Fitch High School Will Use Metal Detectors, Hand-Held Wands Starting Tuesday

Interim Superintendent John Ramos said the school department and police will begin using hand-held wands and metal detectors starting Tuesday as students enter Fitch High School, due to a rumor that someone might bring a gun to school.

Ramos said he met with police and determined the rumor was unsubstantiated, but they decided to use the metal wands anyway, in light of the tragedy at Newtown.

He said parents would receive a call about this today.

“We’re basically going to explain that there has been a rumor circulating about someone bringing a gun to school, that we have determined the rumor to be unsubstantiated, but because the rumor persisted over the weekend and in view of the tragic incident in Newtown, we are choosing to deploy the use of (random) hand held wands and metal detectors as they enter the school building,” Ramos said.

The use of wands will continue at the school until the December break.

Groton Town Police also had an officer present at every school when students arrived today.

Absences in the Groton schools were up slightly. Absences at elementary schools are typically 5 percent, and today are 9 percent; at middle schools they’re typically 6 percent and today are 7 percent; at the high school they’re typically 8 percent and today are 15 percent.

Ramos said the school department also had bells installed at all buildings over the weekend so all doors could be locked.

He said he meets again with Police Chief Michael Crowley at 1:30 p.m., and with school principals at 4 p.m.

In addition, School Facilities Director William Robarge is meeting with police to review overall school security and may take additional steps at the schools.