HCPS Safety & Security FAQ
For Parents/Guardians
Safety
What are schools in the district doing for safe arrival and dismissal of students?
HCPS utilizes a variety of measures during arrival and dismissal to ensure safety. HCPS administrators and staff are outside and present to welcome and dismiss students. Walkie talkies are used to enhance communication and permit outside staff to directly connect to staff in the main office. Specific traffic patterns and protocols are established to help ensure safe traffic flow and to avoid students crossing near moving vehicles.
What are the procedures for allowing someone to enter the school building during the school day, and how is that being communicated to staff? How is HCPS leadership ensuring protocols are followed, particularly in light of information learned from school shootings in other districts?
Visitors must ring the bell at the main entrance of the school. Visitors are asked via the intercom system to state the purpose for their visit. If the purpose is valid, the visitor is buzzed in and directed to the main office to register using their valid photo ID. The visitor is provided a printed visitor pass using the HCPS visitor management system.
What is the security protocol for entry into the schools before and after school, during sporting events, and when schools are closed but staff is in the building?
The security protocol for entry into a school building before and after school, during sporting events, and after hours is use of the authorized staff member's prox card badge.
Please describe how cameras are monitored in our schools and on buses?
Cameras in schools are monitored by staff who have user rights. Cameras on buses are not monitored; however, video footage on buses is recorded and that footage can be retrieved if needed.
Are there School Resource Officers stationed in every public school in Harford County? What does a School Resource Officer do to ensure our children are safe?
School Resource Officers (SROs) are not stationed in every Harford County Public School. SROs provide a highly-visible presence to deter or identify trespassers on campus. In addition, SROs provide a service to the surrounding community by addressing concerns such as loitering, stop sign or speeding violations in school zones, etc. SROs are responsible for investigating violations of criminal law and many other duties to keep staff and students safe.
Did Harford County apply for any school safety state grants?
HCPS applied for the Safe Schools Fund Grant (SSFG) and the School Safety Grant Program (SSGP). The SSFG grant will be used for Reunification Rob Box materials and supplies and safety radios throughout the district. The SSGP grant funds will be used to upgrade access control systems, a combination of technology and camera upgrades (fish eye camera), and physical electronic hardware and associated work. This will improve school staff's ability to visually identify and communicate with a visitor before allowing access to the school. Access will be remotely controlled from the main office. This work will be done in the following 12 schools: Bel Air High School, C. Milton Wright High School, Deerfield Elementary School, Edgewood High School, Emmorton Elementary School, Hall's Cross Roads Elementary School, Joppatowne Elementary School, Meadowvale Elementary School, North Bend Elementary School, Prospect Mill Elementary School, Ring Factory Elementary School, and William S. James Elementary School.
What policies have been established regarding weapons, and how will parents be notified of potential violence or weapon issues in their child’s school?
Possession of a weapon on HCPS property has been and still is a violation of school rules and subject to disciplinary action. Maryland law requires an individual analysis of risk associated with the weapon to determine the disciplinary action. Principals consult with the communications office and the appropriate director in education services to discuss the incident. If the incident is limited to a few students, then individual parents/guardians may be contacted. If the incident is more widespread, then administrators may use our mass communication system to send a phone call, email, and/or text message to families in their community.
What is the plan for students with disabilities or quiet students who are afraid to or unable to speak up to report bullying in school?
We have been working across the district to create a sense of belonging for all of our students and to empower them to report bullying, harassment, and intimidation when they experience it or witness it. We have made it easier to report by providing an online reporting form. Using the online Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation (BHI) reporting form, anyone can report bullying, harassment, or intimidation. Our staff members work hard to build relationships with students, so we hope that all students feel they have a "go to" person that they can trust. We have also trained teachers and other staff members to address these behaviors as soon as they become aware of them.
What is HCPS doing to encourage bystanders/observers to report?
We are proactively making students aware of the online reporting form. We also have Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation modules created by students for students that explain definitions, provide sample scenarios, and provide directions on how to access the forms.
What is the plan to increase behavior specialists in schools?
