TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools officials have outlined some new rules that will go into effect for all school sports activities this weekend.

The new guidelines will be effective as of Friday, September 23, 2022.

The memo sent to all BCPS parents reads as follows:

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Baltimore County Public Schools is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all staff, students and spectators participating in athletic events. Athletic programs positively impact the community and it is our expectation that student athlete and spectator behaviors reflect our core values of teamwork and sportsmanship.

To ensure our sporting events remain safe, family-oriented events, we are asking all members of the BCPS community to do their part by:

1. Reviewing expectations about appropriate conduct at sporting events
2. Ensuring that dangerous, prohibited and inappropriate items are not brought to BCPS events
3. Immediately sharing with school officials any information that might compromise the safety of others
4. Arranging timely transportation to and from events for all unaccompanied high school students in attendance

The BCPS Office of Athletics ensures that every school has a site-based athletic plan for every game. The office has provided additional resources and guidance to all secondary school administrators and coaches to help strengthen practices and procedures.

Effective Friday, September 23, 2022, the following changes will go into effect to enhance safety:

• Additional staff will be assigned to all secondary games, including safety assistants and staff from participating schools.
• Elementary and middle school students attending athletic events must be accompanied by an adult (18 years and older) and remain with the adult for the entire event.
• Once spectators have entered a game, there will be no readmittance if they choose to leave before the game has ended.
• Loitering at athletic events or on school grounds after the conclusion of the event will not be permitted.
• Students, staff and members of the community engaging in violent or criminal behavior at a sporting event will be removed from the premises immediately and not be permitted to return to any BCPS campus for athletics or extra-curricular activities for a period of no less than 90 days. Students will be subject to serious school and legal consequences.

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