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Campus Security
Marist High School Safety Initiatives:
– Comprehensive 24/7 security camera coverage, with over 141 monitored angles/feeds
– A dedicated security team, with a minimum of three officers on duty daily
– Continuous monitoring of door sensors across campus
– All campus doors are securely locked and monitored
– Faculty and staff have access to a dedicated safety app
– A trained Crisis Response Team (see below for more details)
– Regularly conducted safety drills
School-Wide Crisis Communication Plan
Marist High School strives to meet the moral and legal responsibilities involved in providing a safe school environment. During a crisis, schools face unusual demands and must adapt to unexpected and unpredictable influences. It can be very difficult for a school to organize an effective crisis intervention response and still maintain the required long-range perspective.
The Crisis Management Plan provides a framework for protecting students, faculty, staff, and school facilities. This plan provides for a Crisis Planning Team to oversee the implementation and annual review of the Crisis Plan. This plan discusses a wide range of emergency and disaster situations that could occur.
Marist is a Catholic High School founded in the mission of Marcellin Champagnat and the Marist Brothers. Our plan will always be to accompany those in crisis and be rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, whose mission was to care for those who were suffering. Likewise Marist is a school that is under the protection of Mary Our Good Mother. Mary knows suffering as evidenced at the foot of the Cross. As a Marist School, we are called to walk with those who face the challenges of suffering.
The Crisis Management Plan develops guidelines to address three general areas concurrently:
- 1. Safety and Security
- 2. Dissemination of accurate information to school Crisis Planning Team members, Crisis Response Team members, school faculty and staff, students, parents, and when appropriate, the general public.
- 3. The spiritual, emotional, and psychological needs of all parties
The purpose of this document is to guide and inform the actions and communication of the school community if/when the following events occur:
-Death of a student
-Death of a faculty/staff member
-Natural disasters (fire, tornado, etc)
-Communicable disease
-Aftermath of school shooter
-Outside or community unrest/disorder
-Bomb threat
-Social Media threat
-Emergency in the school neighborhood
Crisis Planning Team (CPT)
The mission of the Marist High School CPT is to ensure the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and the school community in crises. The team’s role is to provide assistance and support to building administration, faculty/staff, students, and Marist families. This team develops guidelines to address prevention strategies, crisis action plans, and post-crisis response guidelines.
The goal of the team is to meet quarterly, assess and revise the school-wide crisis plan, and review the school’s need for educational and supportive services.
Responsibilities and roles for the team include, but are not limited to;
-Assist administration on-site in crisis situations
-Provide support for the building’s Crisis Response Team
-Provide structure and plan for response
-Consult with community partners for additional mental health support when needed
-Monitor and support students/faculty/staff in need
-Plan for immediate and ongoing student support
-Support families when needed
-Coordinate school-wide support/outreach
-Transition student needs to the counseling team
*At the earliest stages of a crisis, the CPT may need to communicate with the Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Marist Brothers leadership, Marist Brothers communications counsel, and the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools.
Crisis Planning Team (CPT) Members
-Principal- Meg Dunneback
-President – Larry Tucker
-Social Workers (2)- Erik Christensen/Cathaleen Novak
-SIS Manager- Patrick Ryan
-Director of Campus Ministry- Mike Brennan
-Athletic Director- Eric Simpson
-Director of Security- Mike Callahan
-Director of Communication- Allie Bowles
-Director of Facilities- Dave Waterman
-School Nurse- Mandy Gaida
-Teacher (Preferably Chair/Coach)- Lucas Fritsch
Crisis Response Team
After a crisis has been confirmed, the Crisis Response Team’s goal is to provide timely and effective support for all community members. The plan is designed to be flexible and inclusive depending on the impact on the school community. This team should meet at least once every semester to assess, review, and revise the plan. Team members’ roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
– Effective management of the situation
– Provide opportunities for grief and psychological support
– Maintain an environment focused on normal educational activities
– Help students cope with their feelings
– Minimize the risk of suicide contagion, and/or reactive behaviors
– Provide support for faculty/staff affected by the events
Student Safety Hotline: 773-881-5365
