On Thursday, October 1, Newtown High School (NHS) rolled out the final phase of its weapons detection implementation plan by having all students enter through the main entrance and pass through the weapons detection system.

As such, no students were permitted to enter the building before 7:30 am. A small crowd of students who arrived early that morning waited outside the high school's main entrance, which looked slightly different than usual.

In front of the main entrance doors stood three sets of detection pillars; a fourth set, positioned off to the side of the entrance, was used for secondary screening if someone triggered the alarm.

Two tables were set up before the detection systems, where students could stop and remove items from their backpacks that would be flagged by the detection pillars. These items include, but are not limited to: Chromebooks, metal eyeglass cases, large instrument cases, and athletic equipment such as baseball bats, football helmets, and golf clubs.

All the while, NHS security staff oversaw the process and guided students on how to properly pass through the detection system. Students must enter one of the lines leading to the three main detection units, and are encouraged to remain in a single-file line.

There are several rules students have to follow while approaching the detection system: Backpacks must be worn on both shoulders, tote bags and other bags should be carried in front of the student’s body at chest height while moving through the detectors, and anyone carrying a second backpack must wear one of them on the front of their body and the other on their back.

If a student triggers the alarm of a main detection unit, they are guided to the secondary screening station, where an administrator helps the student inspect their bag and pass through the detection system again.

Students and parents received an e-mail from NHS Principal Kimberly Longobucco on Wednesday, September 30 reminding them about the final phase of the implementation plan the following day. This e-mail contained information on what items should be removed from backpacks, and guidance on how to successfully pass through the detection system, along with an informational YouTube video posted by NHSTechTeam (youtube.com/watch?v=HnMWp6RrBZg).

As of October 1, all students are required to enter through the high school's main entrance. The detection pillars are portable and brought inside when the school day starts. During school hours, a set of pillars is positioned inside by one of the building's main entrance doors, which students and visitors must pass through to get inside.

According to K-12 Safety and Security Coach Tom McDermott, who was there for the system's rollout on October 1, this is so a security staff member can supervise people as they enter from their desk.

The weapons detection system is fully put away at the end of the school day, and is not used for anything that might happen at night such as swimming and basketball, according to Longobucco.

McDermott said the weapons detection system will be inside during the wintertime. However, since the weather was still warm on October 1, they will have it outside until cooler weather arrives.

Last Thursday marked the first time the detection system was used for a calendar school day. Longobucco said they have used the detection system at the past two football games and could consider using it at future school events moving forward.

The system being used at NHS is the CEIA OpenGate, a metal detector used by airports, federal agencies, stadiums, arenas, ballparks, healthcare and hospital facilities, and the United States Secret Service.

Sandy Hook School Foundation (SHSF) presented the weapons detection system as a gift to the Board of Education (BOE) in June of 2025. Longobucco said the funds for the weapons detection system cover the warranty as well as additional batteries.

As SHSF was looking to sunset the foundation, it had to expend the remainder of its funds and have the use be consistent with its mission, according to Superintendent of Schools Anne Uberti.

The proposal for the acquisition and implementation of a weapons detection system at NHS had previously been brought forward and approved by the district’s Safety & Security Committee, which, at the time, included Director of Health Donna Culbert, Chief of Police David Kullgren, and other police department representatives, as well as Uberti, Director of Security Mark Pompano, First Selectman Jeff Capeci, a member of the BOE, and several ad hoc members.

The BOE accepted the gift in a 5-2 vote at its July 8, 2025 meeting, contingent on community feedback, the review of an implementation plan, and the evaluation of potential impacts. The BOE continued its discussion of acquisition and implementation of a weapons detection system at its October 7, 2025 meeting, approving it with a narrow 4-3 vote.

In her September 30 e-mail, Longobucco said they anticipate it may take about a week for everyone to become comfortable with this new process.

The e-mail continued, "We are confident, however, that we can move students through the system quickly and efficiently when everyone is informed and prepared."

Longobucco, when asked on October 1 how the first day using the system went, said it went "pretty smooth." She noted that everyone got inside the school on time, and that the timing "wasn't that much off what [they] would've done on a normal day.

"I think the kids have to get used to the routine of it," Longobucco added. "We had a lot of people out there today telling [students] what to do, but they'll get in the routine of it and will be able to do it on their own."

Uberti, who attended the detection system rollout along with BOE members Don Ramsey and John Vouros, echoed this sentiment at the Tuesday, October 6 BOE meeting. She said the first two mornings using the weapons detection system went "very smoothly" and that, despite concerns about long wait lines, "that did not materialize."

Uberti added that only a small number of students needed to be flagged for a second screening, and most of that was around educating the student about whatever they were carrying that set off the alarm. Items that unexpectedly set off the alarm included certain three-ring binders, aerosol deodorants, and at least one phone case.

The Newtown Bee will do a follow-up article in several weeks to gauge how students and staff feel about the weapons detection system after its implementation.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.