incidents that could affect school safety.
"Safety is our top priority at Joliet Township High School. Classroom response to an incident is critical in creating a safer school environment. This is why JTHS has implemented the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which we are communicating during School Safety Awareness Week."
The protocol outlines five main actions: HOLD, SECURE, LOCKDOWN, EVACUATE, and SHELTER. Each action has specific instructions for students and staff. For example, "HOLD" is used to keep hallways clear during certain situations such as medical emergencies or maintenance issues. "SECURE" involves bringing everyone inside and locking outside doors if there is an incident near but not inside the school.
When a "LOCKDOWN" is called, it means there is a credible threat on or near campus. Students are trained to move out of sight and maintain silence while adults lock doors and prepare for further instructions. "EVACUATE" directs everyone to leave the building due to reasons like fire or hazardous materials. "SHELTER" covers responses to hazards such as tornadoes or earthquakes.
By using standardized language, all parties can better understand what actions are being taken during an emergency. The school asks families not to call or go to the building during any of these actions unless directed otherwise. Updates will be provided through official communication channels.
The protocol also includes guidelines for controlled release events where parents may need to pick up their children from a location other than the school due to emergencies like weather events or power outages.
Joliet West High School serves grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 3,310 students in the 2019-2020 school year, according to data from the Illinois Report Card (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). Of those students, grade 9 had the highest concentration at 27.3 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolid=560992040170003), followed by grades 12 at 26.1 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolid=560992040170003), grade 11 at 25.1 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolid=560992040170003), and grade 10 at 24.7 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolid=560992040170003). The student body includes 34.9 percent white students, 21.2 percent black students, 39 percent Hispanic students, and 1.7 percent Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?schoolid=560992040170003).
"We ask that you do not call or go to the school during any of the five actions listed below unless otherwise directed," states the communication from JTHS administration.
"Thank you for your cooperation in making our schools as safe as possible."
