BASA Families,

As BCSS has shared, on Jan. 8, 2025, the Barrow County Board of Education voted to approve the immediate implementation of the OpenGate Weapons Detection System at our county’s three high schools. The devices have arrived for BASA to begin screening.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, there will be a Digital Learning Day for Barrow Arts & Sciences students. This will allow our staff time to familiarize themselves with the new devices and the procedures needed to ensure a smooth and successful implementation. Teachers will contact students through Remind and/or the Canvas Learning Management System with expectations for Digital Learning assignments. Breakfast and lunch will be available with regular pricing/eligibility for pick up at BASA from 8am-8:30am and 11:30am-12:30pm. 

We know the addition of these devices raises some questions. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect these first few weeks.

• Everyone should be prepared to walk through the devices upon entry and at various random location screenings throughout the day.
• Because processing times may be slower in the first days, we ask student drivers and car riders to try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the first bell.
• Please have all Chromebooks/laptops out of your bag and ready to hand to a staff member standing on the side of the devices.
• If possible, please limit the bags and items you are bringing to school.
• If the device sounds and shows a red light, the person must step aside for additional screening.
• Read FAQ concerning the devices.

Please know we will do our best to make the screening process go as smoothly as possible and we will continue to improve the process over time.

We thank our Blazer community for their cooperation, support, and patience as we work together through this change.

Thank you again,
Thomas Thrailkill, BASA Principal