FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Summer vacation has officially ended for hundreds of thousands of students in Broward County, who returned to the classroom Monday morning.
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn was at the school bus depot near Southwest Ranches early Monday with a reminder for parents and students.
“Make sure you exercise some patience today,” Hepburn advised. “You may want to leave a little bit earlier than normal. Remember, starting today, all high schools are implementing metal detectors at the entry points of their schools, so we do expect a little bit of delay. But exercise some patience as we get through that and make the process more efficient in the days to come.”
Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn touted the district’s latest grade as he made the rounds for his first school year at the helm.
“This is your Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn, superintendent of the ‘A’ rated Broward County Public Schools,” Dr. Hepburn was heard saying over the intercom.
He added, “I’m just excited for the kids to be back and I see many of them are excited to be back also.”
Many students have their eyes set on the prize: senior year.
“Finishing up the year. It’s my senior year, so just trying to chill out and have fun,” said a student.
For others, it was there very first day of going to school.
Aviana Van Laanen started her Monday morning by going to her first kindergarten class.
“I played [and I learned],” she said.
Other students were ready to start learning, with several of them saying math was their favorite subject.
For some though, they found themselves without a teacher.
“The teacher, they told us at open house, I guess had left, so they’re currently trying to fill the position with someone who is a little bit more qualified, so for now, they’re just going to have substitutes,” said a parent, “and, at the open house, we met some great teachers who seem to get a bit of hold of the kids until they find someone that fits the spot.”
The school district told 7News that there was a less than 2% vacancy rate for teachers this year, which is lower than normal.
At Croissant Park Elementary, some kids found they don’t have a permanent teacher, just yet.
“The teacher from what they told us at open house, had left, so they’re trying to fill the position with someone qualified,” said one student’s aunt.
Monday marked the first day of school for more than 250,000 public school students across the county. As they head back to class, students will notice several changes, including the implementation of metal detectors at all high school entrances and a new policy requiring cell phones and wireless devices to be off or in airplane mode during school hours.
“I don’t know it feel, I guess more safe,” said a student.
“I think it’s important so we can have safety and better security for the school,” said another.
The changes are part of the district’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety and create a more focused learning environment.
“The majority of the feedback said that this will really make students feel more comfortable in their learning environments,” a BCPS spokesperson noted.
Long lines were seen across several high schools in Broward County as students and staff adjust to their new normal bright and early on Monday.
7Skyforce showed aerial footage of MacArthur High School in Hollywood as kids made their way inside. The single point of entry, taking a significant amount of time to get students in the door.
“And I’m noticing the first few students going through the metal detectors here at MacArthur,” said 7Skyforce reporter Steven Gray.
Some students heard Hepburn’s advice to come to school earlier to avoid being stuck outside in line waiting to get in.
“I’m going to come earlier because I was already sweating and it’s too early in the morning to start sweating,” said Alexander Benjamin, a student.
Some schools, the superintendent says, were running so behind they suspended the screenings altogether.
“We want to def’ apologize to our community, it’s a new routine for students,” said Hepburn.
The Superintendent says the district will work to improve the delay.
“The metal detectors are a bit slow and delayed this morning were going to be sending out some messages throughout principles, also from the district office, and working with our teams, later on, to go over logistics to make sure we get it as efficient as possible,” said Hepburn.
It’s certainly an adjustment for these high schoolers.
“The lines were massive,” said a group of students.
“We gotta stand out there til 8:30,” said a student.
“Girl looked like she was gonna pass out,” said another student.
Other students also believe it will improve with time.
“It’s really fine, it’s like quick and got quicker because people like was watching and stuff,” said a high schooler.
On the other hand, some students had mixed feelings about the whole ordeal.
“I don’t know about the metal detectors. It feels like going through TSA. That and the phone policy. No,” said a student
“I think it’s a good thing because people can be kind of sneaky with their thing,’ said another.
“Metal detectors is all about safety, so I think it’s fine. Phones there’s like exceptions, but I mean like I say you got to learn,” said another.
“It’s not going to do nothing the lines are still long and everything. I feel like we are going to be here for hours,” said a student.
“I feel like we’re going to be late for class because of that,” another chimed in.
“I feel like it’s a good safety precaution. I feel safe,” said a student.
“But kids are going to bring it, like even with that, they’re still going to find another way to sneak it in,’ rebutted another.
From West Broward High to Sheridan Park Elementary, and then Peter’s Elementary as the superintendent made his rounds, he told 7News this advice for students.
“Enjoy the day. Enjoy your opportunities. Really engage with yourselves,” said Dr. Hepburn.
Students said they had a great first day.
Harmony Spears, a third grader, said she made a lot of new friends.
“They liked math, some of them like reading, some of them like science,” she said.
Other students who spoke to 7News said their favorite subject was math.
But for older students, the first day back means the end of summer.
“I’m excited but nervous,” said a female student.
“Not good,” said a second student.
“It’s kinda sad but, you know, you have to do it. You have to learn,” said a third student.
“We’re just here because we have to be,” said a fourth student.
And for students who day wasn’t quite as fun, Harmony’s grandmother shared some advice.
“Just give them lots of love this evening, let them know that it’s going to be a great year and if they started with a bumpy road, it’s OK,” Janette Chandler said.
Morning commuters are being advised to plan their routes accordingly as school zones will be active.
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