Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor is asking families to review school safety procedures with students ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, emphasizing emergency preparedness, reporting concerns, safe firearm storage, mental health and the district’s new restrictions on cell phones.
Taylor said MCPS continues to strengthen safety measures through training, emergency procedures, partnerships with law enforcement and first responders, mental health resources and security improvements. He also referenced several incidents from last school year, including firearms being discharged at two schools, unsecured doors and hate-related vandalism.
Taylor’s full letter to MCPS families is below:
A Safe Start to the School Year: Maybe the Most Important Thing You’ll Read This Summer
Dear MCPS Families,
With just two weeks left until the start of the school year, there is a lot of excitement in the air, and let’s admit it – some trepidation too. More important than school supplies, schedules, and first day outfits, safety at school is on all of our minds.
Parents often ask me a simple question: “What are you doing to help keep my child safe?”
The reality is that there is no single program, technology, or procedure that can guarantee perfect safety all of the time. I sincerely wish I could tell you otherwise. You have the expectation when your child leaves in the morning to go to school, that they are safe, but also that they also learn something and are better for the experience. We do too! And I need your help to make this a reality not just for your child, but all of MCPS’ 155,000 students.
Every year, we continue to strengthen the many layers of safety that protect our students and staff. Those layers include training, practiced emergency procedures, strong partnerships with law enforcement and first responders, mental health supports, secure facilities, and continual investments in other school security measures. Above all, relationships and people make the most significant difference in school safety.
The safest schools are places where students know trusted adults, where families stay engaged, where staff build strong relationships with students, and where everyone understands that safety is a shared responsibility.
Last school year reminded all of us why this matters. We experienced incidents involving the discharge of firearms at two schools. We also had some other really scary safety concerns, such as doors that should have remained secured were not, vandalism with hurtful hate biases, and several other issues.
Even though we cannot eliminate every risk, by working together, we can reduce risk.
We reduce risk when we all follow safety procedures, when we report concerns early, when we keep exterior doors closed and locked, and when we work together before a problem becomes a crisis. These aren’t simply rules; they are habits that help protect people.
As we prepare for the first day of school, I am asking every family to spend a few minutes reviewing the included information together.
Know our emergency procedures.
Please review the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) with your child. Students practice these procedures throughout the year so they know exactly what to do during an emergency. Families should understand them as well. When everyone knows what to expect, we are better prepared to respond safely. Learn more here (please print this page at home if you are able).
Speak up.
One of the most effective safety tools we have isn’t a camera or a locked door (although those are important).
It’s a conversation.
Please remind your child that if something doesn’t feel right, they should tell a trusted adult. Most situations are prevented because someone spoke up before a problem escalated. Families can also report concerns directly to their school or anonymously through the Maryland Safe Schools Tip Line. Learn more about MCPS Hate/Bias protocols.
Review the Student Code of Conduct.
The Student Code of Conduct is often thought of as a discipline document. It really isn’t.
It is our community’s shared commitment to creating schools that are respectful, welcoming, orderly, and safe. It explains the expectations that allow students to learn, build positive relationships, and understand that everyone has a role in maintaining a safe school environment. I encourage every family to review it together before the first day of school. Students will be held accountable for their behavior and the contents of this document.
Review the Student Code of Conduct using these links.
See the MCPS Student Code of Conduct Summary
Student Code of Conduct (Updated for 2026-2027)
Practice safe firearm storage.
If there are firearms in your home, or in any home your child visits, please make sure they are unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition. This is one of the simplest and most effective things adults can do to prevent tragedy. Please also remind your child that weapons of any kind — including look-alike firearms, knives, pepper spray, and other prohibited items — do not belong in our schools. Learn more here.
Use social media thoughtfully.
Social media helps us stay connected. Sometimes, what we post can also make a difficult situation much worse. During an emergency, rumors, speculation, and incomplete information spread incredibly fast. A single post can create fear, confuse families, and make it harder for emergency responders and school staff to do their jobs. The best information will always come from official MCPS communications and our public safety partners. Please talk with your child about their online presence. Think before posting or sharing. Learn more here.
Talk about mental health.
The start of school is exciting for many students, but it can also bring anxiety, stress, or uncertainty. Please remind your child that asking for help is a sign of strength. Whether they speak with a teacher, counselor, psychologist, or another trusted adult, we want every student to know they are not alone. Learn more here.
No cell phones in school all day.
Beginning this school year, MCPS is implementing No Cell, Bell to Bell across all grade levels as part of our transition to the Maryland Phone-Free School Act. The safest learning environments are the ones where distractions are mitigated and managed. Limiting the use of personal mobile devices during the school day supports both learning and school safety.
Learn more here. See the poster.
Thank You
We need your help to keep our schools safe. Every parent deserves to feel confident when they drop their child off at school. Every student deserves to feel safe when they walk through our doors.
Thank you (in advance) for taking a few minutes to review these resources with your child before the first day of school and thank you for your partnership. I look forward to working together to make sure all of our school communities have a great school year and a safe school year.
Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools
