A new program in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is intended to create a barrier-free learning environment.Superintendent Mark Bedell on Monday announced #BePresent, an initiative that involves community members volunteering to spend time at schools to improve relationships. The superintendent said he created something similar during his time working at the school system in Houston.Alumni and parents would head to a school either on a lunch break or in the morning to greet students or to say goodbye as they left for the day.”To be clear, our volunteers won’t be asked to do security or discipline. We just want them to be present. We want to build relationships. We want to form bonds,” Bedell said. “Just be here. And it’s OK, crack some jokes, shake some hands, check on people.”The superintendent released new data that he called concerning. The number of students referred for a serious incident is 2,155 so far this school year. That number includes fights, attacks, threats or unsafe actions. Last year, the total number was 2,815.When it comes to the number of students referred for a weapons violation, the superintendent said this year is on pace to double last year’s number. So far, the number is 119 compared to 122 total referrals during the last school year.To stress the importance of this new initiative, the superintendent was backed by several local leaders.”We need your help. What is more, our students need to know that the adults in their community care about them and stand ready to support them, and not just when things go wrong,” said Joanna Tobin, president of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.”Knowing that the community will literally be in the hallways of our schools, to me, is a no brainer. (It has been a) long time coming, and I have great belief that this will actually make some progress, and our kids will feel good about it and safer,” Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said.The superintendent said the program will begin later this month and will include background checks and thorough training for selected volunteers.
A new program in Anne Arundel County Public Schools is intended to create a barrier-free learning environment.
Superintendent Mark Bedell on Monday announced #BePresent, an initiative that involves community members volunteering to spend time at schools to improve relationships. The superintendent said he created something similar during his time working at the school system in Houston.
Alumni and parents would head to a school either on a lunch break or in the morning to greet students or to say goodbye as they left for the day.
“To be clear, our volunteers won’t be asked to do security or discipline. We just want them to be present. We want to build relationships. We want to form bonds,” Bedell said. “Just be here. And it’s OK, crack some jokes, shake some hands, check on people.”
The superintendent released new data that he called concerning. The number of students referred for a serious incident is 2,155 so far this school year. That number includes fights, attacks, threats or unsafe actions. Last year, the total number was 2,815.
When it comes to the number of students referred for a weapons violation, the superintendent said this year is on pace to double last year’s number. So far, the number is 119 compared to 122 total referrals during the last school year.
To stress the importance of this new initiative, the superintendent was backed by several local leaders.
“We need your help. What is more, our students need to know that the adults in their community care about them and stand ready to support them, and not just when things go wrong,” said Joanna Tobin, president of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.
“Knowing that the community will literally be in the hallways of our schools, to me, is a no brainer. (It has been a) long time coming, and I have great belief that this will actually make some progress, and our kids will feel good about it and safer,” Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said.
The superintendent said the program will begin later this month and will include background checks and thorough training for selected volunteers.
