In recent weeks, some student groups across Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) have organized or discussed walkouts as a form of protest. City Schools respects students’ legal rights to peacefully protest, as outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and Board Policy JJA related to student expression, petition, and assembly.
Our top priority is student safety and maintaining a focused learning environment. We need your help to keep our young people safe. As you discuss these matters with your student, please be sure they understand how to participate safely:
Student coordination with their school is critical for safety: Students who are planning a protest have a responsibility to speak with their school’s administration and work together to ensure the protest is orderly and safe. Student protests are not school-sponsored events, but when students coordinate in advance with school administration, we work with them to establish a safe time, place, and manner for protest on school property, with appropriate supervision in place.
Communication from schools: After students work with school administration to identify a safe time, place, and manner for protest on school property, school administration will share this information with the school community.
Students who follow these guidelines will not face consequences: Students who participate within their school’s parameters may make up missed classwork and will not face disciplinary consequences unless additional Code of Conduct violations occur.
Students who violate these guidelines will be held accountable: Students who leave school property to protest or participate outside of their school’s established parameters will receive an unexcused absence and may face consequences under the Student Code of Conduct, including disciplinary actions. Students who leave school property are not supervised by school staff, which may lead to unsafe situations.
We appreciate the partnership of our families and community members in reinforcing the importance of student safety, responsible decision-making, respectful expression, and peaceful protest. Together, we can ensure that student voices are heard while maintaining a safe and orderly school environment. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your school administration.