October 11, 2024
Dear Farnsley Families,
Safety is our number one priority and we are always looking for ways to enhance our building security. The Jefferson County Board of Education voted last year to install weapon detection systems in every JCPS middle and high school. All JCPS high schools implemented the technology last school year, and now it’s our turn.
It’s important to remind you that while weapon detection systems are another tool for us to maintain safety in our schools, they do not guarantee a weapon will not make it into the building. We must all continue to work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our school community.
When the systems are installed, people entering the building will walk through an open-air kiosk that uses sensor technology to quickly scan for weapons. The system can identify dangerous items inside bags and pockets. For that reason, your child(ren) can walk through the sensors without removing their concealed belongings or separating themselves from personal items. Evolv scans as people walk through in real-time, ensuring that your child’s entry to school is not delayed. If an item in their possession alarms the system, the system’s green lights turn to red, and a photo of the student will be shown on a tablet visible to trained staff. The photo will have a red box around the potentially dangerous item. A trained staff member will then search the area indicated in the alert.
The Evolv system emits extremely low-frequency radio waves (ELF), similar to what you see in anti-theft devices in stores. You can view Evolv’s Health and Safety details on the JCPS Evolv Technology website.
This entry procedure is minimally invasive and allows the majority of students to simply walk through the new screening system without interruption and safely head to class. Our staff members have been trained on the system and we ask for your support as we work together to maximize the benefit of this technology. We encourage you to share this information with your child(ren) so they are not surprised to see the systems when they are installed. When we have an official date for our school’s implementation, we will let you know.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. We appreciate all you do to support our school community.
Sincerely,
Principal Smith
Farnsley Middle School