What's New?
OCS Security Update
Onslow County Schools has purchased Evolv Weapons Detection systems for each of our seven traditional high schools. All systems will be installed and staff will received appropriate training before the first day of school.
Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, this system will be used at the beginning of each school day in our high schools to further strengthen the security of our campuses. All students will pass through the detectors on their way to class.
The detectors are open-air kiosks that use sensor technology to quickly scan for weapons. The state-of-the-art electronic security screening system identifies dangerous items inside bags and pockets, allowing users to keep their keys, cellphones, and wallets in their pockets as they walk through. Evolv scans as people walk through in real-time, ensuring that your child's entry to school is not delayed. If the system does not alert, indicating no potentially concerning objects were detected, users can simply continue walking and carry on with their day. If the system does alert when someone walks through, that person will be given further directions by a trained staff member.
The district looks forward to the implementation of this new system, and we are proud to continue bolstering the safety and security of our schools.
You can see more about the Evolv system here: Evolv Demonstration Video.
Vaping Prevention & Education
Onslow County Schools is very concerned about the well-being of our students. Instruction, safety and security, and student and staff wellness have been identified by our superintendent as district priorities for the 2024-2025 school year.
Vaping is a national problem and has increasingly become an issue in Onslow County, affecting more and younger people every day. To help combat the proliferation of vapes and vaping, Onslow County Schools is installing Triton vape detectors/safety sensors in the bathrooms of all our middle and high schools.
The installation of vape detectors is one part of combating the issue of vaping with our students. A second part includes education through the implementation of CATCH My Breath, a free, evidence-based youth vaping prevention program. The district's health and PE teachers will be trained on the program during professional development prior the start of the school year. This will equip our staff to present information on the health dangers of vapes and vaping as part of their classes.
In addition to vapes, the devices can also detect THC and loud, potentially threatening noises.
We are grateful for the opportunity to address this important issue in our schools with the help of a $700,000 school safety grant awarded by the NC Department of Public Instruction's Center for Safer Schools (CFSS).