February 2, 2024, Staff and Community Update: Safety Reminders
Dear Team BCPS—
The second semester is underway, and I want to share some important reminders for our students and families to ensure we are working together to create safe environments for all and preserve and protect teaching and learning. Positive and secure school climates have a tremendous impact on student well-being and learning and we continue to make significant investments in comprehensive safety measures to ensure all students and staff are safe.
While the majority of our 110,000 students come to school ready to learn, engage with their peers and adults positively and follow the rules, there are some students (and adults) who make poor choices and engage in dangerous and disruptive behaviors on school property. When these situations occur, our school administrators respond swiftly and are working to ensure consistency in the implementation of consequences.
I want to be clear that we do not tolerate dangerous behaviors and we will continue to use all legally available tools and resources to protect students and hold accountable those who break the rules. We believe that we can and will have a strong and positive second semester. It will take all of us doing our part. Parents/guardians, please take some time to review the following information with your child(ren)—
The 2023-2024 Student Handbook includes an overview of the rights and responsibilities of BCPS students and a summary of the laws and regulations that affect students. Topics include consistent, timely attendance, respect for people and property, technology usage, student publications, student activities, student records, the right to appeal - including grievance procedures – and more.
Cell Phone Policy
While students may bring personal phones to school, the phones should not be used during class time or used inappropriately at any time during the school day. Failure to follow these rules will result in disciplinary actions against your child. We understand there are a number of reasons why parents/guardians have their children bring phones to school, however, they are a distraction and cause significant disruption to the learning environment. Please let your child know that cell phones and school time don’t mix and students who violate the cell phone policy will receive consequences.
As a reminder, students may have their cell phones on school property and during school-sponsored activities; however, students may not use their cell phones until the end of the instructional day with the following exceptions:
- When instructional staff, in Grade 3 and above, has permitted such use for instructional purposes during instructional time.
- High school students may use their cell phones during student lunch periods.
- Middle school students may use their cell phones during student lunch periods, as determined by the school administrator of each individual middle school.
Effective teaching and learning can’t happen when students are breaking the rules and distracted by their devices. Thank you for your support in reinforcing our cell phone policy at home.
Transportation Procedures and Expectations
The Office of Transportation’s top priority each day is to transport all student bus riders safely to and from school. To accomplish this goal, we need the cooperation of the entire community. Positive student behavior while entering, riding, and leaving the bus contributes to safe transportation by making it possible for drivers to dedicate their full attention to the roads and other drivers. Student bus riders are expected to act responsibly and respectfully at all times.
The primary purpose of rules and procedures on buses is the safety of all passengers—students and staff. Please take a few minutes to review the transportation handbook.
What are the consequences for students involved in physical fights
- Short term suspensions up to 10 days.
- Long term suspensions – 11 days to expulsion –issued through the Student Conduct Hearing Officer.
- Arrests/criminal charges issued, when appropriate, by the Baltimore County Police Department.
- Mediation/restorative conferences may be held to resolve the conflict, after consequences have been applied.
- Community conferencing is offered to families to address long-standing community conflict.
What are the consequences for students who bring firearms to schools?
- A minimum of one year expulsion
- Reassignment to alternative programs
- Arrests/criminal charges issued, when appropriate, by the Baltimore County Police Department.
I also want to remind our parents and guardians of the importance of setting positive examples at home and in the community. The behaviors we model at home and values we instill in our children have tremendous impact on the schoolhouse. We know that many of our school safety issues stem from unresolved community conflict and are often amplified on social media. We call on parents to limit or monitor student social media and cellphone use, join with the school community to provide a positive presence and to share safety concerns directly with school leaders who will ensure they are addressed quickly.
I encourage you to connect with your child’s school. Joining the parent teacher student association, volunteering, and/or attending school events are just some of the many ways you can participate. To make a difference at the community level, please consider attending area educational advisory council meetings or joining a council. There are also councils or committees focused on career and technology education, gifted and talented education, and special education.
In addition, we invite parents to learn more about BCPS Parent University. In collaboration with many partners, Parent University offers online resources, in-person and online workshops, and a mobile parent resource center to support parents in nurturing their children’s success. Follow Parent University at @BCPSParentU on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Thank you for your partnership and support.
Regard
Myriam Rogers
Superintendent