[00:00:02] THE TIME IS NOW. 538. GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE FEBRUARY 7TH, 2025, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL [1. Call to Order - 5:00 p.m.] MEETING. I AM BRANDON JACKSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. THE CHAIRMAN INFORMS THE PUBLIC THAT THE MEETING IS BEING INTERPRETED LIVE IN SPANISH. TO HEAR THE MEETING INTERPRETED LIVE IN SPANISH, PLEASE CALL (508) 924-5155. AGAIN, THAT'S (508) 924-5155. PLEASE FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON THE SCREEN TO HEAR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN SPANISH. FOR THOSE UNABLE TO I UNA LINEA TELEFONICA SIMULTANEA DISPONIBLES PARA LAS PERSONAS ESCUCHAR LA REUNION DE LA JUNTA EN ESPANOL. ESCUCHAR LA REUNION EN ESPANOL. CINCO DE CUATRO CINCO CINCO CINCO. FOR THOSE UNABLE TO OBSERVE. THE MEETING IS BEING RECORDED AND CAN BE ACCESSED ON THE PGC YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR LATER VIEWING. THE CHAIRMAN REMINDS ALL BOARD MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR MICROPHONES ARE TURNED ON WHEN SPEAKING FOR RECORDING PURPOSES. BOARD MEMBER BRIGGS, PLEASE LEAD US IN THE BOARD PRAYER. O GOD, WE PRAY TO ADMINISTER THAT WHICH IS JUST IN ALL EDUCATIONAL POLICIES. BEING EVER MINDFUL OF YOUR GUIDANCE STEER US TO ACTION WITH LOVE, WISDOM, AND UNDERSTANDING. AMEN. PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THANK YOU, MISS BARTON. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. [2. Roll Call] OR MISS ADELAIDE. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. DOCTOR. ANDOVER. PRESENT, MISS SCHROEDER. PRESENT, MR. BRIGGS. PRESENT, MISS BROWN. MRS. MCCANN'S. MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU, MRS. YOU KNOW,. PRESENT. DOCTOR MOSS. PRESENT, MISS WALKER. MR. JACKSON HERE. SIX IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A QUORUM. IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION, THE PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL SUSPEND THE RULES OF PROCEDURE TO AMEND THE AGENDA ALLOWING FOR QUESTIONS FROM THE [3. Adoption of Agenda] PUBLIC. THERE BEING NO OBJECTION, THE RULES AND PROCEDURES ARE SUSPENDED. IF THERE IS NO OBJECTION. FEBRUARY 7TH, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA WILL BE ADOPTED. THE CHAIRMAN RECOGNIZES THE REGISTERED SPEAKERS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. [4. Public Comment] REGISTERED SPEAKERS HAVE THREE MINUTES TO MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION AND MAY NOT RELINQUISH ANY PART OF THEIR SPEAKING TIME. THE BOARD WILL RECOGNIZE YOUR COMMENTS BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS THEM. SPEAKERS MAY NOT ADDRESS INDIVIDUALS OR ISSUE WITH PROFANITY OR DEROGATORY TERMS. YOU WILL BE WARNED ONCE IF YOU CONTINUE, YOUR COMMENTS WILL BE MUTED AND YOU MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE MEETING. SPEAKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE TITLES RATHER THAN NAMES. FOR EXAMPLE CHAIR, BOARD MEMBER, SUPERINTENDENT, PRINCIPAL, ETC. THERE ARE. THERE IS ONE LIVE PUBLIC COMMENTER TONIGHT. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS MISS NAKIA CUMMINGS. INDIVIDUAL. TIMOTHY AND DEVIN CUMMINGS. I LOVE HOW EVERYTHING IS PART RIGHT HERE. ALL RIGHT. SO IF I HAVE A COMMENT. SYSTEM. SO LET'S SEE HERE. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TIMOTHY CUMMINGS. THIS IS DEVIN. TIMOTHY THE SECOND, AND MY WIFE, NAKIA. WHAT BRINGS US HERE TODAY IS A BOUNDARY ISSUE THAT WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING SINCE AUGUST THE 28TH. WE SUBMITTED OUR PAPERWORK. ON AUGUST THE 28TH. IT IS NOW FEBRUARY THE 7TH. AND WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BASED OFF ARE ARE ASKING THE BOARD OR TO KEEP MY SONS AT FRIENDLY HIGH SCHOOL. WE HAVE A FORT WASHINGTON ADDRESS AND THEY THEY PREFER [00:05:07] US TO ATTEND OXON HILL, WHICH IS OVERCROWDED, BY THE WAY. I ASKED, I WENT TO THE PROPER PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES ON HANDLING THE SITUATION. I FEEL AS THOUGH THAT IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOT TO THIS LEVEL. I THINK IT COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED ON THE LOWER LEVEL AS AN EMPLOYEE OF PG PC'S. I SHOW SPECIAL CONSIDERATION EVERY DAY. I HAD A CLASS TODAY OF 70 STUDENTS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A LACK OF TEACHERS. MY SUPERVISOR HAS SEEN ME CONDUCT SPECIAL CONSIDERATION ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. AND WHEN, WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR THE COUNTY TO SHOW ME CONSIDERATION. JUST TO KEEP MY KIDS AT FRIENDLY, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS NOW. I DON'T KNOW AN EDUCATOR THAT DOESN'T SHOW STUDENTS SPECIAL CONSIDERATION. SO THE MANAGEMENT OR THE ADMINISTRATION HERE IT WAS. IT WAS YOU SAID TITLE. SO THE THE DIRECTOR OF PUPIL ACCOUNTING TOLD MY SON, IF HE SAYS YES TO ONE STUDENT, HE HAS TO SAY YES TO HIM ALL. AND AS A PERSON THAT EVALUATES THE SITUATION, THAT