Student Safety & Family Support

WE BELIEVE...

• In authentic relationships and a supportive community that fosters a sense of belonging
• In a thriving school environment where staff and students are physically and emotionally safe
• In the importance of student and staff voice in decision making
• Families and school staff who collaborate and partner together to support every student

Community Partnerships:

Parent Advisory Committee of District 15
McHenry School District 156 
Harrison School District 36
McHenry County Police 
McHenry Parks & Recreation
McHenry Public Library
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Youth and Family Center of McHenry County (YFC)
McHelp 

District 15 wants families to know that no one has to navigate difficult or challenging times alone. A wide range of local, statewide, and national resources are available to support students and families. We encourage you to explore the support networks available to you and your child(ren) within McHenry County and beyond.

Daybreak: Free Virtual Counseling for D15 Students/Families

District 15 is committed to the social, emotional and mental well-being of our students. Our district has partnered with Daybreak Health, a school-based mental health company, to offer teletherapy services to our students, ages 5+, with qualified mental health professionals. These services will be provided at no cost to families and will deliver mental health services to students in need.

Daybreak services are available to students age 5 and up. However, for students under the age of 10, Daybreak teletherapy services are provided with the parent/guardian and student. Students over age 10, can meet one-on-one with their mental health professional.

Daybreak has a curriculum designed to meet the mental health needs of students that is age appropriate. The evidence-based program is designed to help students understand their emotions, learn new skills and strategies to manage their symptoms, and learn how to transfer those skills into school, home and throughout their life.

To learn more about the curriculum:

• Elementary Students (Under 10 years)

• Middle School Students (10 and up

All District 15 psychologists and social workers can refer a student and family to Daybreak. Parents and guardians are encouraged to reach out to your school psychologist, social worker or administrator to start mental health support through Daybreak for your student(s). Please note, Daybreak is mental health support for students, but is not appropriate for a student in crisis that needs immediate access to mental health care. Contact your school or our district office if you have any questions or need assistance.

Care Solace: Free Service for Families to Find Affordable Mental Health Services as Well as Resources for Food Assistance, Shelter Support, and Health and Dental Services  

We understand how challenging and time-consuming it can be for families to find services that meet all the requirements: accepting the right insurance plans or Medicaid, accepting new patients, offering specific focus areas or specialties, and offering sessions that meet your busy schedule. Care Solace will do this work for you and even schedule your first appointment.  You can also choose to use the search engine yourself if you prefer. For more information and to access this free service, please click here

Student and staff safety is always our top priority and warrants our most resolute commitment to District 15 students, staff, and families. We understand that having a sense of personal safety is a foundational need for both adults and students in order for teaching and learning to take place. We also understand that personal safety includes both school safety and a person's physical and social-emotional well-being. 

I Love You Guys - Safety Protocols

District 15 schools conduct a variety of safety drills annually to prepare students and staff in the case of an emergency.

District and building administrators recently completed training on the "I Love You Guys" Standard Response Protocol that has recently been implemented in our buildings. Below is a video for your reference and a flier that describes this safety protocol in more depth.

Security

• Fire drills in partnership with the McHenry Fire Department
• Lockdown drills in partnership with the McHenry Police Department
• Severe weather/shelter-in-place drills
• Bus evacuation drills
• District 15 utilizes specific crisis response programming to address threats and maintain onsite protocols and procedures
• All school buildings are equipped with integrated school safety software that enables district staff to screen visitors, track volunteers, report on drills, and respond to emergencies
• Current and future investments in capital projects to keep school district facilities safe and secure
  • Phone Systems
  • Intercom Systems
  • Camera Systems
  • Interior / Exterior Entrances and Egresses
• District 15 works together in partnership with the McHenry Police Department for fast response support and assistance in case of threats or emergencies

Review our updated Policy 7180, which outlines important guidelines and procedures related to student conduct and expectations. This document provides key information for families and staff to understand district standards and supports a safe, respectful learning environment for all students.

Bullying Policy

Explore the Student Behavior Guidelines to understand expectations, responsibilities, and supports that help maintain a safe and positive learning environment. This document outlines behavior standards and procedures that guide how students are expected to conduct themselves at school.

Student Behavior Guidelines

View the Suicide Awareness and Prevention Policy (Policy 7290) to understand how our district supports student well‑being and safety. This policy outlines our commitment to promoting awareness, prevention, and response strategies to help protect students and connect them with vital resources.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention Policy

What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)?
Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, show empathy for others, build and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions, as defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).

In District 15, we focus on developing the whole child by fostering both academic and social-emotional growth. Positive relationships between students and teachers, as well as among peers, help students feel safe, engaged, and more successful academically.

SEL is integrated across multiple contexts every day—it’s more than a program or lesson. It shapes how teaching and learning happen, as well as what is taught and where learning occurs. CASEL’s framework identifies five core competencies that, when prioritized across classrooms, schools, families, and the wider community, help educate hearts, inspire minds, and prepare students to navigate the world effectively.

