We want our schools to be safe and welcoming learning environments that nurture students’ cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being. We believe the safest schools foster a climate of support, respect, and community. How we respond to incidents is a vital component of school safety, as well.

Waunakee Community School District has incorporated the Standard Response Protocol into its emergency procedures in line with guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of School Safety and national recommendations on school safety.

It incorporates many of the concepts we already use but offers more clarity and consistency in terminology among schools and first responders across the county, state, and country. Each school year, students will receive age-appropriate instruction on what to do in each of these scenarios. In addition to active drills, instruction will include things such as structured lessons, class discussions, and videos.

Active drills help students practice what they learn. These include fire drills, tornado drills, and school safety drills (Hold, Secure, Lockdown). Schools will communicate with families when lockdown drills take place. 

School is better, safer and stronger when we share our concerns! Students are taught that if they are aware of a safety concern, they need to tell an adult either in-person or via a Reporting Tool. 

Waunakee Community School District utilizes Speak Up, Speak Out (SUSO), a state-wide tool for reporting school safety concerns.

SUSO is managed by the Office of School Safety (OSS) in the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Resource Center staff work around the clock to respond to reports by communicating directly with school administrators, law enforcement, and school counselors. The app and website both allow you to submit relevant screenshots, pictures, voicemails, and videos.

Speak Up, Speak Out can be accessed by:

• Download the SUSO app (Android and iOS)

• Visit speakup.widoj.gov and click on “Report a Safety Concern”

• Visit waunakee.k12.wi.us and click on “Report a Safety Concern” under Quick Links

• Call 1-800-MY-SUSO-1 or by texting “SUSO” to 738477

• Submit a TIP link: https://www.p3campus.com/tipform.aspx?ID=5150

As we enter the second year of utilizing Visitor Aware, we want to take a moment to remind you of this important Visitor Management System in our K-12 school buildings. Visitor Aware continues to streamline the check-in process for visitors while enhancing the safety of our students, staff, and families.

Key Features to Remember:

• Initial Check-In: If you are visiting our schools for the first time this year, please remember to bring a state ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) for verification. This allows us to ensure a safe environment by checking visitor identities against national databases.
• Facial Recognition Technology: After your first visit, checking in will be quick and easy—just use your photo at the front office kiosk. Visitor Aware employs facial recognition technology to identify registered visitors efficiently.
• Enhanced Accountability: By tracking who is in our schools in real-time, we can improve our emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Visitors must also indicate where they are going in a building.
• Strengthen Staff and Visitor Communication: Visitor Aware promotes clear communication among front office staff, principals, and visitors. If a visitor is unrecognized or requires further review, a discreet notification is sent to prompt the front office to contact the principal or the Office of School Safety. This system utilizes technology similar to facial recognition used in mobile phones to document and authorize entry for all visitors.
• Support for Families: Our school office staff are always available to assist you, especially if you have questions about the check-in process or need help with your first visit.

Visitor Aware plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and welcoming atmosphere for our school community. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in helping us ensure the safety of our learning environment.

If you have additional questions, please contact us.