WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools are preparing to welcome back 54,000 students. The week before school starts is filled with information and events to help families plan for the new year.
Metal Detectors in Middle and High Schools
On Tuesday, WS/FCS offered a first-hand look at the metal detectors each middle and high school received. Middle schools and high schools will each get two metal detectors. The metal detectors were paid for by a federal grant.
The district plans to strictly use the metal detectors at large events like football and basketball games. If there is a verified threat, the metal detectors can be used inside the schools, but the district said they don’t plan to use these in schools on a daily basis, because it takes a long time to get students through them.
"Some of these things, I hope, will put there minds at ease to see that we're taking steps, are there other things that we can do, obviously there are always additional things we can put in place but we'll revaluate and readjust as we move forward," said Jonathan Wilson, WSFCS Chief Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Officer.
For all events, the district will have a clear bag policy. This means those attending sporting events, or events with the school, will need to have a clear bag to hold any items that are needed for that event.
"I think it makes everybody feel a lot safer, it makes everybody just feel like nothings going to happen to them, they can go in and have a good time and not have to worry about anything," said Hudson Morgan, an East Forsyth High School Senior.
The district plans to continue using the metal detecting wands, as well.
WS/FCS said it will monitor how body scanners inside Guilford County high schools work this year and could re-evaluate the use for Metal Detectors.
New Crisis Response Protocol
One of the newest changes for the WS/FCS school year is the Standard Response Protocol that was developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation.
The security team shared information about this year’s new Standard Response Protocol, or the terminology the district and local law enforcement will now use during any event or crisis response.
It focuses on the five terms: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. This protocol is being pushed throughout the community, so everyone knows how to handle the situation.
School leaders learned about it and will teach it to staff before school starts. Students will then learn about the protocol when they return to school.
"The more standardized in our protocol, the more we practice it, the more it becomes just second nature, the easier it is to handle when a crisis comes in," said Rusty Hall, East Forsyth High School Principal.
Also, schools will use the Standard Reunification Method. This is something that is discussed with students and their families. In the event that they need to reunite parents and students in an emergency, the district will be implementing a system for that procedure.
Access Controlled Doors and Security Cameras
The district is finishing their 2016 bond projects, which include adding access controlled doors to every school and an increase in security cameras. The district will finish it this school year.
It started with elementary and middle schools, but will now add to high schools to that list. It will make all doors across campus have the same control system.
The district will be able to control who comes through the front doors and the students will have codes to access different buildings.
"I feel like it will make everybody more comfortable just actually, no random people just trying to come in," said East Forsyth High School Senior Jaylen Alexander-Raynor.
"I am excited honestly and I feel like this is a very good investment with the whole security because a lot is going on in the world so I think it's very needed," said Lauren Alexander-Raynor, an East Forsyth High School Senior.
East Forsyth High School is a good example where there are several buildings on campus. All of the doors have been locked, so if a student needs to run to a different building, they would have to knock on the door and get someone's attention to get back inside. Now, they will be able to punch in a code to go in between buildings.
Parent Hotline Continues
WS/FCS will continue with its Parent Hotline for the 2022-23 school year. It will operate every school day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Parents can use the number for answers to questions or to be connected to district experts as it relates to transportation, school policies, procedures, technology, or other concerns. The hotline number is (336) 661-3120.