Latest news with #studentSafety
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Philadelphia-area school district leader reflects on new AI safety system added this year
Some schools in Upper Darby have a new security system powered by artificial intelligence Some schools in Upper Darby have a new security system powered by artificial intelligence Some schools in Upper Darby have a new security system powered by artificial intelligence As the 2024–2025 school year wraps up, the superintendent of Delaware County's largest school system is reflecting on the impact of new technology designed to keep students safe. Upper Darby School District Superintendent Daniel McGarry said since its installation on Dec.11, 2024, Evolv has detected a total of seven knives or box cutters, two brass knuckles and seven pepper spray devices across the three schools. "We don't have any evidence that these weapons were coming on campus as a use of force," McGarry said. "It was usually an awkwardness like, 'I had this because I was cutting food.'" Evolv, which utilizes artificial intelligence to scan for potential weapons, was installed at Upper Darby High School, Beverly Hills Middle School and Drexel Hill Middle School. "There was fear and some trepidation that it would take hours to get kids into the school, that we would over-identify and improperly search kids," McGarry said. "Thanks to the work of our kids and our school community, none of those things actually happened." When staff found weapons, they confiscated them and turned them over to police. Police conducted a background check on families and, in some cases, a threat assessment. Students were disciplined for having a weapon on school property, but they were not determined to be a threat in any of the cases. Installing a weapons-detection system had been in the works for years, but the idea gained renewed interest after two firearms-related incidents in the district at the beginning of the school year. McGarry said a student brought a gun to Upper Darby High School on Sept. 3, 2024, and then 10 days later, another student brought in an AR-15-style magazine. McGarry previously told CBS News Philadelphia the weapons detection system is "not a metal detector." The superintendent said it's the same technology used at Lincoln Financial Field. "Since we had the gun in the beginning of the school year, we have not found any guns on any individuals on campus at any of our secondary schools," McGarry said. Certain harmless objects like Chromebooks are known to set off the scanners. "We had almost 800,000 visitors from Dec. 11 to the last time we gave this update, which was this past month," Superintendent McGarry said. "Of those 800,000 visitors, there were 70,000 alerts. The vast majority of those alerts were for umbrellas, computers left in backpacks and eyeglass kits." McGarry said he is confident that as students continue to get used to the technology, they will be more forthcoming about removing their laptops and eyeglass cases from their backpacks. "To put anything in the middle of the school year, just weeks before you go on winter break, and to have the success we have, speaks to the type of people who work at this organization," McGarry said.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Ban on night travel for university students among proposals submitted to MOHE after UPSI tragedy, says minister
PUTRAJAYA, June 11 — The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has received various recommendations from relevant parties on measures to prevent tragedies like the crash which claimed the lives of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students, early Monday morning. Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that among the suggestions received was a proposal for university students to travel during the day, instead of at night, to enhance safety. 'Some have suggested that university students and undergraduates should travel during the day rather than at night, to enhance safety,' he told the media after the 'Luncheon Talk with Editors' session, in conjunction with the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025, at his ministry, here, yesterday. Zambry also said that he had been informed of a separate accident involving an express bus, early yesterday morning, which reportedly had students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) among its passengers. 'I only received information about the accident this morning. Fortunately, there were no injuries,' he said. In the tragic incident early Monday morning, 15 UPSI students lost their lives when the bus they were traveling in overturned at KM53 of the East-West Highway (JRTB), near Tasik Banding, Gerik. Meanwhile, media reported that 28 passengers, including 13 UMPSA students, survived after their express bus crashed into the rear of a trailer at KM161.5 of the East Coast Highway (LPT), eastbound, shortly after midnight Monday night. — Bernama
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Cambridge boat race clash with travellers' funfair sparks safety fears after student 'attacked by catapult-wielding teens who spit at rowers and use sandwiches as missiles'
