{"id":16886,"date":"2018-10-24T17:56:02","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T21:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mema\/?p=16886"},"modified":"2018-10-24T17:56:02","modified_gmt":"2018-10-24T21:56:02","slug":"governor-larry-hogan-proclaims-maryland-safe-schools-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mdem\/2018\/10\/24\/governor-larry-hogan-proclaims-maryland-safe-schools-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Larry Hogan Proclaims Maryland Safe Schools Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

Focus on School Safety Issues October 21-27 Raises Awareness, Encourages Student Engagement<\/span> <\/em><\/h2>\n

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (October 24, 2018)<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0<\/span>Governor Larry Hogan has signed an official\u00a0proclamation<\/a>\u00a0designating October 21\u201327 as Maryland Safe Schools Week. The week is designed to raise awareness of school safety issues and initiatives at the local and state level.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe safety and security of all Marylanders is our most important responsibility,\u201d said Governor Hogan. \u201cWe encourage everyone to do their part and remain vigilant in protecting our kids and ensuring Maryland schools are places where students can learn free from threats of crime and violence. I urge students, parents, teachers, and community members to report any concerns about potential threats including substance abuse, gangs, bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, hate, and vandalism.\u201d<\/p>\n

During Maryland Safe Schools Week, Marylanders are encouraged to unite with school staff and their community and create a \u201cfamily-like\u201d culture at school advocating the power to stop bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, conflict, hate and violence while spreading empathy, compassion, and respect.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Governor Hogan announced \u201cSafe Schools Maryland,\u201d a tip line and mobile app designed to streamline reporting of possible threats to students school facilities. Students, family members, parents, teachers, administrators, and other community members can anonymously report information to Safe Schools Maryland via a mobile app available for download through the Apple App Store or Google Play, online at\u00a0www.SafeSchoolsMD.org<\/a>, or by calling 1-833-MD-B-SAFE (1-833-632-7233). Trained Maryland Joint Operations Center (MJOC) personnel will respond to reports 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018The \u2018Safe Schools Maryland\u2019 app and tip line is an instrumental step in ensuring our children and our schools are protected, but it is not the only answer,\u201d said Ed Clarke, Executive Director of the Maryland Center for School Safety. \u201cStriving\u00a0to solve the\u00a0safety\u00a0issues our schools face is a mission that involves all\u00a0community members. \u00a0It may require saying something to\u00a0a school administrator, counselor, \u00a0teacher, school resource officer or a trusted adult\u00a0when something seems out of place or as easy as leaving a tip on the tip line app.\u201d<\/p>\n

The governor recently announced $10.6 million in funding available for local school systems to enhance school safety through training, safety assessments, information sharing, and more. The grants will flow through the Safe Schools Fund, which was created as part of the Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018, which Governor Hogan signed into law on April 10. The legislation includes key Hogan administration proposals, such as increased funding for the Maryland Center for School Safety, the creation of aggressive statewide standards for school safety and requirements for the standardized training and certification for all school resource officers. The remaining funds include $23.5 million to help schools improve the physical safety of school facilities and $2.5 million to conduct safety evaluations required by the legislation.<\/p>\n

In addition to Maryland Safe Schools Week, it is also National School Bus Safety Week. The Maryland State Department of Education reminds everyone that school bus transportation plays a critical role in the education of Maryland students. It is a link between community and classroom. Bus safety tips to keep your child safe include:<\/p>\n