Broward High School Students Must Pass Through Metal Detectors This Year

IMPORTANT SECURITY UPDATE

Submitted by Broward County Public Schools

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) students, parents and staff, continues to prioritize the safety and security of its schools, students and staff. As an added layer of security this year, metal detectors have been installed in all BCPS high schools.  

Starting on the first day of school, August 12, 2024, all students and visitors entering BCPS high schools must pass through metal detectors monitored by security personnel and school staff.

The District asks parents and families to support this initiative by ensuring that students are aware of the system and prepared to follow new procedures.  

Beginning this year,

• High school entry points have been consolidated to ensure all students are screened for weapons prior to entering the school.
• Students must wear their IDs to pass through the detectors. They can carry their backpacks or bags and will not need to empty pockets or remove shoes, cellphones, keys, metal on clothes or belts as those items will not alert the system.
• Some items will result in an alert and must be placed on adjacent tables to be screened by security staff. These include laptops, large eyeglass cases, musical instruments, umbrellas and 3-ring binders.  These items can be collected once students are cleared for entry.
• Students who alert the system when passing through the metal detectors will be screened separately. School staff will be available to support them during this process.

This added security measure at high schools may result in slight delays at entry.  Parents and students should plan accordingly.  Please allow extra time for screening and ensure your student does not bring weapons or other prohibited items to school.  While the metal detectors will only be used in our high schools at this time, it is important that parents of students in all grades are aware of what their students bring to school and remind them that prohibited items are never permitted on campus.

The support of our parents, students and families is essential to keeping our schools safe and secure. Thank you for doing your part to ensure a successful rollout of the metal detection system at our high schools. 

For additional information on the newly installed metal detectors at high schools, please visit browardschools.com/metaldetectors.

We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday, August 12.  Thank you.