Indian Prairie CUSD 204 presents winners of first annual school safety contest
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Summary
Indian Prairie CUSD 204 awarded student winners from preschool through high school in its first annual school safety contest, drawing more than 200 entries from 26 of 34 schools and more than $3,000 in prizes sponsored by Rival 5 Technologies.
Indian Prairie CUSD 204 presented awards to student winners of its first annual school safety contest during a district board meeting, recognizing entries from preschool through high school and highlighting student messages about reporting threats to trusted adults or law enforcement.
The contest drew more than 200 student submissions from 26 of the district’s 34 schools and awarded more than $3,000 in prizes, the district said. Categories were organized by level: elementary/early childhood entries were drawings and posters; middle school entries were digital designs and video public-service announcements; high school entries included drawings, digital designs and video PSAs. Prize tiers at each level included $50 for honorable mentions, $100 for third place, $250 for second place and $500 for first place.
District staff thanked Rival 5 Technologies for sponsoring the awards. Tony Burnsich, identified in the meeting as the CEO of Rival 5 Technologies, joined district staff to distribute prizes. The district also credited a judging panel that included members of local law enforcement, a representative of the Indian Prairie Parents Council and the district safety coordinator.
Ron Wilkie, identified in the meeting as Indian Prairie CUSD 204’s safety, security and emergency preparedness coordinator, was listed as part of the presentation team. Staff told the board that the contest is intended to raise awareness about “preventing threats to our schools and fostering a safe learning environment” and that threats — whether real, hoaxes or jokes — can carry serious consequences.
A video made by Hill Middle School students Dylan and Caden, shown at the meeting, told viewers: “If you hear something, see something, or feel something’s off, it’s your responsibility to report it. No matter what kind of threat it is, real or a hoax, it’s important to speak up.” The district said the contest emphasizes reporting concerns to trusted adults or law enforcement.
Winners called to the stage included: kindergarten student Madash (Peterson Elementary); third-graders Anania (May Watts Elementary) and Srianne (Brooks Elementary); second-grader Rajat (Brookdale Elementary); fifth-grader Arnoff (Owen Elementary); first-grader Aria (Kalashaw Elementary); middle-school winners Abigail (Hill Middle School), Giri Vart (Grainne Middle School), a Hill Middle School group (Aditya, Daksh, Maxim, Dylan and Rasheel), Isabella (Hill School), and middle-school first-place video winners Dylan and Caden (Hill Middle School); and high-school winners Andrea (Waubonsee Valley High School), Maria (Waubonsee Valley High School), Kira (Neuqua Valley High School), Sam (Neuqua Valley High School), Alisa (Neuqua Valley High School) and a Waubonsee group (Michelle, Jackson and William).
District staff said the safety contest will be repeated next year in conjunction with School Safety Week in October and that information will be provided at the start of the school year.
No formal board votes or policy decisions were recorded during the awards presentation portion of the meeting; the session was an awards and recognition item only.