Schools promote civility

April 05, 2009|By ANDREW SCHOTZ

As Maryland tries to combat bullying in schools, a Washington County group will look broadly at civility.

The school system is forming a Cross-Functional Team to Promote Civil Behavior.

Its first meeting will be April 17 at the Washington County Board of Education central office auditorium.

Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Morgan said the schools and the community should work together to promote good behavior.

The new group will examine the school system's current policy on bullying, harassment and intimidation. It also will discuss how best to teach students to get along with others and be respectful.

"Without the education piece, we won't make a dent in this," Morgan said.

Last month, as the result of state legislation approved in 2008, the Maryland State Department of Education created Maryland's Model Policy To Address Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation.

The policy says "there is an evolving recognition that bullying is a very toxic form of abuse among peers."

It says bullying can be physical, verbal or relational. The electronic age has added new channels for abuse, such as social-networking Web sites.

As part of a series last year, The Herald-Mail said Washington County Public Schools reported 64 incidents of bullying to the Maryland State Department of Education in 2005-06.

The number of reported bullying incidents dropped to 22 in 2006-07.

Morgan said she thinks Washington County's policy meshes with the state's model policy.

The school system already has several anti-bullying programs, she said.

The co-chairs of the group will be John Davidson, the school district's director of student services, and Hagerstown Police Chief Arthur Smith.

About three dozen other people might be in the group, including teachers, a judge, the executive director of a nonprofit agency, a parent and a pastor, according to a draft list.

AnJie Doll will be a facilitator.

An invitation letter says the group also will meet April 27, May 11 and June 4.

The public may send comments or ideas to Davidson at DavidJoh@wcboe.k12.md.us or call 301-766-2962.

If you go

What: First meeting of the Washington County Public Schools Cross-Functional Team to Promote Civil Behavior

When: Friday, April 17, noon to 2 p.m.

Where: Washington County Board of Education central office auditorium, 820 Commonwealth Ave., Hagerstown

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