Angela Alsobrooks is the new Maryland senate elected by voters in Maryland. She beat former MD Governer Larry Hogan on November 5th. Her campaign was centered around human rights, gun control, and education which are all important issues to growing urban areas in Maryland. This is also really important to PGCPS and in particular ERHS, over a couple of years Eleanor Roosevelt high school has taken measures to ensure the safety and education of students. Clear backpacks have become a policy along with advanced measures of security being taken as students enter the building.
Gun safety in Maryland, especially school shootings, have raised concern over the safety of students in school. Prior to this school year Prince George’s Public Schools established Angela Alsobrooks has also made it a priority to ensure safety in schools. As days go by parents worry for their children’s safety as threats and shootings happen consistently. As the county executive Alsobrooks dropped violent crime rates by 50%. As our Senator Alsobrooks wants to stop gun violence but also get weapons off our streets. ERHS staff and students have taken the step to ensure the safety of the building. With Metal detectors and clear backpacks it is clear Prince George’s County is not going to be tolerating gun violence in the future. With the ultimate goal to ensure student safety, The Raider Review asked ERHS students what changes they wanted to see.
The safety of the school is one of the biggest issues in student production and attendance. If the school doesn’t feel safe students can choose not to attend class or not complete any schoolwork assigned to them. Freshman Howell Okafor stressed the importance of “making sure there is open communication amongst the students and staff”. This can resolve many issues and also make sure that students will have no issue adapting to future changes. Howell had to add the school has done a good job with student safety, he thinks “having continued drills and monitoring the building” can ensure safety in the long term. On the other hand, Freshman Victor Akowe has felt as if “The school can deal with safety issues better”. This could be taken into account as the school has its fair share of safety concerns occasionally. Junior Asher Penley said he would like to see “strict rules in case of a fire or lockdown”. Associated with the school having frequent drills the teachers also being educated can help prevent any issues. For any future reference, regular drills should keep taking place and we should be educated on what steps students should take. Following safety of the school should help students be more focused on the lessons being taught by teachers.
Alsobrooks is putting her focus on our education and for PGCPS she has made it a priority to give teachers livable wages and funding schools. Former PG county executive Alsobrooks funded one of the largest increases of salary for staff in PGCPS, giving reason for teachers to take pride in their job. This February Alsobrooks fought for more funding in PG county schools, investing 62% of the entirety of the budget she was given to schools in Prince George’s County. As she moves into the senate there will be a likely influx of cash being distributed among schools in maryland. Another one of her focuses in changing school systems is making programs more accessible. She has invested $15M to establish CTE (Career and Tech Education) making it clear that every student should have a chance to be in a program. She has made it clear that children shouldnt be given unequal education based on their address or zip code.
Equal education should be normal in every school, with more and more programs being funded everyone should have the same opportunity to be enrolled in a program. With additions of CTE and the already established Science and Technology most students have those opportunities. “I have access to many different classes which is important” said Asher, He added “We have options in the classes we take which helps our future”. For the freshman it’s a step up in difficulty as Victor said his classes are “harder than middle school”. Howell said he has received help by “supportive teachers and lessons that are interactive. I learn something new every day”. Some of the problems that come with equal education are problems with discrimination.
Student equality has been another growing issue in schools and bullying people over there race, gender, and religion is still going on. Alsobrooks ensures that discrimination wont take place in maryland schools which has been displayed in ERHS. Prince George’s County public schools have done a good job at keeping equality in schools. Offering good opportunities for students interested in different career paths and punishing any form of discrimination. Alsobrooks supported the first ever LGBTQ+ Liaison, this helped connect LGBTQ+ communities with other people in the same community. Women rights was the main drive for angela alsobrooks campaign, Alsobrooks wants to provide maryland women with abortion care and rights. As teenagers moving into later stages in life this decision could impact many students of ERHS. This decision turned out to be a huge boost for Senator Alsobrooks as she gained most of her votes from cities in maryland particularly baltimore.
Equality has not been a present issue in ERHS, in terms of fairness no one in the school is viewed differently based on their background or identification. “Everyone in the school is respected,” said Howell. Many different opportunities to be a part of a group are displayed through clubs and classes. Howell also mentioned “Programs and clubs allow all students to feel inclusive and represented”. When it comes down to student communication with other students sometimes there tends to be issues in discrimination or slight bullying. Victor said when it comes to students talking to others “people don’t take it seriously” other than that “I dont think it’s a major issue”. This school has represented equality well. Asher stated attempts are being made for “teachers and students to treat each other equal”. When it comes down to it, inequality doesn’t make any huge appearances in ERHS. Outside of the school, students can face issues with being represented and feeling connected to others and their community.
Issues taking place in Maryland haven’t made any appearances in ERHS. Senator Alsobrooks has made attempts to better communities by providing good education, gun safety, and equality in Prince George’s County. Improvements should take place as issues can rise in the future but it’s about how communities can handle issues. ERHS and Greenbelt have done a good job responding to the issues they face. In the end we have a good community and can hope to receive benefits as Alsobrooks takes the Senate position.
