Students were surprised to see weapon detectors in place on the Kiss and Ride side doors on Thursday, May 8th. This is because South Lakes is one of the schools participating in a series of safety tests throughout Fairfax County. 

The weapon detectors were not permanent, and were only utilized on one day. This has happened across FCPS. Every week, a random school is selected to partake in the safety tests. Students and parents are not to be alerted ahead of time if their school is selected, but an email is sent at the end of the school day with results from the metal detectors.

The detectors were only implemented in the Kiss and Ride side of the school. Students who took the bus did not have to go through the detectors, and some were unaware of its presence in the building. Students who drive to school had to go through the detectors, however. 

It was required for students to take out their laptops before going through the screening process. Students who set off the detectors had to go to a table on the side to have their bag searched.

“I was startled when I saw the metal detectors since I hadn’t known they were going to be there that day,” Sophomore Katie Bagley says. “I wasn’t very surprised after, because of all the fights that had taken place before spring break.”

“I think it was kind of pointless because it was only on one door, and not on buses. I also saw people go in through other doors to avoid having to go through,” Sophomore Kyra Huppi explains.

“I know a lot of people that were late, because the closer it got to 8:10, the longer the line got,” Bagley adds.

“I think that if they had a better system of making sure they could do it properly, and also that it doesn’t go off on random items, it would be beneficial,” Huppi continues. “My brother had a water bottle with him, and it just went off.”

At the end of the day, students seemed to recognize the importance of safety that the weapons detectors had on the school. “It could be beneficial for our school if there’s a way to make it more efficient,” Bagley finishes.