Our hearts go out to the community of Great Mills High School in St. Mary's County. I want to, again, reassure our families and staff that safety is absolutely our number one priority. We all play a role in student safety, from our Department of School Safety to the Baltimore County Police Department, to our students, parents, and educators.

Collectively, we must continue to work together to keep all of our students safe, every day. We must also remain proactive in our efforts and be ever-vigilant in our safety practices. To that end, it is imperative that we conduct timely safety drills. Keep in mind, when drills are conducted, instruction and all activities must stop so that students and staff can practice what to do in the event of an emergency. We must take each drill seriously and always remember to communicate with one another. Remember, if you see something-say something. I would like to thank every BCPS staff member for doing your due diligence to ensure the safety and well-being for each of our 113,000 students.

This week, The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools will host the 6th annual State of the Schools event. As you know, the sole purpose of The Education Foundation is to raise funds for schools and the students we serve. What you may not know is that 100% of funds raised by The Education Foundation goes to students through scholarships, grants, and initiatives that align and supplement instruction. The State of the Schools is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the countless talents of our students, to share what we have accomplished, and to highlight what is to come in our results-driven school system.