IS NOT TRUE. SO AND THEN HE SAID IN THE FINDINGS, IT WAS SPECULATIVE THAT HE WOULD NOT BE MENTALLY STRESSED OVER THE DECISION. AND I'M GOING TO LET HIM GET THE LAST WHAT? GO AHEAD. TELL THEM HOW STRESSFUL IT. WHEN I ATTENDED OXFORD HILL. MIND YOU, I WAS THAT FRIENDLY FOR THE BEGINNING OF MY TWO YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL. I STARTED THERE, AND WHEN I GOT TO OXON HILL, I FELT MORE SO, LIKE, ALONE. LIKE ON AN ISLAND BY MYSELF. I MEAN, I HAD MY LITTLE BROTHER THERE, BUT IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO ADAPT TO A NEW ENVIRONMENT, A BIGGER ENVIRONMENT WHERE I DID NOT KNOW ANYBODY. AND IT FELT LIKE MY MY FRIENDS WERE BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM ME, AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER ANYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON. SO I FELT REALLY LIKE SAD ALL THE TIME. I DIDN'T HAVE REALLY LIKE IT WASN'T NOTHING TO REALLY SMILE ABOUT FOR ME, BECAUSE THE THINGS THAT I HELD DEAR TO MY HEART WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM ME, AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS PART OF THE AGENDA. MOVING TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING THE VALUES OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CONFIRMING ITS STATUS AS A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL [5. Consent Agenda] STUDENTS. WE WERE GOING TO READ THE THE PROCLAMATION, BUT DUE TO OUR LATE START WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THAT UNTIL THE END. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE'S TIME. AND THE DOCUMENT IS ON BOARD DOCS, AND IF YOU NEED A COPY, WE CAN GET ONE FROM YOU. FOR YOU IF YOU'RE HERE TONIGHT. AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET YOU. WE CAN READ IT BEFORE THE END OF THE NIGHT. BUT IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROCLAMATION? DO YOU HAVE A LIGHT? OKAY. THE BOARD CHAIR RECOGNIZES BOARD MEMBER STRUTHERS. YEAH. THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS PROCLAMATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING OUT AS A BOARD. AND I WANT TO THANK BOARD MEMBER MOSS FOR HIS HARD WORK ON THE WRITING OF THE PROCLAMATION. THANK YOU. IS THAT BOARD MEMBER MOSS? IS THAT DOCTOR MOSS? OKAY. YEAH. THANK YOU, CHAIR JACKSON, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS WORK. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR SUPERINTENDENT PREDATING THIS WORK, AND THE INCREDIBLE WORK TO REMIND OUR PARENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT PRINCE GEORGE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE INDEED A SAFE PLACE. THIS IS A REALLY REMARKABLE DAY FOR OUR DISTRICT TO SIMPLY REAFFIRM WHAT WE'VE ALREADY SAID IN OUR EQUITY POLICY. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT. I HAVE DEEP CONVICTIONS ABOUT THIS. AS SOMEONE WHO'S A MAN OF THE CLOTH, LEVITICUS REMINDS ME THAT YOU'VE GOT TO TREAT THOSE WHO DIDN'T GROW UP IN THIS PLACE AS YOU WOULD FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY DID GROW UP IN THIS PLACE. SO I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THE BOARD'S LEADERSHIP HERE, AND I WANT TO THANK OUR CHAIRMAN FOR HIS DECISIVE LEADERSHIP IN MAKING SURE WE SHARE WITH [00:10:05] OUR STUDENTS THAT THEY'RE SAFE. THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER MOSS. DOES THAT CONCLUDE ALL THE QUESTIONS FOR TONIGHT? YES, SIR. THANK YOU. ALRIGHTY. THANK YOU. YEAH, I DEFINITELY WANT TO ECHO MY COLLEAGUE'S SENTIMENTS. THIS IS WE ARE A COUNTY OF MANY DIVERSE PEOPLE, NATIONALITIES, ETHNICITIES, WISDOM, TRADITIONS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. AND I THINK THAT THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. WE UNDERSTAND THE SENSITIVITY OF THIS SUBJECT. WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO AFFIRM THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN THIS COUNTY. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, WE WILL TAKE THE VOTE. MISS BARTON, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. DOCTOR ANDERSON. I MISS A. MR. BRIGGS. AYE. MR. JUNCO. I, DOCTOR MOSS. I. MR. JACKSON. I. SIX OF THE AFFIRMATIVE. THE THE PROCLAMATION IS ADOPTED. THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR. NOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO THE PRESENTATIONS. AND SO WHAT WE WANTED TO DO TODAY, SINCE WE SUSPENDED THE RULES, [6. Presentations] WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE OUR COMMUNITIES WITH INFORMATION TO ARM THEM AND EDUCATE THEM ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE SITUATION AND MAKE AND MAKE SURE WE CAN JUST BE EDUCATED IN WHAT'S GOING ON. AS WE EXPERIENCE THESE TURBULENT TIMES. SO THE CHAIRMAN WILL RECOGNIZE PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR QUESTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND PERSONS. YOU CAN SIGN UP TO SPEAK. OTHER QUESTIONS. SIGN UP SHEET IS AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM FOR THOSE ONLINE. YOU CAN SUBMIT