Latest news with #HowardCountyPublicSchoolSystem
CBS News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Howard County Public Schools want input on cellphone ban policy
Howard County's school district is asking for input in a survey on its policy that restricts cellphone use for all students. The survey comes as students, mostly from high schools, have been vocal against the policy. High school students had the most cellphone access before the new policy was enacted. The survey is open until April 16. Howard County Board of Education Policy 8080 went into effect on March 3. It requires that all cellphones and other personal technology devices be out of sight and silenced during the school day. There are exceptions to the policy. Smart watches may be worn, but can only be used to check the time. Personal device use may also be used in emergencies and if allowed in something like a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). A device is confiscated until the end of the school day after the first offense. If a student is caught with a device anytime after, it will be confiscated until their parent or guardian can pick it up. The Howard County Public School System's (HCPSS) survey asks questions about the policy's impact and whether it accomplishes its intended purpose. The goal for this policy change was to reduce distractions and improve the social environment in schools. HCPSS is encouraging all students, their families, and staff to fill it out. You can find the survey here . Before the policy went into effect, several students spoke out against it at Howard County Board of Education meetings. Some students were worried about potential obstacles the policy would create. "Students cannot handle their devices to coordinate transportation, contact handle any sort of personal responsibilities they may have," said Neil Shandilya, a student at Howard High School. There were also some concerns about how the policy would be enforced. "At my school, a small number of busy administrators will be responsible for monitoring a student body of over 1,400 individuals," said Oakland Mills High School student Rosemary Kamalu. "Expecting a total of five staff members to regulate and confiscate devices on such a large scale is both impractical and unsustainable." There have also been several student walkouts over the policy before and after implementation, the most recent one happening on March 12. While students have vocally been against the policy, the Howard County Education Association -- the educators' union in the county -- said it's only heard good things about it from its members.
CBS News
10-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
What you should know about Maryland's positive measles case
BALTIMORE -- Health leaders around the Baltimore region are advising residents to keep their guard up after a measles case was confirmed in Howard County. The Maryland Department of Health hasn't released any identifying information about the patient. In a note to families Monday, the Howard County Public School System said it hasn't heard if the patient is a student or staff member. Dr. Theresa Nguyen, chair of pediatrics at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, said parents don't need to panic, but they should vaccinate their children against measles if they haven't already. Who's most vulnerable? Since the news broke Sunday, parents have especially been worried about the impact of a positive measles case in the state. "I do know some families who do not have their kids vaccinated and it does worry me a little bit," Columbia resident Nicole Bennett. "We want our kids to be happy and healthy." Infants are among the most vulnerable since the first dose of a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine -- or MMR vaccine -- typically isn't administered to children until they are 1 year old. The second dose is given when children are older. A child who is at least 6-months-old traveling internationally can get an MMR vaccine dose early, however, Nguyen said that child should still get another dose when they turn 1-year-old. One of the key symptoms, according to Nguyen, is a rash starting from the head and spreading to the rest of the body. Other symptoms include high fever, coughing, redness of the eyes, and a runny nose. Symptoms can show up to 14 days after exposure. Measles can lead to pneumonia, even encephalitis, which is a brain infection that can turn deadly. "The virus lives in the air for two hours after the person passes through and 95% of people who are exposed who are unvaccinated will get the disease," Nguyen said. Pregnant people and those who are immunocompromised are also at-risk of contracting measles. Maryland's positive case The infected patient recently traveled internationally, according to MDH. Aside from being a Howard County resident, no other information has been publicly reported about the patient. MDH also said the patient was in the international arrivals area of Washington Dulles International Airport on March 5 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. The patient also was in the Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department on March 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
