DALLAS — Bowie High School and Roosevelt High School students will return to school Monday for the first time since separate shootings prompted district leaders to cancel classes.
Arlington ISD canceled classes at Bowie on Thursday and Friday after a student shot and killed another student outside a campus portable building Wednesday. Dallas ISD canceled classes at Roosevelt Friday, citing a “credible threat” linked to a drive-by shooting Thursday. Two students were shot in a coach’s car, on their way home from football practice.
Dallas ISD and Arlington ISD have both instituted new safety protocols in response to the shootings. Garland ISD will also enforce changes because of the incidents, though the district said there have been no credible threats to its campuses.
Arlington police will Monday provide extra security at Bowie High School. Mental health counselors will be on campus all week to provide services to anyone who seeks their help.
Dallas ISD Friday announced security enhancements, prompted by the shooting at Wilmer Hutchins High School. The announcement came on the same day the district canceled classes because of the incident involving Roosevelt students.
Since the shooting at Wilmer Hutchins, Dallas ISD says its staff has retrained on metal detectors and backpack searches. Police will be more visible on campuses on Monday, and the district has adjusted employees’ schedules so more adults are present during arrival and dismissal.
Students called for such changes at a rally after the shooting at Wilmer Hutchins.
The district will also boost mental health services on Roosevelt’s campus.
Garland ISD will also conduct daily, random searches using portable metal detectors beginning Monday. The district will also add lessons on safety and conflict resolution to its classroom instruction plans.
“In response to recent events at neighboring school districts, we are taking decisive action to enhance security measures across all our campuses,” the district said in a letter to parents.
There have not been incidents or credible threats at Garland schools, the district said.
There is less than a month left in this school year. Dallas, Arlington and Garland schools all let out on May 23 or May 24.