This is important information for families with students in grades 3-12. 

For over 20 years, Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) has administered Wellness Needs Assessments. The assessment results determine how HCPS staff can provide more direct and specific support to our students. We hope you will encourage your child to share their true thoughts and feelings as we look to provide as supportive and nurturing a school environment as possible for all students. 

Students do not have to participate in the Wellness Needs Assessment and can let their teacher know at the time of the assessment if they do not want to participate. You may also send an email to your student’s school counselor to make them aware if you do not want your child to participate in the Wellness Needs Assessment. A copy of the Wellness Needs Assessment can be viewed here. 

The window of administration of the assessment is October 14 through November 15, 2024. If you do not wish your child to participate, please tell your child’s school counselor by October 13, 2024, or have them inform their teacher at the time of the assessment. 

The following message was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. via email, text message and app push alert: 

This is an important calendar reminder. 

HCPS will close three hours early on Friday, September 27, 2024. Please note, half-day PreK will NOT meet on early dismissal dates.  

Calendar information for the entire 2023-2024 school year can be found on hcps.org. 

The following message was sent to all parents of students in grades 8-12 on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via email and text message.

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Harford Community College is hosting a College and Career Fair at APGFCU Arena.  

This is an opportunity for you and your student to explore options after high school graduation. Representatives from dozens of colleges, industries, and military organizations will be there to tell you about their organizations and answer any questions. 

For more information, click here. 

1. Global Studies Program/International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Edgewood High School 

2. Harford Technical High School 

3. Information Technology Oracle Academy, Havre de Grace High School 

4. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), Joppatowne High School 

5. Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), Joppatowne High School 

6. Natural Resources and Agricultural Science Magnet Program (NRAS), North Harford High School 

7. Science and Mathematics Academy (SMA), Aberdeen High School 

8. Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM), Edgewood High and North Harford High Schools 

Your student will take part in an amazing opportunity at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center. The Fifth Grade Residential Outdoor Education Program is an overnight program and part of your student’s Environmental Stewardship unit. The hands-on learning opportunities at Harford Glen cannot be replicated in the classroom. 

Staff at Harford Glen will host eight Open Houses for you to bring your student, learn about the program and visit the facility. 

Each Open House is approximately 30 minutes and self-guided, allowing you to explore the grounds and facilities on your own. Harford Glen staff will be on hand to answer any questions. 

Open House dates: 
- Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  
- Friday, September 27, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. 
- Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. 
- Friday, November 1, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 
- Monday, December 21, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Friday, March 21, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. 

If Harford County Public Schools closes schools on any of the above dates, the Open House that day will be canceled. 

For more information about the Harford Glen programs, click here. 

In March, the Board of Education of Harford County, updated the “Portable Communication Device” Board policy. The policy is also in the Parent/Student Handbook that you receive and acknowledge at the beginning of each school year. A FAQ has also been created to help parents and guardians understand the updated policy. Tune in to the latest Real Talk on the policy changes with Mary Beth Stapleton, Manager of Family and Community Partnerships, and Mike O’Brien, Executive Director of Secondary School Instruction and Performance. 

Please note, the policy applies to Portable Communication Devices, Personal Listening Devices, and Wearable Communication Devices. Definitions for each are included in the full policy.  

In Elementary School: 

• Students may bring Portable Communication Devices to School; 

• The device must remain in the student’s backpack and deactivated, unless authorized to do so due to their IEP, 504 Plan, or Nursing Plan. 

• Students may use their Portable Communication Device before and after school and on the bus. 

In Middle School: 

• Students may bring Portable Communication Devices to School; 

• The device must remain stored in their locker and deactivated during the entire school day. 

• Students may use their device before and after school and on the bus. 

In High School: 

• Students may bring Portable Communication Devices to School; 

• The device must not be visible and must remain deactivated during instructional time. 

• Students may use their device before and after school, on the bus, and during lunch. 

*Students in both middle and high school may wear a portable communication device, or smartwatch, but it must be deactivated. In elementary school, wearable devices are only to be worn before and after school, unless specified in an IEP, 504 plan, or Nursing plan. 

This policy was updated by the Board and reflects the concept, “Smart Students, not Smart Devices!” Following the Board’s decision, HCPS staff identified and reviewed resources that note, “it has been proven that students who are on PCD’s, PLD’s, or WCD’s when it is not part of the instructional lesson are not fully engaged in learning,” a concept from Jonathan Haidt’s book, titled, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.”  

Harford County Public Schools is asking for parent and guardian support as we navigate the changes in the policy. Please ensure your student is prepared and aware of the changes. 

Those interested in reviewing HCPS presentations, public comments, and Board discussions on the policy changes, may do so in the Board meeting archives on hcps.org. Meetings were held on January 22, 2024, and March 18, 2024.  

During the 2024-2025 school year, your student will have the opportunity to experience the Fifth Grade Residential Outdoor Education Program at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center. 

Please save the date to visit and explore Harford Glen prior to your student’s experience. The Open Houses allow you to learn about the program and the property prior to your student participating in the program. 

Open House dates: 
- Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.  
- Friday, September 27, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. 
- Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. 
- Friday, November 1, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 
- Monday, December 21, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Tuesday, January 21, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Friday, March 21, 2025, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.