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New rules take effect Friday at Baltimore County school sporting events

New rules take effect Friday at Baltimore County school sporting events
COUNTY PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS STILL A FAN FAVORITE ACROSS BALTIMORE COUNTY, BUT THERE’S A GROWING CONCERN AMONG SCHOOL OFFICIALS ABOUT WHAT’S TAKING PLACE OFF THE FIELD. THE DISTRICT SAYS THAT’S WHY IT’S BEING FORCED TO DO MORE KEEP THOSE EVENTS SAFE AND FAMILY ORIENTED AS OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE TO COMMUNICATION IS CLEAR AND CONCISE SO THAT WAY THAT WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THESE EVENTS THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE. THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY AND BALTIMORE COUNTY EXPECTING FROM THEM. SO HERE’S WHAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS PUT INTO WRITING. IT’S PLACING ADDITIONAL STAFF AT ALL SECONDARY GAMES. THIS INCLUDES RECENTLY HIRED SAFETY ASSISTANCE. ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ATTEND THOSE SPORTING EVENTS MUST DO SO UNDER THE WATCH EYE OF AN ADULT. AND SPECTATORS WHO ENTER A GAME AND LEAD BEFORE THE GAME IS OVER WOULD NOT BE READMITTED. DISTRICT SAYS ANYONE ENGAGING IN VIOLENT OR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR WILL BE BANNED FROM GAMES FOR 90 DAYS. HARRIS SEAMLESS SUPPORT THE NEW RULES, ESPECIALLY THE SECTIONS THAT PROMISE EXTRA STAFF AT SPORTING EVENTS, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE MORE ADULT PRESENCE. ADULTS ARE QUALIFIED AND TRAINED. THEY MAKE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY FEEL SAFER. THIS ISN’T ABOUT LOOKING FOR TROUBLE. THIS IS ABOUT BEING PREEMPTIVE AND AND REACTING TO THE NEEDS FROM THE FROM THE COMMUNITY THE COUNTY’S TEACHER’S UNION IS ALSO ON BOARD WITH CREATING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT. THE EDUCATORS ARE REQUIRED TO DO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND FREQUENTLY SPORTING EVENTS ARE PART OF THAT. SO IT’S GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE SOME EXTRA SUPPORT THERE FOR THEM IN IN THESE EVENTS, EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTY SAYS THIS RESPONSE IS NOT DRIVEN BY ANY PARTICULAR SCHOOL INCIDENT. IT COMES ALMOST THREE WEEKS AFTER A FATAL SHOOTING OF A 14 YEAR OLD NEAR MILL ACADEMY NOW BESIDES BALTIMORE COUNTY ADEL RONDO HOWARD AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY’S HAVE ISSUED SIMILAR ATHLETIC EVENT DIRECTIVES MORE SYSTEMS COULD BE COMIN
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New rules take effect Friday at Baltimore County school sporting events
A new set of rules will take effect Friday for anyone attending a sporting event at Baltimore County Public Schools.BCPS issued a stern warning unsafe and unruly behavior that will not be tolerated at sporting events. The new directive comes just ahead of a number of high school games set to be played across the county.The changes were spelled out in a letter sent Monday to Baltimore County parents and guardians."It's our job to make sure the communication is clear and concise so that way that when they arrive at these events, they know exactly what the expectations are, they know exactly what to expect from Baltimore County and what Baltimore County is expecting from them," said Michael Sye, the district's director of athletics.The district is placing additional staff at all secondary games, which includes recently hired safety assistants. Elementary and middle school students who attend those sporting events must go with an adult. And, spectators who enter a game and leave before the game is over will not be readmitted.The district said anyone engaging in violent or criminal behavior will be banned from games for 90 days.Parents who spoke with 11 News on Thursday said they support the new rules, especially the sections that promise extra staff at sporting events."I think the more adults present, and if those adults are qualified and trained, they make the whole community feel safer. This isn't about looking for trouble. This is about being preemptive and reacting to the needs from the community," said Yara Cheikh, a Baltimore County parent.The Teachers Association of Baltimore County is also on board with creating a safer environment."Educators are required to do after-school activities, and frequently, sporting events are part of that. So, it's good to know that there will be some extra support there for them at these events," TABCO President Cindy Sexton said.Even though the county said its response is not driven by any particular school incident, it comes almost three few weeks after a fatal shooting of a 14-year-old student near Milford Mill Academy."We just felt like we wanted to get out in front of athletic events to provide a safe and orderly atmosphere for our athletes," Sye said.In addition to Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery counties have issued similar athletic event directives, and more systems could be coming onboard.

A new set of rules will take effect Friday for anyone attending a sporting event at Baltimore County Public Schools.

BCPS issued a stern warning unsafe and unruly behavior that will not be tolerated at sporting events. The new directive comes just ahead of a number of high school games set to be played across the county.

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The changes were spelled out in a letter sent Monday to Baltimore County parents and guardians.

"It's our job to make sure the communication is clear and concise so that way that when they arrive at these events, they know exactly what the expectations are, they know exactly what to expect from Baltimore County and what Baltimore County is expecting from them," said Michael Sye, the district's director of athletics.

The district is placing additional staff at all secondary games, which includes recently hired safety assistants. Elementary and middle school students who attend those sporting events must go with an adult. And, spectators who enter a game and leave before the game is over will not be readmitted.

The district said anyone engaging in violent or criminal behavior will be banned from games for 90 days.

Parents who spoke with 11 News on Thursday said they support the new rules, especially the sections that promise extra staff at sporting events.

"I think the more adults present, and if those adults are qualified and trained, they make the whole community feel safer. This isn't about looking for trouble. This is about being preemptive and reacting to the needs from the community," said Yara Cheikh, a Baltimore County parent.

The Teachers Association of Baltimore County is also on board with creating a safer environment.

"Educators are required to do after-school activities, and frequently, sporting events are part of that. So, it's good to know that there will be some extra support there for them at these events," TABCO President Cindy Sexton said.

Even though the county said its response is not driven by any particular school incident, it comes almost three few weeks after a fatal shooting of a 14-year-old student near Milford Mill Academy.

"We just felt like we wanted to get out in front of athletic events to provide a safe and orderly atmosphere for our athletes," Sye said.

In addition to Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Howard and Montgomery counties have issued similar athletic event directives, and more systems could be coming onboard.

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