In an effort to enhance student safety, the Brevard County School Board has announced the installation of metal detectors in all high schools across the district. Melbourne High School will be the first to implement the new security measure, with the system set to go live on October 9th.
Melbourne High School’s principal recently addressed Bulldog families in a video, outlining the details of this new initiative. The principal emphasized the importance of ensuring student and staff safety, noting that the installation of metal detectors is a prudent step toward creating a more secure campus.
What Students and Families Need to Know
The new metal detectors will require all students and visitors to Melbourne High School to undergo security screening upon arrival. In preparation for the October 9th launch, a series of training videos will be shared with students and families. These videos will cover what items students can bring to school and how to pack them to ensure a smooth screening process.
Between October 9th and October 18th, the school will open its gates earlier, at 7:45 a.m., to give students time to adjust to the new procedure. The principal urged families to talk with their children about the process and prepare them for the possibility of needing to remove certain items, such as binders, from their backpacks before going through the metal detectors. After this adjustment period, gates will return to the usual opening time of 8:00 a.m.
Navigating the Screening Process
Students and parents are encouraged to arrive early to avoid delays. The principal acknowledged that while there may be some mixed emotions about the new security measures, the focus remains on the well-being of everyone on campus. “It is my most important job to see to the security and safety of our students, faculty, and staff,” the principal said. As both an administrator and a parent of a Melbourne High School student, the principal expressed confidence in the metal detectors as a reasonable and effective solution.
The training videos will also be made available for parents to review at home, allowing families to have discussions about the process and help students adapt. Families with any concerns or questions are encouraged to reach out to the school administration.
The principal closed the message by asking for the cooperation of students and parents as the school transitions to the new system. “I believe the implementation of this new metal detector system is a prudent and reasonable step in that direction, and I know if you and I work together, we can implement this successfully,” the principal stated.
