A series of incidents at Woodlawn High School this week, including the discovery of a loaded gun and multiple fights, has left parents worried about student safety and demanding answers.
On Tuesday, school staff briefly held students and called police after reports of popping sounds outside the building, which police later determined were fireworks. A message went out to families.
The next day, a loaded gun was found inside the school following a fight. The school resource officer confiscated the weapon, and the student involved was arrested. Multiple messages went out to families.
On Thursday, another fight broke out involving four students, one of whom was sent to the hospital while the others were arrested. Another message went out to families.
“It’s been frustrating to say the least,” a parent of Woodlawn High School students Megan West said.
West also described the emotional toll of receiving multiple alarming messages from the school.
“As a parent, you have a different feeling when you get these text messages. When you get these frantic text messages and these calls back-to-back,” she said.
Neesa Dennis, another parent, has a 16-year-old son with special needs at Woodlawn. She explained that her son used their agreed-upon safe word this week to tell her he did not feel safe at school.
“He kept saying it. I’m trying not to get emotional, but he kept saying, ‘Yeah, mom,’ and I knew that that meant he wasn’t,” Dennis said.
Parents are calling for more than the clear bookbags introduced this school year. They want to see metal detectors.
Mo Canady, executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, suggested additional measures.
“I would encourage parents as they seek information from the school district to maybe bring up the idea of weapons detection systems,” Canady said.
Canady also emphasized the importance of fostering a culture where students feel encouraged to report serious incidents.
“Is it a culture and climate where students really are encouraged to report serious incidents like this?” he said.
Dennis stressed the need for collective action to address safety concerns.
“Even if we have to come together as parents, community, whatever. I’m not just putting it on the school system. I’m putting it on all of us. Because our kids are all of our responsibilities,” she said.
Parents have expressed interest in organizing a school community meeting to discuss the incidents and explore ways to improve safety measures.
Baltimore County Public Schools shared a statement with WBAL-TV 11 News:
“BCPS utilizes a multi-tiered approach for managing school safety and providing safe and welcoming learning environments for all students. We recognize that when such incidents happen, students, staff, and families are concerned, and we want to reaffirm our commitment to maintaining safe and orderly schools.
The Woodlawn High School staff, working in collaboration with the School Resource Officers (they have 2), responded swiftly to the incidents on Wednesday and Thursday. Those incidents were not connected.
In both cases, students made very poor choices that jeopardized the safety of the school community, and they will receive serious consequences, in addition to any law enforcement action. Disruptive and dangerous behaviors will not be tolerated.
Starting next week, additional safety personnel will be on site at Woodlawn to provide support.”
