Harford County Public Schools

The 2025-2026 Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Color-Coded Calendar is available online.

You can view all available calendar information here.

The following communication was sent to all parents and guardians of students in grades 4-7 on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, text message, and app push alert.

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, the Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) Career and Technology Education (CTE) Office will host an informational event for students and families about the programs of study within comprehensive high schools, as well as HCPS Signature and Magnet programs. The event, designed for students in grades 4-7, will be at Patterson Mill Middle/High School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will run from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Students and families will circulate this fair-style event to speak with representatives from each of the ten MSDE-recognized Career Clusters including Maryland Youth Apprenticeship and Harford Youth Workforce Investment. Current students and teachers will be available to engage students in demonstrations, showcasing how CTE innovatively prepares students for opportunities beyond high school.

The following Maryland State Department of Education recognized programs of study will be represented: Arts, Media and Communications; Business Management, Finance and Entrepreneurship; Health and Human Services; Natural Resources and Agricultural Science; and Science, Engineering and Technology.

For more information about the event, and the programs offered within Harford County Public Schools, visit the CTE webpage 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 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 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 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 1/9/2025

CTE Family Informational Night