The safety of Cambridge University students is feared to be at risk amid a potential flashpoint between historic boat races and a travellers' fair on the same weekend. Concerns have intensified after a student rower putting their boat away was hit by a metal nut fired from a catapult by teenagers sitting across the river last summer. Other incidents in previous years have included youths spitting at boats while leaning over the edge of bridges as well as sandwiches and bananas being used as missiles. Another clash is feared ahead of the May Bumps rowing event which takes place between June 18 and 21; with the Midsummer Fair on between June 18 and 22. The fair is a popular traveller gathering held on Midsummer Common, opposite many college boathouses, and is one of England's oldest such events dating back to 1211. But a spate of recent incidents has led Dr Isabel Nimmo, chairwoman of Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC), to express fears about student safety. In an email to college captains, Dr Nimmo said she was considering not racing on the Friday and Saturday, which are the two busiest days of the fair, for safety reasons. She has also asked police to patrol the river to avoid any problems, although pointed out that there were not any problems when the two events clashed years ago. One boats captain, who did not want to be named, told The Times: 'None of us want Bumps to be cancelled, but we also don't want it to be unsafe either. 'When the fair's on we're usually advised to steer clear of the boathouses entirely so I'm definitely worried about racing on the last two days.' One rower told university newspaper Varsity that, during a previous Midsummer Fair, a group of three young people used 'a catapult to fire metal 10mm nuts' at him and his friend while putting their boat away – one of which left his leg bleeding. Another rower, speaking about training during past Midsummer Fairs, told the publication: 'Normally it's manageable; the only thing to look out for is the occasional person throwing stuff at you.' Captains are also worried about the 'Boatie Mash', which is a party after the Bumps in a Cambridge club shared with locals – and have advised rowers not to attend. But the Friends, Families and Travellers charity, which combats discrimination against travellers, has accused CUCBC members of promoting 'harmful stereotypes'. A spokesman said: 'It is alarming that, despite no evidence, time and resources are being directed toward scapegoating and demonising gypsy and traveller people.' The Showmen's Guild, which organises the fair, said: 'We have meetings every year with the Police and SAG [safety advisory group] that is formed to deal with this event. 'We have never at any of our meetings had any reports of incidents regarding rowers from any of those involved with the SAG group. 'To my knowledge this is the first year we have a clash with Bumps; we cannot control anything that happens outside of our perimeter for the event.' A CUCBC spokesman said: 'A small number of boat clubs expressed concerns about the timing of May Bumps this year, as it partly overlaps with the Midsummer Fair, another mass spectator event. 'Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs have held positive discussions with relevant local bodies and are not concerned that Midsummer Fair will interfere with the smooth running of the event.'
Times
3 days ago
- Times
Town v gown: safety fears for Cambridge rowers with fair date clash
Since Cambridge University was established in 1209 clashes between locals and students — or town and gown — have periodically reared their head. But although some underlying resentment may remain, violence between the two groups looked to have ended. That was until last summer when one student rower, while putting their boat away, was hit with a 10mm nut fired from a catapult by a group of teenagers sitting across the river. They and the other rowers had to sneak out of a side door of the clubhouse as they continued to be targeted. This and a spate of other incidents, such as youths spitting at boats off bridges and sandwiches being used as missiles, have prompted the chairwoman of Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC) to write to college captains to express concern about student safety. College boat clubs are being given the option not to race on the Friday and Saturday of Bumps ALAMY In her email, Dr Isabel Nimmo said the next flashpoint could be a weekend this month between the May Bumps, an annual set of college boat club races on the River Cam, and the Midsummer Fair, a centuries-old cultural event rooted in Gypsy and Traveller histories, held on the common opposite many college boathouses. She said she had contacted the police and asked them to have officers patrolling the river to avoid any conflict, adding that colleges were also in contact with the local force. Nimmo said that after concerns were raised with her about the clash she was proposing giving clubs the option of not racing on the Friday and Saturday of Bumps — the two busiest days of Midsummer Fair — for safety reasons. She added that any college that chose not to take part on those days could have their finish positions preserved from any racing on Wednesday and Thursday. In Bumps the finishing position is the starting order for next year's event, prompting some participants to question why any crew should bother competing at all. • The truth about misbehaviour at Cambridge Nimmo admitted in the correspondence that when the Bumps and Midsummer Fair clashed years ago 'things ran smoothly' and there were no problems. The proposal is set to be debated at a captains' meeting before the rowing begins on Wednesday, June 18. Her intervention has prompted 'deep concern' from Friends, Families and Travellers, a leading Gypsy, Roma and Traveller charity set up to combat discrimination. 'It is alarming that, despite no evidence, time and resources are being directed toward scapegoating and demonising Gypsy and Traveller people,' a spokesman said, adding that CUCBC members were promoting 'harmful stereotypes' against the community. One lower boats captain, who did not want to be named, said: 'None of us want Bumps to be cancelled, but we also don't want it to be unsafe either. 