School District of Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA - The efforts to combat gun violence in Philadelphia has reached the city’s middle schools as School District of Philadelphia officials say they’ll begin periodically screening students for weapons.Beginning Monday, May 9, 6th through 8th grade students will be subject to the periodic weapons screenings.
The district says that the screenings will take place at six schools per day and be conducted at every middle school and elementary schools with middle grades.
Every school will be screened at least once before the end of the school year. The district says the screenings will be conducted by school safety personnel in the presence of at least one school leader.
The screenings will utilize hand wands and metal detectors to screen for weapons, and all bags, backpacks and personal items will be checked.