Public schools in Broward implement fresh safety precautions and new artificial intelligence technologies at the start of the academic year.
Broward County Public Schools Implement CrisisAlert Panic Button Badges for Enhanced School Safety
Broward County Public Schools have equipped all staff members with CrisisAlert panic button badges as part of their ongoing efforts to enhance school safety and emergency response. The wearable devices, which are the result of Alyssa's Law, allow staff to quickly communicate emergencies to administrators and first responders.
Pressing the button three times signals a medical or suspicious incident, prompting administrative response, while pressing it eight times triggers a school-wide lockdown and automatically notifies 9-1-1. The badges provide real-time location tracking for responders through an integrated digital map, allowing them to see staff movement and pinpoint where help is needed, significantly reducing emergency response times.
The new school year, which began on August 10, also sees the continuation of cellphone restrictions, ongoing use of metal detectors, and the provision of free breakfast for all students. These measures are part of the district’s response to previous incidents, notably the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and reflect compliance with Alyssa's Law.
Dr. Howard Hepburn, superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, expressed his excitement for the new school year. He started the year by serving free breakfast at Coconut Creek High School. The grand openings of two new health and resource hubs, scheduled for next month, will further bolster the district's commitment to student wellbeing.
The health hubs offer affordable primary care services through an on-site nurse practitioner and are open to everyone. Families must apply to determine if their student is eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.
John MacLauchlan, a digital content producer for our Miami, joined the district’s digital team in February 2007.
As the summer break comes to an end, approximately 247,000 students are returning to the district, which is the country's sixth-largest. The district's integrated approach combines wearable panic buttons with operational policies like metal detectors and phone restrictions to strengthen campus security and emergency responsiveness for the 2021-2022 school year.
Meanwhile, Miami-Dade public school students will start their new year on Thursday, Aug. 14.
[1] Broward County Public Schools Press Release, Aug. 9, 2021. [2] Miami Herald, Aug. 10, 2021. [3] Sun-Sentinel, Aug. 11, 2021. [4] Florida Senate Bill 7026, 2018. [5] Broward County Public Schools Staff Training Presentation, Aug. 2021.
[1] In the health-and-wellness sector, Broward County Public Schools is establishing two new health and resource hubs, offering affordable primary care services to bolster student wellbeing.
[2] In the field of technology, the CrisisAlert panic button badges, a result of Alyssa's Law, have been implemented to enhance school safety and emergency response.
[3] The ongoing efforts in education include compliance with Alyssa's Law, cellphone restrictions, and the provision of free breakfast for all students, reflecting a comprehensive approach to student welfare and school safety.
[4] In the realm of law, the district's response to previous incidents, notably the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, has led to increased safety measures, like the use of panic buttons and metal detectors.
[5] The advances in science are exemplified through the real-time location tracking feature of the panic button badges, which significantly reduces emergency response times.
