Raptor Badge Alert system strengthens Unit 5 school safety

With the push of a button, staff can request help without having to reach for a phone.

Unit 5 is the only school district in our region currently using this additional layer of safety technology.

“Keeping our schools safe means making sure staff have the tools they need,” Superintendent Kristen Weikle said. “As a district, we invest and make plans for proactive safety measures. We hope this added protection allows our students and staff to keep their primary focus on learning.”

You may have already noticed this technology in our schools, as staff members have been wearing Raptor Alert Badges since August.

Once activated, the system identifies where the alert originated, helping administrators and emergency responders — when needed — reach the right location quickly. The badges work throughout school campuses, including gyms, portable classrooms, and even in areas where cell service or Wi-Fi may be limited.

The system has already proven its value in the first few weeks, and its worth goes far beyond threat assessment. A staff member used the badge to request help for a student experiencing a medical emergency, allowing additional staff to respond quickly.

Funding for the Raptor Badge Alert system comes from the County Schools Facility Sales Tax, one of the school safety investments the district discussed with the community during the referendum.

“Our staff have worked hard to strengthen emergency preparedness across our schools. Raptor builds on that work by improving communication, accountability, and our ability to respond quickly when an emergency occurs,” said Unit 5 Director of Safety and Security Shane Hill. “At the end of the day, technology is only one part of school safety. It’s our people, their training, and their ability to confidently put that training into action that make the difference.”