On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners recognized St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ Focus On Cyber Use and Safety Initiative by declaring October as Cyber Safety Month in St. Mary’s County.

The BOCC highlighted the joint effort by the county's sheriff, library and public school to increase online safety. Dr. Martirano said, "Our children are suffering in silence." He warned parents to not put computers in kids' bedrooms and to monitor online activity. The superintendent said the group has taken a "very aggressive stance" against the negative impacts of online violence.

As part of Cyber Safety Month, the County Commissioners, the St. Mary’s County Public Library System, and St. Mary’s County Public Schools will host three community forums to provide community-based education on cyber safety and to reinforce the importance of F.O.C.U.S. These forums, which are free and open to the public, will take place on:

• October 8, 2009, 6:30 p.m., at the Charlotte Hall Branch of the St. Mary’s County Public Library, 37600 New Market Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622, (301) 884-2211;
• October 14, 2009, 6:30 p.m., at the Leonardtown Branch of the St. Mary’s County Public Library, 23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650, (301) 475-2846; and
  
• October 21, 2009, 6:30 p.m., at the Lexington Park Branch of the St. Mary’s County Public Library, 21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park, MD 20653, (301) 863-8188.
  

For more details, contact Mr. F. Michael Wyant, St. Mary County Public Schools’ supervisor of safety and security, by phone at (301) 475-4256, ext. 188, or by email at fmwyant@smcps.org.