HCPSS just released guidelines regarding Animals on School Property.  Our RHHS campus is a large school campus in Howard County and provides easy access for our community to pass through to the elementary school and to use the Columbia walking paths.  Please encourage your friends and family to avoid bringing their animals on school property.  This helps keep our fields safe and clean for our athletes and our students who may be outside for class activities.  For any questions, we can provide reference to the HCPSS Circular 21.  Circular 21 introduces the information shared below:

Animals in schools or offices, leashed or not, present safety, environmental, and liability issues. Students and staff may be exposed to potential physical hazards, such as bites, and/or allergy related health problems. As a result, animals are prohibited within HCPSS buildings. Animals are also prohibited on school system property during arrival, dismissal, recess or other HCPSS sponsored outdoor activities. Service animals or service animals in training per MD Annotated Code Section 7-705 (Service Animals) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as animals approved for instructional purposes are exempt from this prohibition.