Lake Bluff 65 Focuses on Student Safety

This November, Lake Bluff 65 Superintendent Dr. Lisa Leali, Board Vice President Carrie Steinbach, and Board Member Tim Penich presented “Student Safety: Online, IRL, and Inside-Out” at the 2024 IASB•IASA•IASBO Joint Annual Conference in Chicago. Their session highlighted the district’s comprehensive strategies for physical, social-emotional, and online safety, showing how a commitment to safety strengthens the entire community.

How Lake Bluff 65 Supports Student Safety & Wellbeing

Under the leadership of Austin Johnson, Director of Safety and Security, and through collaborative efforts with staff, families, and local agencies, Lake Bluff 65 prioritizes a safe and secure learning environment.

• Safety is a Shared Responsibility:

  • The district encourages a “See Something, Say Something, Do Something” mindset among staff, students, parents, and community members.

  • Strong partnerships with the Lake Bluff Police and Fire Departments ensure proactive safety planning.

  • Collaboration with the Technology and Facilities Departments enhances building security.

• Visitor Management System:

  • The Visitor Aware System, now in place at both schools and the district office, instantly checks visitors against the National Sex Offender Registry and reinforces secure entry protocols.

  • Visitors are reminded to bring their ID for a seamless security check.

• New PA System:

  • The updated PA system connects to panic buttons for immediate emergency alerts, delivering announcements, flashing lights, and visual messages across screens to ensure clear communication in any situation.

Additional District Efforts:

• Social-Emotional Wellbeing:

  • Initiatives like The Anxious Generation Community Book Club and the Community Wellness Task Force provide tools and conversations to support mental health.

  • Onsite counselors, social workers, and psychologists are available for students’ mental health needs.

• Mental Health Resources:

  • Online tools like Safe2Help and ReferralGPS Lake County give families 24/7 access to mental health support.

  • A dedicated District Crisis Counselor provides targeted support.

• Online Safety:

  • The IT Department plays a key role in keeping students safe online by implementing advanced content filtering systems, monitoring district devices, and educating students on responsible technology use. These measures protect against harmful content and cyber threats while fostering a secure digital learning environment.

  • Students and parents also benefited from a fall presentation by national expert Jesse Weinberger on navigating digital risks safely.

Through these initiatives, Austin Johnson and the district team are helping Lake Bluff 65 reach its goal of creating a secure, supportive environment where all students can thrive. Let’s continue working together to keep safety a cornerstone of our community!