Two District 50 Schools Were In Lockdown Mode Friday

The Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a call Friday morning that a 28-year-old man was threatening to kill himself with a firearm in the 17000 block of West Roberts Court, in unincorporated Gurnee.

During the incident, two  were placed on lockdown as a precaution. Bus companies were also notified. Below is a letter Superintendent Joy Swoboda released Friday to District 50 parents to explain the situation:

June 1, 2012

The purpose of this communication is to provide you with accurate information regarding a lockdown incident that took place in our school district this morning.

At approximately 10:35 a.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office notified the district that an armed and dangerous person was at-large within the district boundaries. At no time was this person on school grounds. However, as a result of this notification, Woodland went into a lockdown as explained in the paragraph that follows.

District personnel are trained by the Gurnee Police Department on the various levels of lockdown. The initial lockdown, Code Red, required no traffic into or out of the schools and district office, and required adults and children to be locked in safe locations in their classrooms with their teachers. Shortly, thereafter, district personnel were notified that they could move to the second level of lockdown, Code Yellow. This level of lockdown allows movement within the schools, but continues to require no traffic into and out of schools. 

At approximately 11:05 a.m., Woodland’s school resource officer notified the district that the person in question had been apprehended and the lockdown could be safely rescinded.

The students affected by the lockdown were the and students as well as the children that are part of the district’s before and after school care program and onsite daycare program. Intermediate and Middle School students had already been dismissed and Primary students were not in attendance.

Emergency training, both planning and practice drills, take place with both students and staff throughout the year so they are prepared with what they should and should not do in the event of an emergency situation. In addition, staff carry identification badges that list the lockdown procedures so they are prepared at all times.

I’d like to recognize our staff for their professionalism and assistance this morning. In addition, I’d like to thank the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their expedient communication as well as the Gurnee Police Department for collaboration and communication during the incident.

If you have any further questions, please contact my office at (847) 596-5601 or Public Information Specialist Jennifer Tempest Bova at jbova@dist50.net

Sincerely,

Joy A. Swoboda, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools