Parents, teachers and staff ask Berwyn South SD 100 board for clearer safety protocols amid nearby federal enforcement activity

Board meeting speakers over a sustained public-comment period on immigration enforcement described incidents of federal agents near Berwyn schools and asked the district to strengthen safety and communication protocols.

"This is a safety issue, period," said Christina Bronson Lasalde, a parent representing the Cicero Berwyn School Safety Group, describing a caravan of federal agents who detained a U.S. citizen blocks from Jefferson Elementary and asking the board for "clear safety protocols, clear communication channels during urgent decision making moments, and proactive communication to all families." (Christina Bronson Lasalde, public comment.)

Several parents and staff made specific requests aimed at reducing confusion during enforcement-related events. Kayla Norris asked the board to clarify policy 4170 and to set explicit criteria for when to activate enhanced or "soft" lockdown procedures—for example, defining activation as confirmed enforcement within a half-mile of a school or within the school’s catchment area—and to require immediate, plain-language notifications to staff and families. (Kayla Norris, public comment.)

Teachers and school social workers described ad hoc local responses and the toll on students. "We were unsure, and we just know that uncertainty is dangerous in a crisis," said Miguel Gutierrez, a dual-language teacher who described staff-organized monitoring at dismissal and asked for district guidance so teachers are not forced into improvised decisions. Emily Reyes, a district social worker, urged formalizing school safety teams that are public facing and trained to execute plans for confirmed nearby enforcement. (Miguel Gutierrez; Emily Reyes, public comments.)

Multiple speakers asked the district to distribute accurate "know your rights" information broadly and in families’ home languages rather than relying on flyers left in school offices. "Know your rights information sent home is a baseline and an important step," said Kimberly Trujillo, a registered nurse and District 100 parent. Speakers also asked for proactive outreach from counselors and bilingual mental-health communications to lessen trauma for affected students. (Kimberly Trujillo; Kate Mizek, public comments.)

Board president Elizabeth Ojeda Jimenez asked speakers to email written versions of their proposals to the board so members can review and consider formal next steps. Administration said it would provide a resolution template related to recent Cook County tax collection issues for board consideration next month. No new district-wide protocols were adopted at this meeting; the requests were recorded for future board action. (President Elizabeth Ojeda Jimenez; administration response.)

What happens next: The board asked community members to submit written proposals by email to inform discussion at a future meeting; administration offered to circulate a sample resolution for consideration. The February board meeting was identified as a likely venue for a public response and potential action items.