Second Step is McHenry District 15’s social-emotional learning curriculum for grades PreK–5. Its holistic approach equips educators, families, and the community with tools to support children’s social-emotional growth and safety, fostering a more empathetic and caring society.

Second Step focuses on four key areas:

• Skills for Learning

• Empathy

• Emotion Management

• Problem Solving

The Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) is a strength-based tool that measures the social and emotional competencies of students in grades K–8. It is used to assess development in areas such as social-emotional skills, resilience, and factors that support academic success.

Erin’s Law requires that all public schools implement a prevention-focused child abuse program as part of their Comprehensive Health Program.

For Students: All students in grades Pre-K through 12 receive age-appropriate education on sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention. This instruction helps children understand boundaries, recognize inappropriate behavior, and know how to seek help if needed.

For School Personnel: Teachers, support staff, teaching assistants, and administrators participate in professional development and in-service training. These programs focus on sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention, as well as how to recognize signs of abuse and appropriately respond to and report incidents.

By implementing Erin’s Law, schools aim to create a safer environment for students while equipping both students and staff with the knowledge and tools to prevent and address child sexual abuse.

Erin's Law Parent Letter

Erin's Law Illinois Website

District 15 Emergency Notifications

McHenry District 15 uses the Blackboard notification system to alert families about emergency situations or school closures due to inclement weather. In an emergency, the district sends automated phone calls, text messages, and emails to parents and guardians.

It is essential that parents keep their contact information up to date in Skyward Family Access. If your contact information changes, please notify the school. Note: Parents will not receive phone calls if the primary number is on the “do not call” list, and text messages will not be sent if you have opted out. Contact your school if you are not receiving notifications as expected.

Inclement Weather Notifications: When possible, emergency weather closing notifications are sent the evening before via phone, text, and email. On snow days, updates will also be posted on the district and school websites.

Keeping Students Safe Online in District 15

McHenry School District 15 is committed to ensuring that all students remain safe in today’s increasingly digital learning environment, both at school and at home. We encourage families to partner with us by taking advantage of GoGuardian Beacon and Bark Plus, two tools designed to support student safety online.

Providing students with school-issued devices and accounts opens a world of learning opportunities—but also potential risks. Digital safety is a top priority, which is why District 15 has upgraded its resources to help students stay safe online and in everyday life.

GoGuardian Beacon

How it helps: GoGuardian Beacon alerts school administrators and staff if a student searches, creates, views, or interacts with online content related to self-harm or potential harm to others. These alerts can help intervene even when a student may struggle to ask for help.

Parent role: Families receive notifications after school hours and during breaks to ensure timely support. Parents are automatically notified via the email on file in Skyward if their student may be at risk.

Bark Plus

How it helps: Bark Plus monitors school-issued accounts, including emails and Google Workspace, and sends alerts about potential safety concerns. Alerts allow the school and families to respond quickly and promote overall student wellness.

Parent role: Families can sign up to receive alerts after hours, on weekends, and during school breaks. Parents will receive an email to confirm their contact information and will begin receiving notifications for time-sensitive issues detected by Bark Plus.

Key Differences

• GoGuardian Beacon monitors student web browsing activity.

• Bark Plus monitors student emails and Google Workspace accounts.

• Both services only monitor district-issued accounts and devices.

By working together, District 15 and families can help ensure that students stay safe, supported, and connected both online and offline.

Parent Guidelines During School Emergencies

The school administration’s top priority during an emergency is to address the immediate situation, including coordinating with law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel. Parents and guardians can support emergency response efforts by following these guidelines:

• Keep contact information up to date: Regularly check and update your information and emergency contacts in Skyward Family Access. Accurate contact information ensures you receive critical district messages during an emergency.

• Monitor your email and phone: Families will receive updates throughout the emergency. If students need to be relocated for reunification, notifications about the pick-up location will be sent.

• Do not go to the school: Arriving at the school can interfere with emergency response and block access for emergency vehicles.

• Do not contact the school: Phone lines must remain open for emergency communication, and office staff may be assisting with the response. Updates will be provided via the district’s mass notification system, website, and social media.

• Do not call or text your child: Students must be able to focus on instructions from staff to ensure their safety.

• Do not post on social media: Allow authorities to communicate accurate information. Sharing posts may spread misinformation, create confusion, and put people at risk.

By following these guidelines, parents help ensure the safety of all students and allow emergency responders to work efficiently.

Successful Parenting Podcast

Explore the Successful Parenting Podcast on Spotify for practical tips, insights, and strategies to support your child’s growth and well-being. Hosted by experts in education and family development, this podcast provides guidance on navigating everyday parenting challenges and fostering a positive, nurturing environment at home.

Successful Parenting Podcast.

District 15 takes all reports of bullying and inappropriate student behavior seriously. If you have been a target, witness, or are a person with information about bullying or inappropriate student behavior, please fill out the form below.