Updated Guidance for Student Speech and Expression

September 27, 2024

Dear MCPS Families and Students,

Thank you for a great start to the school year!

Our community is entering a time that may bring challenging emotions and discussions into our schools and we want to ensure that our entire community—students, families, and staff—has the guidance and strategies to navigate these moments together. With the upcoming national election, the first anniversary of the October 7th attack, and the ongoing conflict, it’s important that we prepare for the range of conversations and emotions these topics may evoke. 

For students to be their best in school, their learning environments must remain safe, welcoming, and inclusive. As educators, we strive to model thoughtful and positive expression and encourage students to make respectful, informed choices, especially during challenging times.

The new processes for responding to and communicating when faced with incidents of hate and bias, along with the information campaign addressing these issues, have been shaped by input from our community members. School staff and leaders have received these same resources to ensure we are all operating from the same guidance when managing student speech and expression in our schools.  

Thank you for your continued partnership in making our schools a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

Respectfully,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Superintendent

Know the guidance for Student Speech and Expression. Staff, students, and families must know the rights and guidelines for students to express views on issues important to them. Guidelines for Students Español  /  中文  /  français /  Português /  한국어 /  tiếng Việt  /  አማርኛ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) español  /  中文  /  français /  Português /  한국어 /  tiếng Việt  /  አማርኛ

Resources to Reduce and Address Incidents of Hate and Bias

• See the steps taken and plans for this school year to reduce and address Hate-Bias
  español  /  中文  /  français /  Português /  한국어 /  tiếng Việt  /  አማርኛ

•  Visit the new Responding to Incidents of Hate-Bias website.

High-Quality Curriculum

• Civic Engagement conversations occur through Social Studies classes, where teachers are provided lessons, guidance, and ongoing professional development.  A letter sent from principals and social studies staff provides notification of this work.

• Attend the Social Studies Curriculum nights to learn more about how Social Studies is taught!