Safety

School safety is a top priority at Hoffman Estates High School. The school employs a video surveillance camera system to enhance security and deter inappropriate activity on school grounds. Regular safety drills that practice our Lockdown and Run, Hide, Survive procedures are conducted at each school. These drills involve students and staff members to help all members of the school community know how to respond in the event of an emergency.

For additional information about safety and security in District 211, please click this link.

Color Codes for Messaging to Parents

District 211 Communications/Notifications

District 211 uses email to share information with parents and have adopted a coded message system to help parents identify the relative importance of various email messages. The code is displayed directly in the email subject line. The specific codes are:

Level Green

General information from the school or District about scheduled school events or news that does not require immediate attention.

Level Yellow

Public safety/awareness information regarding an incident in or near the school that warrants attention but does not pose any threat to the school. For example, local law enforcement might respond to a location near the school, but the incident is not threatening school safety.

Level Orange

Weather/school safety alerts regarding an event that will affect school operations. All weather-related school closures will be level orange messages.

Code Red

Emergency communications and information about an incident that is likely to occur or has already occurred. An active threat against the school that resulted in injury, or a confirmed fire that resulted in injury and school evacuation are examples of incidents that would be shared under this code.

In addition to email, the District will send text messages to mobile devices and place phone calls to communicate Level Orange and Code Red messages. It is important that parents maintain accurate contact information within the Infinite Campus portal in order to receive all types of communications from the school and District. You can access the portal at https://campus.d211.org/campus/portal/township.jsp.

Safety and Security

School Resource Officer

In partnership with the Hoffman Estates, Palatine and Schaumburg Police Departments, District 211 employs a full-time sworn police officer to be on-site each school day. The School Resource Officer (SRO) assists the school with all facets of school security.

Lockdown Push Stations

We have installed blue lockdown push-button stations in each building. These devices are similar to the standard fire alarm pull station that you would find in any public setting. The Lockdown push buttons allow any staff member to initiate our Lockdown and Run, Hide, Survive procedures quickly and without delay.

School Visitors

All visitors, including parents, to District 211 buildings must provide a valid photo ID upon entering. A visitor tag will be provided and must be worn for the duration of the visitor’s time at school. Food deliveries are not permitted. To ensure our staff is focused on student and building safety and security, we strongly discourage families from coming onto campus for non-essential food and material deliveries.

Parking

Those parking at District 211 schools must display a valid parking permit. Visitor parking spaces are closely monitored and are reserved for short-term use by parents and other visitors. Recurring violations will result in vehicle being towed at owners expense.

Student ID Cards

Students must have their school ID card in their possession at all times while at school. The ID card must be provided to school staff members upon request and visible for entry to the school.

Safety Concerns

Students, parents, and community members are encouraged to report safety concerns using an online form available per school. Reports may be anonymous, if desired.

Safety and Security and Student Supervison Staff

All staff have responsibility for and involvement in keeping our schools operating safely. We have specific staff that are assigned duties relative to student safety in all buildings. Our Student Supervisor Teams are focused on monitoring students and assisting administration in maintaining a supportive and safe environment for all students. Additionally, each school maintains a Safety and Security Team whose sole responsibility is that of monitoring our campuses for safety and security concerns. This staff is identifiable, trained in emergency responses, and they work closely with school administration to keep our campuses safe and secure.

The forms by school are available below:

School Resource Officers

Palatine High School

Michael Cohen

Officer Michael Cohen has been a member of the Palatine Police Department for five years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration and a minor in Fire Science from Western Illinois University. Officer Cohen currently serves as a Crime Scene Technician, Field Training Officer, and certified Juvenile Specialist for the department. Officer Cohen’s other certifications and trainings include: CPR, AED, & Narcan certification, Advanced Impairment training, Sexual Assault Investigator training, and de-escalation training.

Fremd High School

Martin Peter van der Hoek

Officer van der Hoek has been with the Palatine Police Department's patrol division for eight years. During that time, he served as one of the department's forensic technicians, a drone pilot, a field training officer and a firearms and medical instructor. He is also a forensic technician for the regional major crimes task force. Prior to joining the Palatine Police Department, Officer van der Hoek interned for then-Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and served on active duty for six years in the U.S. Army.

Conant High School

Matthew Teipel

Officer Matt Teipel has been a member of the Hoffman Estates Police Department for over 22 years. He grew up in the area and was a graduate of District 211. Officer Teipel worked in the gang and drug unit for over 10 years. In addition, he was a traffic officer and is currently certified in truck enforcement. Officer Teipel took great pride working as a field training officer training newly hired police officers. He also assisted with the Hoffman Estates Police Explorer program training 14-to 20-year-olds who are interested in law enforcement. Officer Teipel is a certified juvenile specialist.

Schaumburg High School

Elmer Guzman

Detective Elmer Guzman has been with the Schaumburg Police Department for 7 years. He was inspired to become a police officer to make a change in the world and serve as a positive role model for others. Detective Guzman was in the medical field for a year after graduating from University of Iowa and holds a B.A. in Health and Human Physiology. At the Schaumburg Police Department, Detective Guzman serves on the Honor Guard, as a firearms instructor and as an active threat response instructor. He has also been part of the TAC Unit and Major Case Assistant Team (MCAT). Detective Guzman is excited to join the Saxon community and build positive relationships with students and staff.

Hoffman Estates High School

Jason Gessert

Officer Jason Gessert has been a member of the Hoffman Estates police department for 19 years. Growing up, Officer Gessert wanted to do three things: be a United States Marine, a police officer and an astronaut. He served in the Marine Corps for four years after high school, being deployed in Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. After being honorably discharged from his military service, he actively pursued his next dream of becoming a police officer and was hired by the Village of Hoffman Estates, where he has been an evidence technician, field training officer and crisis intervention team member. He is also a certified peer support member and strongly advocates for the mental health of first responders. He has a heart to serve, and has not given up on serving in outer space to fulfill his third dream.

District 211 North Campus

Matt Cholsta

Officer Matt Chlosta is a Chicago native and first-generation Polish-American who speaks fluent Polish. Prior to joining the police department, he worked in marketing and product management, providing the opportunity to live and work in Europe for a year and a half. He has been a police officer for more than three years.