QUESTIONS THROUGH THE ONLINE FORM USING THE WEBSITES DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN. YOUR QUESTIONS WILL BE READ OUT LOUD. SO OUR FIRST SPEAKER TODAY IS DOCTOR DONNA CHRISTIE FROM PGC. SHE'S GOING TO SPEAK ON RIGHTS OF OUR MEMBERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WELCOME EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO ENSURING OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE SPACES FOR ALL STUDENTS. MY NAME IS DOCTOR DONNA CHRISTIE AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF PGC. TODAY I WILL SHARE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING EDUCATORS LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO IMMIGRANT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, AS WELL AS OUR ROLE IN SUPPORTING OUR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS. WE WILL ALSO DISCUSS WHY PGC SUPPORTS THIS RESOLUTION. HERE WE GO. FIRST, IMMIGRATION ISSUES MAY SEEM COMPLEX, BUT SOME TRUTHS ARE UNDENIABLE. EVERY CHILD IN THE UNITED STATES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS, HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO A K-12 EDUCATION. THIS IS NOT UP FOR DEBATE. SCHOOLS SHOULD BE PLACES OF LEARNING, NOT FEAR. YET TODAY, FAMILIES ARE BEING TORN APART AND STUDENTS ARE LEFT ANXIOUS ABOUT THEIR FUTURES. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE AS EDUCATORS STAND UNITED IN OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT ALL STUDENTS. THAT MEANS PROVIDING THE RESOURCES, STAFFING AND PROGRAMS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS NEW TO THIS COUNTRY CAN THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE. IT ALSO MEANS ENSURING THAT FAMILIES REMAIN WHOLE, THAT OUR SCHOOLS SERVE AS SAFE, WELCOMING SPACES WHERE STUDENTS FEEL SECURE ENOUGH TO FOCUS ON LEARNING AND GROWING. LET'S BE CLEAR THE ATTACKS ON IMMIGRATION IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE A RUTHLESS POLITICAL STRATEGY DESIGNED TO SCAPEGOAT AND DEHUMANIZE A POLITICAL PLOY DESIGNED TO DIVIDE US BY RACE, LANGUAGE AND PLACE OF ORIGIN. BUT WE SEE THROUGH IT NO MATTER WHERE WE COME FROM, WHAT LANGUAGE WE SPEAK, HOW WE WORSHIP, OR WHAT OUR IMMIGRATION STATUS IS, WE ALL SHARE THE SAME HOPES TO WORK HARD TO CARE FOR OUR FAMILIES, AND TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN. RIGHT NOW, TOO MANY OF OUR CHILDREN ARE AFRAID. TOO MANY FAMILIES ARE LIVING IN FEAR. AND TOO AND TO MANY EDUCATORS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY ARE LEFT WITHOUT CLEAR POLICIES AND PROTECTIONS TO SAFEGUARD THEIR STUDENTS. AND THAT MUST CHANGE. NOW LET'S DISCUSS THE LEGAL PROTECTIONS IN PLACE AND WHY THEY ARE CRITICAL IN SAFEGUARDING OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. [00:15:04] THE FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT, OR FERPA, IS A KEY LEGAL SAFEGUARD THAT PROTECTS STUDENT PRIVACY. UNDER THIS LAW, EDUCATORS ARE PROHIBITED FROM SHARING ANY STUDENT INFORMATION, INCLUDING IMMIGRATION STATUS, WITHOUT A COURT ORDERED SUBPOENA. THIS MEANS THAT EVEN IF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS COME ASKING FOR DETAILS, WE ARE LEGALLY BOUND TO WITHHOLD THAT INFORMATION. IN ADDITION, THE FOURTH AMENDMENT OF THE US CONSTITUTION PROTECTS ALL INDIVIDUALS FROM FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES, WHICH APPLIES TO OUR SCHOOLS, CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE NOT PUBLIC SPACES. THIS MEANS THAT ICE AGENTS CANNOT ENTER A SCHOOL UNLESS THEY HAVE A JUDICIAL WARRANT, NOT AN ADMINISTRATIVE ONE, BUT A JUDICIAL ONE SIGNED BY A JUDGE. IF THEY LACK SUCH A WARRANT. THEY MUST BE DENIED ENTRY. AND THAT IS A LEGAL RIGHT, NOT INTERFERENCE. THESE LAWS ARE NOT ABSTRACT RULES, BUT DIRECT PROTECTIONS THAT THAT SHIELD OUR STUDENTS FROM UNWARRANTED DISRUPTIONS AND TRAUMA. BY UNDERSTANDING AND ENFORCING THESE LEGAL PROVISIONS, WE CREATE A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS CAN FOCUS ON THEIR EDUCATION WITHOUT FEARING BEING TARGETED BASED ON THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. OUR SUPERINTENDENT HAS PROVIDED CLEAR GUIDANCE ON WHAT TO DO IF ICE COMES TO YOUR SCHOOL. IF ICE OR IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS ARRIVE AT A AT A SCHOOL. IT IS CRITICAL TO FOLLOW ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND RIGHTS OF OUR STUDENTS ARE PROTECTED. FIRST, DO NOT ENGAGE OR PROVIDE INFORMATION. DIRECT OFFICIALS TO THE PRINCIPAL IMMEDIATELY. SECOND, REQUEST IDENTIFICATION DETAILS. ASK FOR THE OFFICER'S NAME, BADGE NUMBER, AND SUPERVISOR'S CONTACT INFORMATION. DOCUMENT THEIR STATED REASON FOR BEING THERE. THIRD REQUEST AND OBTAIN DOCUMENTATION IF EYFS PROVIDES A SUBPOENA, WARRANT, OR OTHER LEGAL DOCUMENTS. TAKE COPIES AND FORWARD THEM TO THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL. FOURTH, DIRECT ICE OFFICIALS TO WAIT OUTSIDE. