Student Risk Behavior

A safe, secure, and nurturing learning environment is critical to student success. Bullying and cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are unsafe behaviors that do not reflect respect for others as defined by the Code of Student Conduct. If a student is a target of one of these behaviors, you can report it using the Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Form. This form is also available in the main office of schools, the school counseling office, social worker office, or by contacting Student Services.

Be assured that SMCPS has and will continue its commitment to proactively address this issue and enhance both prevention and intervention strategies to stop acts of bullying.

If you ever feel that a student is at risk, please reach out to us using any of the following methods:

Bullying is unwanted, demeaning behavior among students that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or is highly likely to be repeated, over time. To be considered bullying, the behavior must be intentional and include the following:

• An imbalance of power (student who bully use their physical, emotional, social, or academic power to control, exclude, or harm others), and 
• Repetition (bullying behaviors happen more than once or are highly likely to be repeated based on evidence gathered).

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through texting, apps, or online via social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or hurtful content about another student. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

Harassment includes actual or perceived negative actions that offend, ridicule, or demean another student with regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, family/parental or marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, or disability.       

Intimidation is any communication or action directed against another student that threatens or induces a sense of fear and/or inferiority. Retaliation may be considered a form of intimidation.

Educating our community, to include our students and parents, in cyber safety and proper use of electronic communication devices is the objective and mission of the Focus On Cyber Use and Safety or “F.O.C.U.S.” Initiative. St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) has joined with the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland and many community partners in an effort to specifically address this issue through enhanced education and awareness of our students. Working together we can help to ensure that the children of St. Mary’s County enter the cyber world properly, safely, and fully equipped to avoid the risk and dangers associated with this incredible vast resource they call cyberspace. 

Check out NetSMartzKids.org for online games, resources, and information about cyber safety.

If you ever feel that a student is a risk, please reach out to us by filing a report with SafeSchools.

The Board of Education of St. Mary’s County has continually supported the education of students, parents, guardians, and the community at large as a key strategy in substance misuse prevention and increasing awareness about the resources available in our community to help prevent other high risks behaviors.  

OPIOID MISUSE PREVENTION

SMCPS is proud to support our community’s continuing efforts to educate all about the dangers of substance misuse.

St. Mary's County Public Service Announcement

INFORMATIVE DRUG MISUSE VIDEOS

• Maryland Drug Abuse PSA
• Opioid Misuse Prevention 2017
• Vaping
• Erin Testimonial 
• Testimonial 2
• Opiate Abuse

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE

Student drinking has numerous negative effects. It can cause poor academic performance, higher rates of absenteeism, impaired driving and physical health issues. Additionally, drinking can lead to more serious consequences such as alcohol poisoning, legal problems and potentially deadly accidents. Therefore, student drinking is an issue that must be addressed by both students and administrators in order to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

The safety and education of young drivers is becoming a nationwide priority as the incidents of young drivers involved in traffic accidents and fatalities are occurring far too frequently. The St. Mary’s County Public Schools has joined with many community partners in an effort to specifically address this issue through enhanced education and awareness of our students. Staff research was conducted with the purpose of developing recommendations for implementing a Young Drivers Safety Initiative in all St. Mary’s County Public Schools.