'When the fair's on we're usually advised to steer clear of the boathouses entirely so I'm definitely worried about racing on the last two days.' College boat captains are also said to be concerned about 'Boatie Mash', the post-Bumps party that takes place in a Cambridge club that will be shared on the night with locals. Captains are said to have warned rowers against attending and told any who insist not to wear their blazers, ties or college stash [clothing bearing the name of their college]. A Trinity Hall rower said of a previous incident: 'Some young people, probably no older than 15, were leaning over the bridge attempting to spit on us as we passed under. One of them successfully landed their spit all over my legs.' Another university rower said: 'I've definitely had issues with town kids throwing stuff at us. I've been hit with sandwiches and a banana peel.' • The Boat Race 2025 is faster, older and more foreign than ever The Showmen's Guild, which organises the Midsummer Fair, said: 'We have never at any of our meetings had any reports of incidents regarding rowers from any of those involved with the SAG [safety advisory group].' CUCBC said: 'A small number of boat clubs expressed concerns about the timing of May Bumps this year, as it partly overlaps with the Midsummer Fair, another mass spectator event. Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs have held positive discussions with relevant local bodies and are not concerned that Midsummer Fair will interfere with the smooth running of the event.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Former Malone superintendent recalls dramatic end to 2015 grad ceremony amid prison break
Jun. 7—MALONE — The infamous 2015 Dannemora prison break coincided with the end of the school year, which led to wide concerns about student safety. It ended up concluding on what was graduation weekend for many local school districts, causing turmoil for ceremony and party plans. Jerry Griffin, who was the Malone Central School District superintendent at the time, recalls its ripple effects on the tail end of the 2014-15 school year and the unforgettable graduation ceremony that took place as a result. On that first weekend when the public learned David Sweat and Richard Matt had cut through their cell walls and escaped through the sewer, Griffin recalls not being concerned since Sweat and Matt were initially believed to be headed away from Franklin County. "What I recall is when it first happened, the next day at school, our understanding was they had fled the north country completely and they were gone somewhere else. I didn't think a whole lot about it," said Griffin, who is now Potsdam Central's superintendent. Not long after, "(law enforcement) felt they were still in the north country and potentially heading towards Malone. And that was just in a couple days." "I remember a lot of parents being concerned about sending their kids to school. I remember working closely with local and state law enforcement. They were great, really great to work with," Griffin said. "There were a couple days, at our elementary school, we did not allow our kids to go out for recess. There were a couple days when the search really intensified in the Malone area." Malone's high school graduation was scheduled for July 27, 2015. Griffin recalled a debate over holding graduation indoors, rather than outside on the athletic field. "There was a lot of concern because Salmon River runs behind it. There was talk, are they walking along the river?" Griffin said. "I remember having a meeting and specifically deciding we re going to have graduation outside and not in the gym," he said. Indoors, it would have limited attendees to four per student. Griffin said security is a concern even for a normal year. The Franklin Academy campus is accessible by foot from "a few different spots." Police ended up guarding the event and keeping an eye on all the potential access points. "I remember looking at that hill (from the stage) ... and there were armed law enforcement officers," which Griffin described as "a really weird feeling, but reassuring." He remembers thinking to himself, "this is the time we're living in, that's what graduation looks like." The ceremony ended on quite the memorable note. The event included presenting a diploma to a World War II veteran from Duane who had been drafted and served while still in high school. In New York, school superintendents have the authority to give honorary diplomas to veterans who were drafted as teenagers and couldn't finish their studies as a result. That evening of June 27, the veteran's senior granddaughter was also to receive her diploma. However, in their nearby hometown, "there were roads that were closed in that area and they were not able to come to graduation They could not get through. It was devastating," Griffin said. The high school principal at the time, Brandon Pelkey, was able to pull some strings, Griffin recalls. "He had some connections in law enforcement. He got word out that this was happening." Because of that, police working the area where the vet and his granddaughter lived let them through under escort, but the family didn't arrive until the ceremony had just ended. "The grad ceremony had just ended. The kids had thrown their hats, people were happy, it was the end of the ceremony. We were able to stop everything, and Mr. Pelkey did a great job getting everybody under control real quick in order to officially have the granddaughter walk across stage and the grandfather who was a vet walk across the stage. Mr. Pelkey made sure they had their moment," Griffin said. That's a story I'll always remember," he added, "and I'm sure they'll always remember it as well." Readers responded with brief stories of their own on The Malone Telegram's Facebook page, under a post asking for their memories of the three-week saga. Two of them recalled the shadow it cast over a wedding and a graduation party. "We have a camp in Mt View and were getting married on July 4th thank God they captured the 2nd one ... We thought we were going to have a shotgun wedding as to Mt View was crawling with Troopers, CO's, Vermont Troopers, FBI and many more. We were scared for our grandchildren and would not allow them outside," one comment reads in part. "We were having a Graduation party on Third St. in Malone the day the second one was shot. We were put in lockdown and no one could leave or come back on the street. We also met Dog the Bounty hunter that day," another commenter wrote.