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO STUDENTS OR RECORDS UNTIL LEGAL COUNSEL HAS BEEN CONSULTED. FIFTH CONTACT THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL IMMEDIATELY AT 26063. DO NOT TAKE ACTION UNTIL LEGAL GUIDANCE IS PROVIDED. SIX. NOTIFY PARENTS OR GUARDIANS AFTER LEGAL COUNSEL HAS BEEN CONSULTED IF A STUDENT IS DETAINED. REQUEST LOCATION DETAILS FROM ICE AND INFORM THE STUDENT'S FAMILY. THE SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL IMMEDIATELY. DOCUMENT ALL INTERACTIONS. ENSURE SCHOOL SECURITY PERSONNEL NOTIFY SUPERVISORS AND DETAIL. KEEP DETAILED RECORDS. FINALLY, IF AN OFFICER CLAIMS EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACCESS, COMPLY BUT REPORT THE INCIDENT TO LEGAL COUNSEL IMMEDIATELY. FOLLOWING THESE STEPS ENSURES THAT WE PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF OUR STUDENTS WHILE REMAINING COMPLIANT WITH THE LAW. NOW, BEYOND THE LEGAL PROTECTIONS, WE MUST ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES FEEL SAFE AND SUPPORTED IN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. THIS COMMITMENT IS NOT JUST ABOUT POLICY. IT IS ABOUT CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY STUDENT KNOWS THEY BELONG AND EVERY FAMILY KNOWS THEY ARE VALUED. OUR SCHOOLS SHOULD BE PLACES WHERE STUDENTS ARE FREE TO LEARN AND GROW, UNBURDENED BY FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY. AND EDUCATORS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN MAKING THAT A REALITY. SO WE MUST BE INTENTIONAL IN OUR EFFORTS TO CULTIVATE INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES. SO THESE ARE THINGS EDUCATORS CAN DO TO CREATE WELCOMING ENVIRONMENTS. BY DISPLAYING INCLUSIVE MESSAGES, FOSTERING CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING AND ENSURING EVERY STUDENT FEELS SEEN AND RESPECTED. ADVOCATE FOR NECESSARY RESOURCES SUCH AS BILINGUAL STAFF, TRANSLATED MATERIALS, AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES THAT MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF OUR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS. PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON LEGAL RIGHTS BY DIRECTING FAMILIES TO TRUSTED LEGAL AID ORGANIZATIONS. ENSURING THEY HAVE ACCESS TO ACCURATE INFORMATION AND PROTECTIONS, EMPOWER STUDENTS THROUGH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES BY SUPPORTING CLUBS AND STUDENT LED INITIATIVES CELEBRATING DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION. STRENGTHEN FAMILY SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS BY ENGAGING WITH FAMILIES IN CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE WAYS, PROVIDING MULTILINGUAL COMMUNICATION, AND ENSURING FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND AVAILABLE SUPPORT, [00:20:08] AND OFFER EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. BY COLLABORATING WITH OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS, SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO ADDRESS THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACED BY IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND CHAMPIONED POLICIES THAT UPHOLD SAFE SCHOOL SAFETY. BY ADVOCATING FOR STRONGER DISTRICT, STATE, AND FEDERAL PROTECTIONS TO ENSURE IMMIGRANT STUDENTS ARE SAFEGUARDED. OUR DUTY AS EDUCATORS IS NOT JUST TO TEACH ACADEMICS, BUT TO UPHOLD THE DIGNITY AND HUMANITY OF EVERY STUDENT IN OUR CLASSROOMS. BY ACTIVELY SUPPORTING OUR IMMIGRANT STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, WE REAFFIRM OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND EDUCATION FOR ALL. SO WHY IS PCA SUPPORTING THIS THIS RESOLUTION? WELL, THE SHORT ANSWER IS IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. BUT OF COURSE I HAVE A LONGER ANSWER TO IT UPHOLDS OUR CORE VALUES OF INCLUSION, EQUITY AND JUSTICE. THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT JUST A STATEMENT, BUT A COMMITMENT TO ACTION AND PROTECTION FOR ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS. IT PROVIDES A CLEAR DIRECTIVE THAT CPS WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT BEYOND WHAT IS LEGALLY REQUIRED. SCHOOLS SHOULD BE A PLACE OF EDUCATION AND NOT FEAR. IT REAFFIRMS STUDENTS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND CLARIFIES THAT HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION BASED ON IMMIGRATION STATUS, RACE, LANGUAGE OR IDENTITY CHARACTERISTICS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. IT STRENGTHENS COLLABORATION WITH UNION PARTNERS, IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE EDUCATORS, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES AND PROTECTIONS. IT REINFORCES OUR ADVOCACY FOR STATE AND FEDERAL POLICIES THAT PROTECT IMMIGRANT STUDENTS, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS LIKE DACA AND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS. WE STAND AGAINST ANY LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS THAT UNDERMINE THESE PROTECTIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE RESOLUTION COMMITS CPS TO PROVIDE TRAINING, MULTILINGUAL RESOURCES, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE