Monica Lewis: Latest News

PHILADELPHIA - Starting Monday, the School District of Philadelphia will begin screening middle school students for weapons in an effort to combat gun violence in the city. Students in the sixth through eighth grades will be subject to periodic weapons screenings. The district says the screenings will take place at six schools each day and each middle school and elementary school with middle grades will be screened at least once by the end of the school year. There have been two incidents of weapons in or near school property in the city, according to the district. ___MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"We want to make sure people understand we’re doing everything possible to keep our schools the safe heavens we believe them to be," said Monica Lewis with the School District of Philadelphia.According to the district, the screenings will be conducted by school safety personnel with at least one school leader. Hand wands and metal detectors will be used to screen for weapons and all bags, backpacks, and personal items will be checked. Advertisement

PHILADELPHIA - High schools in the Philadelphia school district will start at 9 a.m. this fall as the next wave of changes that officials hope will improve transportation and education. Spokesperson Monica Lewis said the district's plan to phase to a three-tiered bell schedule started last fall, impacting kindergarten through 8th grade. "The American Academy of Pediatrics whim have stated that a later start time for high school students would help them arrive to school more alert and prepared to learn," Lewis said. In a letter to families, the district said the plan also "promotes safer travel in the mornings" since most high school students are responsible for their own commute to school. "This effort improves the overall transportation experience for our students, even as we continue to face a nationwide bus driver shortage," the letter said. FOX 29's Jennifer Joyce spoke to parents who are onboard with the change. "I would rather him go in a little later a little lighter out in the morning considering all the things going on in city," Cherise Dandy-Miller said. Philadelphia isn't the first local district to push its start time back for high school students.

PHILADELPHIA - Parents and guardians are furious over learning that their children who go to school at Mitchell Elementary School in Southwest Philly did not have their scheduled breakfast and lunch provided for them on Thursday."Five last night I’m in my son's bookbag to get homework and I see a letter and I read the letter and I’m like what. Nobody showed up to feed the kids," Catrese Hopewell said.In the letter, the school explains food service staff did not report to Mitchell to serve breakfast or lunch.Monica Lewis with the School District of Philadelphia says food in fact was on site but no one was there to distribute it."Everyday meals are delivered to schools the day before.

PHILADELPHIA - The School District of Philadelphia held its annual backpack giveaway Friday morning where they gave out 6,500 bags to families. “This is the 12th annual backpack giveaway. This year we’re doing things a little bit differently to honor social distancing measurement.