HCPS has been fortunate enough to have the benefit of behavior coaches over these past couple of years. We started with our first behavior coach in 2020 and have since grown to have nine (9) behavior coaches at the start of the 2022-23 school year. We will continue to seek to increase positions as funding becomes available.
Mental Health Supports
What is the structure of mental health care within Harford County schools? What professionals are available to support our students?
Within HCPS, we have more than 250 student services staff who are in fields directly related to mental health. These positions include school counselors, social workers, school psychologists, pupil personnel workers, behavior coaches, nurses, mental health specialist, and the Director Health and Wellness. Additionally, we really see it as the responsibility of all of our staff to take actions that positively support the health and wellbeing of all of our students.
What is parental involvement in school-based mental health care of their child?
School-Based Mental Health is a program that is completely voluntary. Individual schools partner with one or two outpatient mental health clinics. The schools provide space to the providers, who deliver services during the school day. Referrals can only be made with parental permission. The partnering agency requires parental consent as well as involvement in the treatment of their child.
Bullying Prevention
What is the procedure for investigating bullying and harassment of students?
When schools receive a BHI form or a report of bullying, harassment, and intimidation, they take steps to investigate the allegations and stop any additional harm from occurring. Our BHI policy on hcps.org, explains the process more thoroughly, but it includes getting statements from the targeted student, the alleged person responsible, and any witnesses. The investigation may also include a review of video, screenshots of messages, and collection of other evidence to determine whether a violation to our policy has occurred. Sometimes, depending on the situation, we notify law enforcement. We also provide supportive measures for the targeted student as well as the alleged person responsible, as appropriate. We work to restore any harm that has been done by engaging in restorative practices when appropriate for the situation. Overall, we take all reports seriously and work to keep our students safe.
Depending on availability, our secondary schools typically have administrators and teachers monitor the halls during the school day.
What is the HCPS policy regarding students’ phones in school? How are cell phones monitored by staff to prevent cyber bullying and harassment?
HCPS does not monitor student cell phones. Middle school students are to keep their phones in their locker. High school students are permitted to have their phones out for educational purposes when needed. The HCPS cell phone policy can be found in the student calendar located on the HCPS website.
Training
Has the school system created an active shooter plan? Are there drills done in partnership with Harford County law enforcement partners?
HCPS has active assailant protocols. HCPS active assailant training and drills are conducted in partnership with Harford County law enforcement agencies.
Pre-school training for staff reinforced the importance of “see something, say something.” The Safety and Security session also reviewed and reinforced the importance of threat assessments and how HCPS works with law enforcement to address possible threats.
All HCPS staff participated in Safety and Security sessions during pre-school week. The session content reviewed all types of the required drills and provided ample opportunity for schools to review specific school drill practices. Administrators are encouraged to work closely with the Regional Safety Coordinators to conduct drills and to debrief about best practices.
Communication
Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) utilizes the Blackboard Connect5 notification system to send information directly to parents and guardians via phone, email, and text message. This direct communication is used to inform parents and guardians of emergency closures and important information. In addition, HCPS utilizes an emergency alert pop-up on hcps.org, has social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), and shares pertinent information with local media and news outlets to ensure parents and guardians have multiple platforms to access information about HCPS operations. In an emergency situation, HCPS will inform parents, guardians, students, and staff, if specific communication tools will be utilized to streamline communications.
There are many parent advocacy groups in Harford County sharing concerns and feedback about safety, many of them during public comment at the Board of Education meetings, how are you including parents in an ongoing conversation about safety in our schools?
On August 17, 2022, the HCPS Parent Academy and Office of Safety and Security, in partnership with local law enforcement agencies around the county, hosted a Safety and Security Virtual Town Hall to address plans for school emergencies, as well as everyday challenges like bullying and mental health. A panel of school system experts shared important information about the measures HCPS is taking to keep our students, staff, and school buildings safe this school year and answered questions submitted from members of the community. To watch the Town Hall, please click on the link below. In addition, the HCPS Parent Academy is actively planning regional Town Hall events, inviting parents to attend and share feedback and recommendations specific to their communities. The HCPS Parent Advisory Council will also continue to provide input on ways to improve communication and parent engagement at the district and local school level.
Last updated: September 28, 2022