SO THAT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES CAN ACCESS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES. FINALLY, IT EMPOWERS EDUCATORS TO ACTIVELY FOSTER A SAFE, INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. WE MUST ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS CAN THRIVE WITHOUT FEAR. THIS RESOLUTION IS A STEP TOWARD MAKING THAT A REALITY. AS I CONCLUDE, I WANT TO REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE OF ONGOING ADVOCACY AND ACTION. WE MUST CONTINUE ADVOCATING FOR SAFE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS WHERE ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN WITHOUT FEAR. THIS MEANS ENSURING THAT PROTECTIONS LIKE THOSE OUTLINED IN THIS RESOLUTION ARE NOT JUST POLICIES, BUT ARE ACTIVELY IMPLEMENTED AND UPHELD. EDUCATORS SHOULD STAY INFORMED OF THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. UNDERSTANDING FERPA, THE FOURTH AMENDMENT, AND OTHER POLICIES AND LEGISLATION EQUIPS US TO ACT CONFIDENTLY WHEN CONFRONTED WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT SITUATIONS. SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IS NOT JUST ABOUT POLICY, IT'S ABOUT ACTION. WE MUST CONNECT FAMILIES TO RESOURCES SUCH AS LEGAL AID, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORKS TO ENSURE THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. AND WE MUST PUSH FOR STRONGER LEGAL PROTECTIONS AT THE STATE LEVEL. THE PROTECTING SENSITIVE LOCATIONS ACT, CURRENTLY BEFORE THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WOULD FURTHER SAFEGUARD STUDENTS BY ENSURING THAT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS DO NOT OCCUR IN SCHOOLS AND OTHER SENSITIVE LOCATIONS. ADVOCATING FOR ITS PASSAGE IS CRITICAL IN PROTECTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS. SO FINALLY, CEA WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND POLICYMAKERS TO ENSURE THAT THE COMMITMENTS IN THIS RESOLUTION ARE REALIZED IN PRACTICE. WE STAND FIRM IN OUR PLEDGE TO SUPPORT EVERY STUDENT, EVERY FAMILY, AND EVERY EDUCATOR IN THIS FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND EQUITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO STAY ENGAGED, STAY INFORMED AND TAKE ACTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR. DONNA CHRISTY. NEXT, THE CHAIRMAN RECOGNIZES MISS SHANNON. WILKE FOR THE CENTRAL AMERICAN SOLIDARITY ASSOCIATION, ALSO KNOWN AS CASA. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS PRESENTATION. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SHANNON WILKE DE BENITEZ, AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AT CASA. BEFORE I BEGIN, I WANT TO THANK THE SUPERINTENDENT, THANK THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. [00:25:05] THANK PGC E FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, FROM OUR STAFF, FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN PROTECTING OUR IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AT THIS CRITICAL TIME. AS WAS REFERENCED, RIGHT. THIS IS JUST A REAFFIRMATION OF THE COMMITMENT THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY. AND AGAIN, WE ARE SO DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT COMMITMENT. SO FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH CASA, WANTED TO START BY SAYING THAT WITH OVER 170 300 LIFETIME MEMBERS FROM ACROSS 60 OR EXCUSE ME, 46 US STATES. CASA IS A NATIONAL POWERHOUSE ORGANIZATION BUILDING POWER AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND WORKING CLASS BLACK, LATINO, AFRO DESCENDANT, INDIGENOUS AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. CASA CREATES CHANGE WITH ITS POWER BUILDING MODEL, BLENDING HUMAN SERVICES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, AND ADVOCACY IN ORDER TO SERVE THE FULL SPECTRUM OF THE NEEDS, DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS OF OUR MEMBERS. WE ENVISION A FUTURE WHERE WE STAND IN OUR OWN POWER AND OUR FAMILIES LIVE FREE OF DISCRIMINATION AND FEAR. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THOSE WHO ARE WITH ME TODAY. OUR ADVOCACY IS NOT ONLY FOR, BUT IT IS LED BY OUR CASA MEMBERSHIP. SO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT VERY FAMILIAR WITH CASA, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WE ARE CASA. AND WHEN YOU GO THERE, YOU WILL RECEIVE. YOU'LL FIND A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGNS AND ABOUT OUR SERVICES, BUT VERY IMPORTANTLY, INFORMATION PERTAINING TO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND HOW TO HOW TO ACT IF YOU ARE CONFRONTED BY ICE. SO UP HERE NOW YOU CAN SEE THIS IS CASA'S HOTLINE. IF YOU DO SEE ICE OR ICE ATTEMPTS TO INTERACT WITH YOU, PLEASE CALL THIS NUMBER. WHAT I'M GOING TO DO RIGHT NOW IS GO OVER SOME VERY IMPORTANT FUNDAMENTAL REALITIES ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE RIGHTS THAT EVERYBODY HAS. BUT THIS IS VERY MUCH AN ABBREVIATED PRESENTATION. AGAIN, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND OUR COMPLETE