Harford County Public Schools

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Thursday, December 19, 2024, via email:

This message is being shared with you on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). MSDE is seeking applicants for the 2024-2025 Maryland Advisory Councils. Councils include the Principal Advisory Council, Teacher Advisory Council, and Family Advisory Council.

These councils provide direct input to the State Superintendent on issues that impact Maryland public schools. This is an opportunity for principals, teachers, and families to share their voices and help improve education across the state.

Applications are due December 23, 2024. For more information, or to apply, click here.

The following communicaion was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via email, text message, and app push alert:

This is an important calendar reminder.

HCPS Schools and offices will close three hours early on Friday, December 20, 2024. Please note, half-day PreK does NOT meet on early dismissal dates.

Schools and offices are closed Monday, December 23, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025, for Winter Break. Schools and offices reopen Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Calendar information for the entire 2024-2025 school year can be found on hcps.org.

The following message was sent to all contacts on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email, text message, and app push alert:

For the 2024-2025 school year, there will be no virtual instruction on inclement weather days.

There are six inclement weather days built into the 2024-2025 school calendar. Per the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), those in-person makeup days would need to be used BEFORE we could utilize virtual instruction. Rather than extend the school year beyond the six built in inclement weather days, HCPS will request a waiver of the 180-day requirement from the state, if needed.

The following communication will be sent to all contacts on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email, text and app push alert.

The Maryland Accountability Report Card for the 2023-2024 school year is now available online.

Each school’s report card, compiled by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), is available at www.mdreportcard.org. There you can view the overall performance of your student’s school on state tests in the areas of mathematics, English/language arts and science.

Also included in the Maryland Accountability Report Card are non-academic measures such as climate survey data for students and educators and overall attendance information.

Further information about the measures is available on www.mdreportcard.org under the “Help Guides” section.

The following communication will go out to all contacts on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email, text message and app push alert:

The window is now open to nominate your favorite Harford County Public Schools Employee from this year, or years past, for the 2025 Celebration of Excellence in Education (CEE)!

Once again, this year we will celebrate all aspects of education in Harford County Public Schools, in addition to the Teacher of the Year! At the 2025 CEE we will honor a principal, assistant principal, custodian, Facilities employee, Food Services staff member, support professional and Technology employee.

Visit hcps.org and click on “learn more” in the banner on the main page to share a few sentences on why you are nominating your favorite HCPS staff member!

Local businesses and community members continue to play an integral part in showing our appreciation for our educators. We look forward to celebrating with everyone again this year! If you or your business would like to support the program this year, please reach out to joyce.jablecki@hcps.org for more information.

Nominations are due by January 3, 2025. Don't delay- submit your nomination here as soon as possible.

The following communication went out to identified families who do not have a Device Protection Plan on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email, and text message

All Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) students are assigned an iPad, Chromebook, or Dell laptop to use for the 2024-2025 school year. Your student’s device came with a copy of the Student Device Agreement and Protection Plan. As noted in this agreement, in accordance with Board of Education of Harford County policy, “Use of Equipment/Materials by Students,” the parent or guardian will be responsible for all damage or loss to an HCPS owned device, whether in or out of school.

HCPS is offering the option to purchase a device protection plan. Please log into your School Cash Online account for each student to find this item available for purchase. *If you have already purchased the protection plan, you may DISREGARD this message. The item will no longer be available for purchase in your account.*

This option is available to purchase at a discount for $20 through October 31, 2024, or for $50.00 if purchased November 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025.

*Cost without the device protection plan: Repair - $150 An invoice will be sent to the email on file from StudentDevices@hcps.org.

If you apply and are approved for free and reduced meals, you will automatically receive the device protection plan. The application can be found here.

The fee for the protection plan is per student for the entire school year and is non-refundable. This plan will cover the cost of two incidents of accidental damage to the device, if submitted for repair with the service tag visible. The plan will not cover any intentional damage.

Replacement costs for a device beyond repair, lost, or stolen are:

Charger - $36

Chromebook/laptop - $300

Dell Precision laptop - $1,400

Apple iPad - $399

Please note: Lost or stolen items ARE NOT covered by the device protection plan.

We encourage you to review and consider the optional device protection plan by the due dates.
Click here to view a short video about OPTIONAL PURCHASES FOR FAMILIES.
Any questions can be directed to studentdevices@hcps.org.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

News Alert for 12/19/2024

MSDE Advisory Councils