Reply to Parent meetings at Wootton HS

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Reply to "Parent meetings at Wootton HS"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is a good time for parents to remember that these politicians are going to gaslight you, lie to you and pay lip service about what they have done and what they stand for, and will stand for.

Remember that when you go to the ballot box.[/quote]

Wait, what? They don't do THAT!
https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/03/05/b-cc-high-community-looks-for-answers-on-safety/[/quote]

Over and over again, but people forget when it comes time to vote.[/quote]

MCPS communication to that high school (according to the 'Another Safety Meeting' thread 2025):

[Dear Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Families,

Thank you to all who joined the community safety meeting Tuesday evening hosted and organized by Councilmember Andrew Friedson.

We heard you. The B-CC community raised concerns about school safety decision-making, prevention strategies, student discipline, and the emotional impact of repeated lockdowns. Many of you expressed that school leaders should NOT have to navigate security decisions alone and emphasized the need for stronger external partnerships to support violence prevention efforts. We also heard concerns about the frequency of lockdowns, their impact on student well-being, and the need for clearer communication and follow-up support after incidents. Most importantly, we heard your urgent call to action—stop studying the issue, stop talking about it, and start making tangible changes now.

Your concerns are valid, and we share these same concerns, as well as your call to make meaningful improvements. As stated at the meeting, a school culture with consistent routines, expectations, and habits is key to developing the trusted relationships that contribute to a safe school environment. As a result, we are taking immediate steps to address safety and security at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, including:

1. Security Measures

Establish a cross-functional security support team to assist the administrative team onsite with school operations, school culture, and school safety.

This will include the Cluster Security Coordinator; the director from the office of school support and improvement; the director from the Office of Well-Being and Student Services; and mental health specialists. This team will be in place beginning Monday, March 10.

On Tuesday, March 11, staff from the Office of Systemwide Safety and Security and Office of School Support and Improvement will be present with the Instructional Leadership Team. During this time the team will review emergency preparedness protocols and how to prepare guests and visitors when serious incidents occur. This will include ensuring classrooms are secure when substitutes are in the building.

The Office of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management will immediately assess the school security team to ensure all necessary resources are available and best practices are in place at the school. To support the implementation of these practices, two additional security specialists will be working with the security team, beginning on Monday, March 10.

2. Support Measures

MCPS will provide additional administrative support focusing on school safety, crisis management, and student engagement. Ensure that leaders are consistently equipped with the latest best practices and strategies.

Mr. Floyd Branch, Restorative Approaches Specialist, and a team of Well-Being Social Workers will be on-site on Tuesday, March 11 to facilitate listening and support sessions for students who would like to participate. The data collected from these sessions will be shared and we will communicate how it will inform changes and upgrades. Students can use this link to sign up. A similar process will be implemented to conduct staff listening sessions and focus groups.

Provide training in communications for the school leadership and security team to improve coordination and response. (This will be scheduled in coordination with the cross-functional support team.)

Remind students that their School Well-Being Social Worker, Julia Swissman, and the Bridge to Wellness staff are prepared to support them as needed. Students can self-refer to Bridge to Wellness or stop by room A215 to see Ms. Swissman.

All Bethesda-Chevy Chase teachers and staff have access to a Student Well-Being Team (SWBT) referral form, allowing for an easily accessible process for staff to directly refer students to social workers, counseling support, and Bridge to Wellness services. This process ensures that students in need—both those at risk of violent behavior and those experiencing emotional distress from frequent lockdowns—receive timely interventions, even if they do not self-identify. The system prioritizes confidentiality, ease of use, and prompt follow-up to connect students with the appropriate resources. If parents would like to refer their student, they should contact their counselor.

The Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) and BCC’s Our Minds Matter club will be hosting Teen Mental Health First Aid training sessions for six sessions beginning on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Mindfulness staff will be at BCC throughout the week of March 10 - March 14 to support staff with self-care activities. Staff will be able to access this throughout the day in the staff lounge.

3. Other Important Considerations

Rewriting the Student Code of Conduct – This effort is underway to clarify behavioral expectations, outline clear consequences for violations, and reinforce the importance of restorative practices to address conflicts and support students' growth. This process happens annually and will benefit all students and schools throughout MCPS.

Exploring a Closed Campus for B-CC During School Hours– This would be a significant change for the community and would involve significant logistical changes including an impact on school schedules and would also require thoughtful planning and input from students, families, and staff. Considerations include a completely closed lunch, or options for students based on academic accomplishment (GPA), character, and parent permission. Additionally, we are considering a similar and thus consistent approach for all high schools in the district.

Two more concerns brought forward Tuesday evening were around weapons detection systems and transitioning the Community Engagement Officer program back to a School Resource Officer program. We are evaluating weapons detection systems for information purposes; however, no commitment has been made to implement them. Any consideration of these systems would require thoughtful planning, community engagement, a multi-million dollar funding source, and a clear understanding of how they would be implemented across our MCPS schools. Similarly, any change to how officers engage in our schools, such as a School Resource Officer program is not solely an MCPS decision and must be a community-informed decision involving the County Council, County Executive, Board of Education, and the resources needed to support such a transition.

Safety in our schools and communities is not just about how we respond to incidents—it’s about the steps we take to prevent them. That’s why we are focused on strengthening community relationships, improving communication, and fostering a school environment where every student and staff member feels safe and supported. This work cannot be shouldered by MCPS alone. Creating a secure and welcoming school climate requires all of us– our elected officials, government agencies, community partners, families and students– to stay engaged. By actively checking in with students, encouraging open, respectful and civil conversations, and remaining vigilant to potential concerns, we can work together to address issues before they escalate.

We will continue to update you on our progress and welcome your ongoing partnership in this work. Thank you for being active participants in building a safer school community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Peter Moran
Chief of MCPS School Support and Improvement

Marcus Jones
Chief of MCPS Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management][/quote]

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