MANUAL ON KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. AND YOU AND YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT CASA SO THAT WE CAN VISIT YOUR COMMUNITIES TO. SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH THOSE IN NEED OF IT. SO AS I HAVE ALREADY STATED RIGHT, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES HAS CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. THESE RIGHTS DO NOT CHANGE DEPENDING ON YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS. THESE ARE RIGHTS THAT WE ALL HAVE. SO TWO VERY IMPORTANT RIGHTS TO REMEMBER ARE THOSE RELATED TO OUR FIFTH AMENDMENT AND TO THE FOURTH AMENDMENT. SO WITH THE FIFTH AMENDMENT, WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. RIGHT. IF YOU ARE ENCOUNTERED BY ICE, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING. IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. RIGHT ON. ON OCCASIONS, ICE WILL ATTEMPT TO BE FRIENDLY. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THEY WILL ATTEMPT TO ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHATEVER INFORMATION YOU ARE PROVIDING IN THAT MOMENT WILL ULTIMATELY BE USED TO BUILD A CASE AGAINST YOU. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW THE INTERACTION GOES, TO ALWAYS REMAIN SILENT. ALSO, MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING WITHOUT FIRST SPEAKING TO AN ATTORNEY. WRITE JUST AS VERBALLY. YOU DON'T WANT TO COMMUNICATE. YOU DON'T WANT TO COMMUNICATE IN WRITING. WRITE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REMAIN SILENT AND HAVE WHATEVER DOCUMENTATION THEY ARE ASKING YOU TO SIGN TO INSTEAD BE FIRST REVIEWED BY AN ATTORNEY RIGHT ON THE CASA WEBSITE. IF YOU GO TO OUR KNOW YOUR RIGHTS MANUAL, YOU WILL FIND A COPY OF WHAT WE CALL OUR RED CARDS RIGHT ON THERE. IT HAS SIMPLE LANGUAGE. YOU CAN SHOW THAT TO THE ICE AGENT TO AFFIRM THAT YOU ARE EXERCISING YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. ALL RIGHT. SO GOING TO NUMBER TWO HERE, YOUR FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHT. THIS IS WHAT PROTECTS ALL OF US AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCH AND SEIZURE IN YOUR HOME. SO THE ONLY TIME IN WHICH ICE IS PERMITTED TO ENTER YOUR HOME IS IF THEY HAVE A JUDICIAL WARRANT. SO, AS WAS ALREADY STATED, RIGHT. THIS IS NOT AN ADMINISTRATIVE WARRANT. THIS NEEDS TO BE A JUDICIAL WARRANT. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT IT IS SIGNED BY A JUDGE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO OPEN YOUR DOOR UNLESS YOU SEE THAT THERE IS A WARRANT SIGNED BY A JUDGE, [00:30:07] RIGHT? THINK ABOUT WARRANTS, ANY TYPE OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION ON THERE AND CAN BE TRICKY TO READ, RIGHT. THE IMPORTANT THING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS TO LEARN THAT WORD JUDGE, RIGHT? THAT'S THE ONE WORD YOU REALLY NEED. IT'S CRITICAL TO FIND THE WORD JUDGE, RIGHT AND NOT TO LET PEOPLE ENTER YOUR HOME UNLESS YOU SEE THAT SIGNATURE WITH THE JUDGE'S NAME NEXT TO IT. RIGHT. YOU CAN ASK THE ICE AGENT TO PUT THE WARRANT UNDER THE DOOR OR HOLD IT UP TO A WINDOW, BUT YOU SHOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO READ THAT WARRANT. RIGHT, BECAUSE THEN YOU ARE GIVING CONSENT FOR THEM TO ENTER INTO YOUR HOME. RIGHT. AS I SAID BEFORE, THERE IS AN ICE HOTLINE, RIGHT? IF YOU ARE IN THIS SITUATION, YOU CAN CALL THAT NUMBER AND IN REAL TIME, RIGHT. YOU CAN SEND A PICTURE OF THE DOCUMENT THAT IS BEING SHOWN AND GET ADVICE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD OPEN THE DOOR. RIGHT. ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, THE WARRANT WILL HAVE THE FULL COMPLETE NAME OF THE INDIVIDUAL THAT ICE IS LOOKING FOR, AS WELL AS THEIR ADDRESS. SO IF ANY OF THIS INFORMATION IS NOT ACCURATE, RIGHT? THE ADDRESS IS WRONG. THE NAME IS WRONG AGAIN, RIGHT? THAT'S NOT A VALID, VALID WARRANT SIGNED BY A JUDGE FOR THE PERSON THAT ICE IS ATTEMPTING TO INTERACT WITH, RIGHT. AND ALWAYS AGAIN, RIGHT. TO REMAIN SILENT. THIS CONTINUES IF YOU ARE IN A PUBLIC SPACE AND APPROACHED BY ICE RIGHT, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT AND YOU CAN ASK IF YOU ARE FREE TO GO. IF YOU ARE TOLD THAT YOU ARE FREE TO GO. WALK AWAY CALMLY. RIGHT. IF YOU ARE IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS, UNDERSTANDABLY, YOU'RE GOING TO BE NERVOUS, RIGHT? AND THERE'S THE TEMPTATION TO GET OUT OF THERE FAST, BUT MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT WALKING QUICKLY, RUNNING QUICKLY. ANYTHING TO MAKE YOUR BEHAVIOR BE PERCEIVED AS SUSPICIOUS. INSTEAD, ASK IF YOU ARE ABLE TO LEAVE, IF YOU'RE FREE TO GO, AND THEN CALMLY WALK AWAY. AND AGAIN, DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE HAD IT REVIEWED BY AN ATTORNEY. VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND FOR ANY INTERACTION, RIGHT? NEVER PROVIDE FALSE INFORMATION. NEVER PROVIDE FALSE OR FAKE DOCUMENTS, AND NEVER PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTS THAT BELONG TO ANOTHER PERSON. INSTEAD, RIGHT. PRACTICE YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT AND SEEK LEGAL SUPPORT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. CAN WE PULL UP STUDENT SERVICES? DOCTOR FAISON. AND WE'RE GOING TO PULL UP STUDENT SERVICE FIRST. DOCTOR FAISON, CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE THE MICROPHONE? FOR THE PRESENTATION? YES, MA'AM. ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT FROM RIGHT THERE? OKAY. THAT'S FINE. ALL RIGHT. GOOD. OKAY. GOOD EVENING, SUPERINTENDENT HOUSE AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. TONIGHT, OUR PRESENTATION WILL BE DONE TOGETHER WITH MARY OUTLAW, WITH SAFETY AND SECURITY AND MYSELF FROM STUDENT SERVICES. WE'LL PROCEED TO THE NEXT SLIDE. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARY OUTLAW. THANK YOU FOR AFFORDING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS IMPORTANT ASPECT BACK TO THE FIRST LETTER ON BEHALF OF MY DIRECTOR, GARY CUNNINGHAM. THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY WAS ABLE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE IMMIGRATION, CUSTOMS AND ENFORCEMENT FIELD OFFICE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ICE. AT THIS TIME, THE DIRECTOR HAS SHARED WITH OUR DIRECTOR THAT THEIR FOCUS IS ON SERVING WARRANTS FOR CRIMES OF VIOLENCE, FOR LOCATING ACTIVE GANG MEMBERS, AND FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS ACCUSED OF DRUG TRAFFICKING. ANYONE THAT ICE IS TARGETING, QUOTE UNQUOTE, AT THIS TIME ARE INDIVIDUALS WITH OPEN CRIMINAL WARRANTS. ADDITIONALLY, ICE WANTED TO SHARE THAT THEY ARE PRACTICING WHAT THEY CALL TARGETED ENFORCEMENT OF CRIMINAL WARRANTS AND CRIMINAL WARRANTS ONLY. [00:35:06] THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT CURRENTLY, IT IS NOT THEIR INTENTION TO SHOW UP TO SCHOOLS AND TO CONDUCT ANY KIND OF RANDOM SWEEPS WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS OF OUR STUDENTS. ON THIS SLIDE, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE OUR PROCEDURES FOR VISITORS ON CAMPUS, AND THIS REGARDS ICE AND SPEAKING WITH THE SROS, THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO WORK WITH ICE. SO AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THESE ARE THE STEPS THAT WE WILL TAKE AS A SCHOOL SYSTEM IF AN ICE ENFORCEMENT AGENT WERE TO SHOW UP. NEXT SLIDE. AND JUST SO THAT WE ARE REINFORCING OUR STAY OUR STANCE, WE ARE ONE TEAM. THE OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY HAS A LONG AND RICH HISTORY OF WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ADMINISTRATIONS IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS. WE ARE IN LOCKSTEP WITH THE PRINCIPALS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN ALL THINGS, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR ADMINISTRATORS WITH REGARD TO ANY POSSIBLE VISITS IN THE FUTURE FROM ICE AND ANY OTHER CONCERNS THAT OUR SCHOOLS MAY FACE. THANK YOU. AND ALONG THE PROTOCOLS THAT MARY DESCRIBED, SCRIBD. I ALSO WANT TO PROVIDE SOME OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED TO OUR ADMINISTRATORS, TO STUDENTS, AND TO OUR FAMILIES. AND SO I SIT ON BEHALF OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM. MANY OFFICES CAME TOGETHER IN NOVEMBER TO BEGIN TO TALK ABOUT THE CONCERNS AND THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES. THIS INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM BASICALLY BEGAN PROVIDING TRAINING, PULLED TOGETHER INFORMATION, DEVELOPED A GOOGLE WEBSITE FOR OUR ADMINISTRATORS, AND THEN TALKED ABOUT HOW WE COULD SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES, AND ESPECIALLY THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS. OUR SUPPORT FOR OUR ADMINISTRATORS. SO IN ADDITION TO OUR SUPERINTENDENTS MESSAGE, WE ALSO PROVIDED A MEMORANDUM TO OUR PRINCIPALS THAT PROVIDED THE LINK TO THE GOOGLE SITE. IT ALSO PROVIDED PROTOCOLS. IT ALSO PROVIDED MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES THAT OUR PRINCIPALS COULD USE AND ENSURE THEIR STUDENTS HAD KNOWLEDGE OF. IT ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS. SO WE BEGAN LEVEL SETTING ACROSS THE COUNTY. WHAT OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE NEEDED TO KNOW. IN ADDITION, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT TO PRINCIPALS AT THEIR NEXT UPCOMING PRINCIPALS MEETING. THEY WILL RECEIVE ADDITIONAL TRAINING ON THE RIGHTS OF FAMILIES, HOW TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THE PROTOCOL, AND WE ALSO WILL ENGAGE THEM AROUND ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT THEY MAY HAVE IN SUPPORTING THEIR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT WE HAVE SCHOOL COUNSELORS, OUR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND OUR MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS WHO PROVIDE BOTH CLINICAL AND NON-CLINICAL SUPPORT TO OUR STUDENTS. SO FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WHO MAY BE IN CRISIS, WHO MAY HAVE ANXIETY, WHO MAY HAVE A NEED FOR SUPPORT. THESE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR SCHOOLS ARE THERE TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE IN CRISIS AT THE TIME. OUR HAZEL HEALTH TELEHEALTH THERAPY ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT WANT TO ENTER A SCHOOL COUNSELOR'S OFFICE DURING THE DAY, AND SO THIS RESOURCE IS AVAILABLE TO OUR FAMILIES FROM 7 A.M. IN THE MORNING UNTIL 7 P.M. IN THE EVENING. IT PROVIDES BOTH MEDICAL SUPPORT TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SUPPORT TO OUR FAMILIES SO EITHER STUDENTS CAN UTILIZE HAZEL HAZEL HEALTH SUPPORT DURING THE DAY, OR THEY CAN DO SO IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOMES WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN THE EVENING. