Baltimore County Public Schools Hosts Meeting On Middle School Safety

OWINGS MILLS - Baltimore County Public Schools is holding a meeting next week to discuss middle school safety.

The meeting is dubbed" Community Conversation on Safe and Supportive Environments" and will feature BCPS leaders and a Maryland Safe Schools psychologist to discuss adolescent behavior.

The meeting will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. December 1 at the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology (938 York Road). Community members can also attend virtually on the BCPS Youtube channel.

BCPS held virtual town halls last month to discuss elementary school and high-school problems amid a rash of violence at Baltimore County schools.

This meeting is a follow-up to Superintendent Darryl Williams' October 25 letter, where he addressed school safety. In his letter, Williams said that BCPS has made "significant investments in proactive safety measures this year" and promised more communication between the school board and parents.

"Our analysis of middle school data has revealed wide variability in the implementation of consequences. Central office staff will continue to review the data and provide support and feedback to schools, Williams said. "Sixth grade is the only grade in BCPS that is experiencing an increase in more aggressive behaviors this year compared to the same time last year. Following middle school, we are seeing indications that ninth and tenth grades also require intense focus, confirming that students in transition years need differentiated support and intervention."