New safety protocols take effect in Worcester Co. Schools

WORCESTER CO., Md. – New safety protocols are taking effect in Worcester County Public Schools as the new school year kicks off.

These protocols are aimed at boosting school safety efforts and creating a common language among the school system, emergency services partners, and the school system community. The school system has adopted the Standard Response and Reunification Protocols created by the I Love U Guys Foundation, with all school system administration and emergency services partners undergoing full day training in July. All staff have since between trained in the protocols and how they are applied to their specific classrooms and schools.

This week, families will receive information on the protocols, educating them on the five school safety statuses, which are: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Each status is labeled with a specific icon and a directive for students and staff. Schools will also notify families any time the school enters into a school safety status, with expectations for families, which in most cases will be to request families to wait for further instruction or notification that the school has returned to normal operations.

Schools will also continue emphasizing the importance of reporting suspicious or concerning behaviors within the schools. Worcester County utilizes that Maryland Center for School Safety’s anonymous tipline, which can be reached by phone at 833-MD-B-Safe, or online.