Photo by Travis Pratt Marianne Kobylenski, a retired sergeant with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, speaks at Urbana Elementary School to security team members on a recent Thursday afternoon in Urbana. Purchase this photo

Twelve hours later, she returned to school. She went straight to the head of the class.

As program administrator of a federal grant awarded to Frederick County Public Schools, Kobylenski teaches educators how to keep students and staff safe during crises.

The 18-month grant is intended to help schools develop, plan and practice emergency preparedness.

In discussions at each of the county's schools, Kobylenski leads teams through potential scenarios, instructing them how to respond.

"We want to keep everyone on the same page so that all schools react the same way to emergencies," Kobylenski said.

"The best thing for you to do is practice what you've been trained to do," she said. "You react to what you are taught."

Last week, Kobylenski met with a group at Urbana Elementary School. Steve Cooper, a Frederick County emergency preparedness planner, accompanied her to the meeting with Principal Jan Hollenbeck, selected teachers and office staff.

In one scenario, an intruder ran into the school as he was being chased by a gunman. In another, students became sickened by fumes from a nearby hazardous materials spill.

Nationwide, communities have experienced threats inside and outside schools, Kobylenski said, citing the Columbine shootings, Sept. 11 and the Beltway snipers as examples.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded 94 school systems in 34 states Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools grants.

Frederick County Public Schools is the only school system in Maryland to receive a REMS grant.

At each school, Kobylenski asks staff if they have identified a command post. Because of differing layouts, not all schools would opt to use the main office.

In the scenario involving the intruder, she asked the group, "What would you do?"

"Get on the intercom. Announce a lockdown," one woman said.

"Call 911," came out next.

Staff should try to keep a phone line open with dispatchers on the 911 line, Kobylenski said.

Preparedness is paramount; practice is key.

Starting a new career with the school system was a natural fit for Kobylenski.

Her final assignment with the sheriff's office was as the sergeant assigned to oversee the School Resource Officer Unit.

Before joining the sheriff's office in January 1988, Kobylenski worked for police agencies in Ocean City and Rockville.

Her law enforcement experience in Frederick included stints as a patrol deputy, a detective and a hostage negotiator.

At home, her key role is being mom to her two sons, ages 19 and 16. Remarried four years ago, she and her husband share a blended family of five children with homes in Frederick and Carroll counties.

"Really nothing has changed since I retired from the sheriff's office," Kobylenski, 50, said with a laugh.

"I work eight hours, then go home and get to the cleaning and cooking."