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District 15 to pilot reunification drill at Carl Sandburg; principals to receive districtwide training
Summary
District staff described a planned reunification drill for Carl Sandburg Middle School seventh graders and outlined a districtwide rollout of reunification training and planning with emergency‑response partners.
Carl Sandburg Middle School and District 15 administrators described a planned pilot reunification drill to exercise procedures for relocating students to an off‑site location and reuniting them with families.
Erica Johansen, principal at Carl Sandburg, and Sherry Lazard, associate superintendent, said the district engaged Michael Peck of the I Love You Guys Foundation to help craft a reunification plan and will pilot the protocol with seventh graders on May 30. “We want a solid plan to be able to support students and staff and families in case there is that type of crisis,” Johansen said. The exercise is a simulated event and parents will be invited to participate in the mock reunification.
Why it matters: Reunification — the process of moving students to a prearranged off‑site location and returning them to guardians — requires coordination among transportation, nutrition, technology, buildings & grounds, student services and public safety partners. Administrators said practicing the process will reveal gaps and improve the district’s capacity to manage a large‑scale relocation if needed.
Key points and scheduled steps - Training: Staff training for Carl Sandburg seventh‑grade teachers and staff is scheduled for May 28; the practice reunification will be conducted on May 30. - Principals’ rollout: On May 28 (afternoon) district principals will receive intensive training and are invited to observe the Carl Sandburg drill before their own schools develop plans. - Partners and logistics: The pilot will use a nearby church as the relocation site for Carl Sandburg; transportation, nutrition services, technology (hotspots/chargers), buildings & grounds, and local police and fire departments are engaged in planning. Johansen said nutrition services will provide meals for students and staff during a relocation. - Mental‑health supports: Student‑services clinicians will identify students who may be triggered by the simulation and will contact parents; an opt‑out is available for families who prefer not to participate.
Board response and oversight: Board members praised the planning and encouraged thoroughness; no formal vote was required. Administrators said the Carl Sandburg pilot will inform a phased districtwide rollout across all schools and grade levels.
Ending: District leaders said the goal is to practice and refine reunification procedures so that, if ever needed, the district can execute a calm, efficient reunification that preserves student wellbeing and parental trust.
