January 24, 2025
Dear DCPS Students and Families,
On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, all Dickenson County Public Schools will have a new weapons detection system. OPENGATE ® is a Groundbreaking Weapons Detection System designed for the automatic screening of people in transit, including their luggage, backpacks, and bags, for the detection of high-caliber assault weapons, handguns, knives, and IED devices. OPENGATE systems are used throughout the country at metro and railway stations, airport and port terminal entrances, convention centers, museums, stadiums, arenas, theaters, theme parks, schools, and universities; generally, all places open to the public are characterized by high access flow. OPENGATE ® is a state-of-the-art wire-free screening portal with two independent and self-powered pillars.
With the new system, a more streamlined scanning system is possible. The OPENGATE® sets a new standard, offering seamless screening without compromising efficiency or user experience. OPENGATE® identifies threats such as guns, large-caliber weapons, and other weapons with exceptional accuracy. Effective weapon detection is critical for maintaining safety in high-traffic areas.
In the next several days, we will share more information with our students and families regarding any changes in morning school entrance procedures. We will inform our parents and families of an updated list of what children should and should not bring to school or in their backpacks. With this updated system, the efficiency and accuracy will reduce false alarms, enabling security personnel to focus on real risks. We will share the latest updates with families as we implement the new system.
I sincerely thank you for your continued support and patience as we implement this procedure. While we want to accomplish this process with as little disruption as possible, there will be some issues to continue to work through.
While many safeguards are already in place in our school division, this will serve as an additional layer of protection, helping to further ensure the safety of children and staff. This is our highest priority.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kindest regards,
Haydee L. Robinson,
Division Superintendent