Wellness Needs Assessment
The following message was sent to all parents of students in grades 3-12 on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call and text message.
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.
9/25/2024 5:00 PM
Schools Dismiss 3-hours Early on Friday, September 27, 2024
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.
9/25/2024 5:00 PM
HCC College and Career Fair
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.
9/24/2024 5:00 PM
2025-2026 HCPS DRAFT Calendar Survey Request
Please note, the following will be emailed to all contacts, and shared on our Facebook page at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2024:
At the Monday, September 23, 2024, Board Business Meeting, the 2025-2026 HCPS DRAFT Calendar options were presented to the Board of Education. Now, you are encouraged to complete the appropriate survey below to give your feedback. You will be asked to review the calendar presentation here, then select the calendar option you feel best supports your student(s) academically. If you have additional comments, there is an opportunity to share them at the end of the survey. The survey will be available through Friday, November 22, 2024.
Parents and Guardians: You will be asked to utilize your student ID to complete the survey here.
HCPS Staff and Students: You will be asked to complete the survey here via an HCPS device or after logging into your HCPS account.
LINK TO CALENDAR OPTIONS.
Please note: Survey results will be part of the information used when the Board meets in December and votes on a final calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.
9/24/2024 4:06 PM
Magnet and Technical Programs Open House Schedule
The following message will be sent Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. to all 8th grade parents via phone, email, and text message:
Harford County Public Schools invites you to attend Magnet and Technical Programs Open Houses. These programs are designed for you and your student to learn more about programs they may be interested in. Each open house is specific to that program and allows you and your student to tour the program and hear from staff and current students.
Dates and locations:
- October 16, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) – Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), Joppatowne High School
- October 16, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), Joppatowne High School
- October 23, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM), at the TUNE Center at Harford Community College
- October 24, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Science and Mathematics Academy (SMA), Aberdeen High School
- October 28, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Information Technology – Oracle Academy, Havre de Grace High School
- October 30, 2024 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) - Global Studies Program/International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Edgewood High School
- November 2, 2024 (8:00 – 10:00 a.m.) - Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences (NRAS), North Harford High School
- November 7, 2024 (6:30 – 8:30 p.m.) - Trade and Industrial Programs, Harford Technical High School
The window to apply for a Magnet or Technical Program is October 14, 2024, until December 5, 2024.
For more information on the Harford County Public Schools Magnet and Technical Programs, click here.
9/19/2024 5:30 PM
HCPS Page Program Applications
The following message will be sent Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. to all 12th grade parents via phone, email, and text message:
Since 1970, the Maryland Page Program provides an opportunity for high school seniors to serve alongside Maryland legislators during the annual session of the Maryland General Assembly. Each year, only 105 pages and 36 alternates are selected from across the State to represent their schools and counties in Annapolis. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a front-row seat to see government in action and to impact legislation that impacts all of Maryland!
Click Here for the Application
Click Here to Hear from Past Student Pages
Student pages serve two nonconsecutive weeks during the thirteen weeks of session. The session runs from the second week in January to early April. Each page serves one week during the first seven weeks and returns for a second week of service during the last six weeks of session.
The duties of the page revolve around the schedule of the chamber. Whenever the chamber is in session during the pages duty week, pages must be present.
Each page is paid a stipend of $55 per day worked to help defray expenses. Lodging and meals must be paid for by the page. Lodging is arranged by the Page Office for pages outside Anne Arundel County who request housing.
Students interested in being considered to serve as a Page should complete this application Form no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024.
After applying, students who are selected to advance to an in-person interview will be notified the week of October 21, 2024.In-person interviews will occur on October 28, 2024. Please ensure you are available that day, as it is the only day interviews will be offered.
9/19/2024 5:00 PM
Board of Education Engage for Education Sessions
The following message will be sent Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. to all contacts via phone, email, text, and app push notification:
The Board of Education of Harford County will hold Engage for Education listening sessions throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Like last year, these listening sessions are an opportunity to ask questions and share your thoughts on the future of education in Harford County with members of the Board of Education.
The first session is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at C. Milton Wright High School. No pre-registration is required to attend or speak.
For more information, or to provide feedback directly to the Board if you are unable to attend one of the sessions, please visit the Engage for Education page on hcps.org. You can also watch a video invitation from Board President Aaron Poynton and Vice President Melissa Hahn here.
9/18/2024 5:30 PM
Bag Requirements for HCPS Sporting Events
The following message will be sent Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. to all contacts via phone, email, text, and app push notification:
Thank you to our spectators for not bringing bags to athletic events this past weekend. This gave staff time to prepare for long-term solutions to bags in athletic events.
To enhance safety and security, moving forward, all fans attending any HCPS spectator event on high school and middle school campuses must adhere to specific bag requirements. All bags and purses that do not meet the requirements will not be permitted into stadiums and gymnasiums. Individuals will be denied entry for non-compliance.
Please see attached for details. This information is also posted on the Athletics page on hcps.org and on social media pages.
9/17/2024 5:30 PM
Magnet and Technical Programs Information Nights
The following message will be sent to all families with 8th grade students via email, phone call and text message at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024:
Harford County Public Schools invites you to attend one of our Magnet and Technical Programs Information Nights. These meetings are scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 throughout September and October. Each presentation is identical, you do not need to attend multiple events.
The dates and locations of the information nights are:
- Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Aberdeen High School
- Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at Harford Technical High School
- Monday, September 30, 2024, at Joppatowne High School
- Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Havre de Grace High School
- Monday, October 7, 2024, at North Harford High School
- Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Edgewood High School
The programs being discussed include:
- Global Studies Program/International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Edgewood High School
- Harford Technical High School
- Information Technology Oracle Academy, Havre de Grace High School
- Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), Joppatowne High School
- Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH), Joppatowne High School
- Natural Resources and Agricultural Science Magnet Program (NRAS), North Harford High School
- Science and Mathematics Academy (SMA), Aberdeen High School
- Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM), Edgewood High and North Harford High Schools
For more information on the Harford County Public Schools Magnet and Technical Programs, click here.
8/27/2024 5:00 PM
Harford Glen Open Houses
The following communication will be sent to parents of all 5th grade students on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, and text message.
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.
8/20/2024 5:00 PM
Portable Communication Device Policy
The following message will be sent to all contacts via email, phone call, text message, and app push alert at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024:
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:
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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.
In Middle School:
In High School:
*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.
8/20/2024 5:00 PM
Harford Glen Environmental Education Center Open House
The following message will be sent to families of rising 5th grade students on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. via email.
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.
6/10/2024 12:00 PM
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