In an effort to make sure the kids are alright, Baltimore City Public Schools on Wednesday reminded students, parents, and employees to read and abide by the Civil Discourse Standards.After a tumultuous election cycle in which Republican Donald Trump has won the presidency and Republicans have won control of the Senate (and likely the House of Representatives), Baltimore City schools are attempting to insulate its students and families from residual anger and resentment that might carry over into the classrooms and hallways. While Maryland is sending a Black Democratic woman to the Senate for the first time in Angela Alsobrooks, and Mayor Brandon Scott sailed to a second term for the first time a mayor has won reelection in decades, Democrats and Republicans still face one another across what seems like an impossible chasm.A press release from the school system began by reiterating commitment to modeling and supporting appropriate civil discourse for their students and community.The statement goes on to urge school community members to honor the right to free speech and open expression in a way that nurtures respect, empathy, and critical thinking, regardless of the passion with which one holds their beliefs and ideas. They also, however, prioritize protecting the rights of others, noting that “[h]ate speech, discrimination, personal attacks, or other forms of harassment or dehumanizing behavior will not be tolerated.”The full press release is linked to here, and re-published below.Reminder: Civil Discourse Standards in City Schools City Schools November 6, 2024 REMINDER: City Schools is fully committed to modeling and supporting appropriate civil discourse for our students and community. We encourage you to review our message about civil discourse standards, including guidelines for the civility and respect of all in our schools. As we continue to navigate the complex events occurring in our ever-evolving world, Baltimore City Public Schools is committed to ensuring all students, staff, and families feel welcome, seen, and heard. This standard includes honoring the right to free speech and open expression. By establishing these environments, we can encourage meaningful conversations about important issues that nurture respect, empathy, and critical thinking. As adults, we are responsible for modeling and supporting appropriate civil discourse. We respect the right of individuals to hold passionate positions on community issues. At the heart of this work lies the essential task of creating safe spaces where all students feel empowered to share their thoughts and engage with differing perspectives. This rich exchange of ideas broadens perspectives and cultivates a sense of belonging and community within our schools. At the same time, it is essential to protect the rights of others. Employees and students may not engage in speech and activities that infringe on the rights of others. Hate speech, discrimination, personal attacks, or other forms of harassment or dehumanizing behavior will not be tolerated. Our nondiscrimination policy states that employees and students may not engage in speech and activities that infringe on the rights of others. Our guidelines for staff participation in political activities (Policy GBI) and the prohibition against harassment (Policy JICK) reinforce those rules. We also encourage you to read our annual Family Guide and Employee Handbook, both of which set guidelines for the civility and respect of all in our halls. We aim to ensure that students, staff, and families are informed and engaged in this critical work. The offices of Academics and Equity will share a series of resources with our educators designed to strengthen our collective efforts. These materials will provide guidance on best practices for facilitating discussions, strategies for creating inclusive environments, and tools for integrating these principles into our curricula. We want our students to learn about the world and become active citizens. Their voices and values matter, and they deserve to be heard. It is important to remember that we must respect and honor the rights of others.