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE PROVIDED IN PRINT NINE, EIGHT, EIGHT TO OUR FAMILIES. IT IS THE NATIONAL SUICIDE CRISIS LINE, AS WELL AS OTHER RESOURCES FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE IN CRISIS. IMMEDIATELY, IMMEDIATELY. AND SO SOMETIMES THESE NUMBERS ARE MOST CRITICAL TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. AFTER HOURS WHEN THEY'RE NOT IN SCHOOL WITH THEIR COUNSELORS OR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS OR THEIR PSYCHOLOGISTS, WE PROVIDE THEM WITH INFORMATION THAT THEY CAN UTILIZE AT THEIR FINGERTIPS SHOULD THEY NEED IT AFTER HOURS, AND CERTAINLY OVER THE WEEKEND. THIS DOCUMENT, WHEN YOU CLICK THE LINK, IT PROVIDES A LIST OF MENTAL HEALTH [00:40:05] SUPPORTS AS WELL AS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL TOOLS. SO IT IT IT REALLY IS OUR GOAL TO ENSURE THAT OUR CULTURE AND CLIMATE OF OUR SCHOOLS REMAIN AS NORMAL AS POSSIBLE. HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE. AND THAT STUDENTS ARE KNOWING HOW TO HELP SEEK CARE, KNOWING HOW TO COPE, AND THEY'RE KNOWING HOW TO BUILD THOSE CHARACTER SKILLS IN ORDER TO HAVE A HEALTHY, SAFE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. AND SO, IN ADDITION TO WHAT YOU MAY SEE HERE, WHEN YOU CLICK THE LINK, OUR STATE HAS GRANTED OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM $25 MILLION THROUGH THE CONSORTIUM TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. AND SO WE STILL RELY ON THOSE IN THE BUILDING AND THOSE COMMUNITY WRAPAROUND ORGANIZATIONS WHO EITHER PUSH INTO OUR SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, OR WE REFER THOSE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN NEED TO THOSE RESOURCES. AND SO LASTLY, SUPPORTS FOR OUR FAMILIES. WE'VE HEARD OUR SUPERINTENDENTS MESSAGE ABOUT SAFETY AND EMOTIONAL SAFETY AND PHYSICAL SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND THAT OUR UNDERLYING BUSINESS IS LEARNING OUR SCHOOLS ENVIRONMENTS, BEING SAFE. IN ADDITION TO THAT MESSAGE, WE ALSO HAVE A WEBSITE THAT THE COMMUNICATIONS HAS DEVELOPED THAT ALSO PROVIDES ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO OUR FAMILIES. AND LASTLY, AND I DO HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF JUST THIS WEEK, WE HAD SIX ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO HOST A ZOOM EVENT WHERE CASA CAME TO SPEAK TO OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT OFFICE CAME TO PROVIDE INFORMATION. AND I ALSO PROVIDED INFORMATION AROUND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. AND SO LASTLY, WHAT WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO STAND WITH OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGH THESE TRYING TIMES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN PROVIDE AS MUCH SAFETY, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL SAFETY AND NORMALCY AS A SCHOOL AND AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. OUTSTANDING. OUTSTANDING JOB. AND SO NOW WE'LL MOVE TO THE QUESTIONS AND QUESTIONS SESSION BY THE BOARD MEMBERS. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ANY OF THE PRESENTATIONS? SEEING THAT THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS, WE DID RECEIVE A WRITTEN QUESTION FROM OUR ONLINE VIEWER. MISS MONICA CASANAS, FORGIVE ME IF I'M PRONOUNCING YOUR LAST NAME WRONG. SHE SAID THAT I WANT TO THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR PROCLAMATION AND TO SUPPORT AND FOR SUPPORT FOR OUR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU OVERALL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION. MORE OF A STATEMENT. MOVING ON TO NEW BUSINESS. SECTION 8.1. IS THERE ANY NEW BUSINESS? SINCE THAT, THERE'S NO NEW BUSINESS. WE CAN MOVE TO ADJOURN. WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING. TO OUR ONLINE VIEWERS, THANK YOU FOR. THANK YOU. GET THAT? WE SKIPPED. NO. YEP YEP YEP YEP. SORRY. WE WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TONIGHT'S MEETING TO OUR ONLINE VIEWERS. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE TIME IS NOW 622 AND THE FEBRUARY 7TH, 2025 SPECIAL. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING IS ADJOURNED. GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU ALL. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.