Safe Schools
School must be a sanctuary. Students cannot learn and teachers cannot teach if they do not feel safe.
Emotional Health
Youth mental health challenges are at a crisis point from elementary to high school. While MCPS cannot act as a surrogate parent or government agency, it can take a step in the right direction by fostering a sense of belonging amongst students.
MCPS should: teach students conflict resolution skills; enhance education of parents, caregivers and families about social emotional health and drug use in culturally competent ways; hire adequate counselors, psychologists and social workers; and implement the “Away All Day” cell phone policy across MCPS wherein cell phones may only be accessed before and after school.
Hate Bias
Hate bias incidents are on the rise in our schools. To combat rising hate, MCPS needs in-person education for staff and students at the beginning of the year and throughout; clear standards and expectations for staff and student conduct about hate bias; tiered hate bias reporting and consequences; and offender education by the MCPS Equity Office as part of the hate bias reporting process.
Violence
Students and staff do not feel safe from physical violence in schools due to the presence of guns, drug sales, trespassers and other weapons. Social workers, counselors, and psychologists cannot implement policies and practices effectively when schools are so out of order, especially when inadequately staffed.
MCPS needs both adequate law enforcement coverage, as required by Maryland law, and appropriately applied restorative practices. MCPS must also ensure its Cellular Connectivity policy allows staff to directly contact 911 while on school grounds so as to minimize response time to violent events.
