Schools have a legal duty to protect students from harm

If this can happen to Charlie, it can happen to any child

Before enrolling your child into any school ask these 3 questions:

1) Does the school have a written, well-defined anti-bullying policy and supporting procedures that at least meet the Maryland State requirements?

2) Are the faculty trained to recognize the risks associated with suicide and have procedures to report to onsite certified school counselors and parents, as required by the state of Maryland?

3) Does the school have a written concussion policy with student support processes and trained faculty that meet the Maryland legal standards?

Anti-bullying Policies

Schools can have an important role in creating safe and supportive spaces for students to learn and grow. Based on a systematic review of available evidence, the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) released a recommendation in April 2022 for school-based anti-bullying intervention to reduce bullying experiences and improve students’ mental health.

Suicide Risk Awareness

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, significant risk factors for suicide include depression, anxiety, exposure to stressful life events, prolonged stress, harassment, bullying, rejection, life transitions and exposure to another person’s suicide. See “Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs” at https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective- factors-and-warning-signs/.

Concussion Protocol

The provisions of the policies and plan call for training of every public high school coach as well as providing awareness to all student-athletes and their parents or guardians on:

• The nature and risk of a concussion or head injury

• The criteria for removal from and return-to-play

• The risk of not reporting injury

• Appropriate academic accommodations

The provisions also mandate written verification of:

• The coach receiving concussion awareness training

• The student-athlete and parent or guardian acknowledging receipt of concussion awareness information

In addition, schools shall extend appropriate procedures for academic accommodations to student-athletes who have been diagnosed with a concussion. (Excerpt from Maryland State Department of Education Policies on Concussions)

Certified School Counselors

I’m tired and worried. It’s hard to catch back up in some classes but I’m managing to get through it. I’m on so many pills for my tonsils that I’m always tired and have a lack of motivation which is really aggravating... They also cause me insane pain ...

Even after all this though I’m grateful that I have so many friends checking in on me and still hanging around with me. I’m worried about the school shooting threats. I’ve run the scenario through my head and talked to my dad and advisor. They can’t even imagine because of the infrequency of school shootings at their age. If there was a shooting I wouldn’t want to run and leave all my friends but I also wouldn’t want to get shot so it’s very contradicting. ...

So right now I would sum everything up to being tired, in pain, hopeful and worried.

Written and Submitted to School by Charlie. No action was taken including sharing this teacher-reviewed journal entry with his parents.

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”

— Proverbs 17:17 and included on Charlie’s snapchat

Contact

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