We are proud to announce a new partnership with the I Love U Guys Foundation, which focuses on crisis response and post-crisis reunification. Their programs are used in more than 45,000 school districts and organizations around the world. 

I Love U Guys uses a Standard Response Protocol, similar to the Incident Command safety protocol St. Louis Park Public Schools currently uses, as well as provides support for reunification plans, staff training and safety exercises. 

A team of St. Louis Park Public Schools staff attended formal training in Duluth in April. All district staff will receive training in the protocols and other emergency preparedness best practices as part of back to school professional development.

Erika Scott, early learning program supervisor at Central Early Learning Center, attended the training last month. “As an SLP parent and an administrator, student safety is of paramount importance and I am confident that adopting the I Love U Guys response protocols will better prepare our schools for a thorough and comprehensive response to any crises.”

Erika explained that one of the greatest strengths of the Standard Response Protocol (response to a crisis) and the Standard Reunification Method (plan for reuniting students and parents/caregivers after an event) is the emphasis on using clear, concise, and plain language across all sites so there is no room for misunderstanding. “Introducing all staff and students to this language and protocol will develop a muscle memory that allows them to move into action swiftly. The continuity in the messaging across sites and within the parent community will position us very well for an effective and transparent crisis response.”

“One critical takeaway I left with is how crucial it is for building leaders to form relationships with first responders. Personal relationships and a shared vision for a systemic crisis response protocol will have an enormous impact on how swiftly and effectively we can respond. I look forward to forging these relationships with our community first responder partners.” 

The I Love U Guys partnership ensures that our district keeps abreast of nationwide best practices in school emergency preparedness and has access to materials and training annually. 

A little history for our readers. The “I Love U Guys” Foundation was started in 2006 by Ellen and John-Michael Keyes following a school shooting that took the life of their daughter, Emily. On that day Emily sent two text messages... One to her mother, Ellen, "I love u guys. K" and to her father, John-Michael, "I love you guys." Their mission is to restore and protect the joy of youth through educational programs and positive actions in collaboration with families, schools, communities, organizations and government entities.