To assure the development and implementation of procedures, protocols and curriculum relating to the safety of students and assure fidelity in training, awareness of individual responsibility to report to whom by when and compliance with System procedures and expectations to increase awareness and accountability among employees, volunteers, and vendors

The new and revised policies and administrative procedures are an outgrowth of the Student Safety Task Force recommendations released at the end of May, 2016. The task force conducted an independent review of current PGCPS policies, procedures, processes and practices related to student safeguards and protections. 

Revised Board Policies

On July 20, 2016 the Prince George’s County Board of Education unanimously approved four new policies related to school volunteers; inappropriate relationships between students, staff, volunteers and contractors; reporting suspected child abuse and neglect; and overall safety measures to prevent child abuse.

• Board Policy 0106 Volunteer Services
• Board Policy 0126 - Student Safety
• Board Policy 0127 - Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect
• Board Policy 4400 - Inappropriate Relationships between Students and Employees, etc

Revised Administrative Procedures

• AP 4221 - Employee and Adult Use or Entrance of Student Restrooms
• AP 4220 - Escorting and Supervision of Elementary Students on School Property
• AP 0500 - School Visitors
• AP 4126 - Employee Use of Social Media and Personal Electronic Devices
• AP 4215 - Criminal Background Checks
• AP 4216.6 - Volunteer Services
• AP 4218 - Dating and Sexual Relationships Among Students and Employees, Independent Contractors, and Volunteers
• AP 4219 - Inappropriate Interactions Among Students and Employees, Independent Contractors, and Volunteers
• AP 5145 - Reporting Suspected Abuse and Neglect

These new practices, procedures and protocols are to ensure students have a safe environment to learn: 

• Mandatory training of all employees, volunteers, and contractors on recognizing and reporting child abuse annually
• New and additional lessons in the health and counseling curriculum to empower students to recognize and report suspected cases of child abuse
• Mandatory fingerprinting  and background checks for all new employees, volunteers, and contractors
• Workshops for parents on recognizing and reporting child abuse
• Establishment of steering committee made up of Executive Cabinet level leaders to ensure that new and revised policies and procedures are being implemented with fidelity.

• Student Safety Resource Toolkit
• PGCPS Releases Student Safety Action Plan (November 16, 2016)
• Twitter Town Hall: Student Safety Transcript from October 25, 2106
• Board of Education Approves New Student Safety Policies
• Student Safety Task Force Announces Findings and Recommendations Regarding PGCPS Practices
• PGCPS Student Safety Task Force Seeks Input from Community
• PGCPS Announces Student Safety Task Force

To report suspected child abuse and neglect, download form. 

View administrative procedure 5145 >>

Robin Welsh
Director, Office of Compliance

Prince George's County Public Schools
14201 School Lane, Room 202B
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 952 6774
robin.welsh@pgcps.org