PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The Student Safety and Well-being Advisory Committee (SSWAC) has a lot of work still in progress — and a lot of ideas. According to its leaders, the committee is in the process of collecting and organizing data for its first annual report.
SSWAC was formed in April 2024 in response to student, family and staff complaints about safety in schools. The goal of the committee is to provide advice and recommendations on how to enhance learning and improve school culture. Members include teachers, staff, union representatives, law enforcement, the health department, the Maryland Center for School Safety and citizens from each county district.
To date, SSWAC has held 10 meetings and three public input sessions. In its first year, the committee has also formed five subcommittees, or work groups, to hone in on the five “pillars” they’ve identified as being fundamental to school safety and well-being: Safe and Supportive Environment, Support for CCPS Staff and Contractors, Empowering Positive Student Behavior, Modern Facilities and Resources, and Family and Community Engagement.
Since its formation, SSWAC has been busy; it’s heard presentations from the sheriff’s department, Calvert Health Department, CCPS Student Services and more. The committee also sent out a survey with questions about bullying, vaping, mental health and safety training. They’re still compiling that data.
It’s clear that student safety and well-being is a complex issue that requires cooperation across schools, social services and families, and is further complicated by state law and compliance. One significant barrier Vice Chair Leslie Irvin pointed out is that there’s no centralized place where people can access information about safety. Information should be clear, consistent and easy to find. The committee envisions a single, comprehensive hub for information and resources.
Irvin used bullying as an example — the district has a bullying reporting form. Families should know where and how to access that form, but she also said it’s important that people know what actually constitutes bullying.
“There’s a distinction between a mean moment and bullying,” Irvin said. “Bullying is something that happens over an extended period of time and there’s an imbalance of power. If you’re going to have to fill out the bullying form you need to be clear if it’s actually bullying rather than a mean moment.” Irvin said it was important that everyone is on the same page in an effort to make the schools safe for all.
Another challenge Irvin pointed out was that parents tend to be less involved with their kids’ education or school experiences as the kids get older. Committee Chair Rev. Dana Jones seconded this, saying that a major challenge is when the schools connect kids with services and the kids show up — and the parents don’t. Schools can do a lot to provide structure and consistency, but families still need to be willing to cooperate in order for there to be real change.
“Let’s be mindful of the fact that 90% of our students wake up every day and do what they’re supposed to do, and they do it well,” Rev. Jones said. “We seek to find remedies where we can create a positive environment because what comes out of each house can negatively impact us all. And I don’t lay that on children. But what it comes down to is we all need to own this issue, and families need to own up to their kids.”
SSWAC hopes to release its annual report in the next few months.
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