Frankfort Schools Take Extra Precautions After Sandy Hook Shootings

One Frankfort school district has increased its security measures and will keep all main entrances locked to outside visitors, following the Newtown, Conn. school shooting on Dec. 14. 

As an added precaution, Frankfort School District 157-C will require that staff admit any visitors into its buildings.

In an email alert sent to parents Dec. 17, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Hurlburt called the step "a necessary one" brought on by the rampage that left 20 students and six adults dead. 

Superintendents of District 157-C and District 161 Monday spoke with teachers and school staff about security, lockdown drills to keep students and staff safe, and counseling for those who seek it.

Staff also worked to keep classes and routines running smoothly for students.

"One of the best things that we can do for our children is to give them a sense of normalcy, routine and security," wrote Hurlburt.

Hurlburt and Summit Hill School District 161 Superintendent Barb Rains both assured parents that the schools routinely practice lockdown drills and other standard safety procedures, and that students are safe while on school property.

District 161 schools work closely with building principals and emergency first responders from Mokena, Frankfort, Tinley Park and Will County to ensure thorough safety protocols, Rains wrote. During one recent safety drill, local police officials accompanied the principals to test that students were kept safely and securely within locked classrooms should an intruder make his way into a building. 

"Every student has the right to attend school in a safe environment free of harassment, intimidation, threats to personal safety, or any form of violence," Rains wrote in a letter home to parents. 

District 157-C also practices emergency drills throughout the school year, and partners with the Frankfort police department and fire protection district to review plans.

Both districts have social workers and counselors present for any students or staff who need to talk.

The districts recently completed lockdown drills, but told parents they would review safety procedures in light of any developments stemming from the Newtown tragedy.

"We take nothing more seriously than the safety and security of every one of our students," Rains wrote. "During the hours each day they are in our care, we treat them as if they were our own children and love and protect them with the passion of a mother bear.

"We realize that we can never review enough and plan enough but we will certainly do whatever is humanly possible to keep our students and staff safe."

If you want to reach administration at your child's school district:

District 161: Barb Rains, 815-469-9103

District 157-C: Dr. Thomas Hurlburt, 815-469-5922

Do you feel your child's school district is taking all necessary steps following the Newtown tragedy? Tell us in the comments.