District 21 issues alert after strangers approach students

Officials in Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 issued a safety alert Wednesday, a day after a small group of students was approached by strangers while walking from school.

According to the district's statement, parents of students at Kilmer Elementary School in Buffalo Grove called contacted the school's principal Tuesday night to inform him of the situation.

According to their account, the students were walking from their bus stop in Wheeling Tuesday afternoon when a man and woman in a black sedan approached. The driver asked the students to get in the car, but they refused and are safe, the district said.

District 21 officials say they are working closely with Wheeling police as they investigate, and police are increasing patrols. The district also placed an additional presence on the bus beginning Wednesday afternoon.

"Our students are safe today because they ignored the man in the car and told trusted adults about the situation," the statement reads. "Please continue to talk with your children about safety tips for before and after school and make sure they know to never talk to or approach a stranger. Also, please remind them to always walk with other students as much as possible."