Harford County Public Schools

The following message is being sent to all contacts at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2025 via phone and email:

Good evening. This is Jillian Lader, Manager of Communications for Harford County Public Schools, calling with an important announcement. There is a social media trend encouraging students to put objects like paperclips, or lead from pencils into the USB ports of their school device. This action can cause toxic chemical release if the battery is compromised, explosions, and more. Please speak with your child about the severity of these actions. There is a serious potential for physical harm to themselves and classmates. In addition, please discuss the disruption to the instructional day, financial cost for repair as the intentional damage will void any pre-paid device coverage, and the fact that disciplinary action will be taken. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and partnership to ensure our students do not participate in this dangerous social media challenge.

The following message was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. via email:

This morning, Harford County Public Schools was made aware of multiple indirect, emailed bomb threats targeting schools within our district. These messages appear to be part of a larger pattern of similar threats that have been reported in school systems in multiple jurisdictions.

We are in close communication with the Maryland Center for School Safety, and our local law enforcement partners. Based on law enforcement guidance and assessment, these threats are not considered credible at this time.

As of today, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, several HCPS schools received threats, including Havre de Grace Middle/High School, Patterson Mill Middle/High School, Joppatowne High School, and Harford Technical High School.

Havre de Grace Middle/High School received the first threat, and out of an abundance of caution and under advisement from the Havre de Grace Police Department, the school was evacuated for a time to allow police to investigate. That evacuation occurred prior to Harford County Public Schools being informed by the Maryland Center for School Safety that these threats were part of a coordinated, widespread incident impacting schools across Maryland. Threats to other schools occurred after this information was shared with Harford County Public Schools and they remained in session while law enforcement completed precautionary assessments.

School Resource Officers, School Safety Liaisons, and building staff remain vigilant. Walkthroughs and monitoring are ongoing to ensure student and staff safety, and all impacted schools have continued operations without interruption.

We want to thank our students, families, and staff for their cooperation and understanding, and we extend our sincere appreciation to all our law enforcement partners for their swift support and ongoing collaboration.

Safety is our top priority in Harford County Public Schools. We are grateful to our families for their continued support and partnership in maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. via email, text message and push alert:

The Board of Education of Harford County is seeking applicants for membership on several Citizen Advisory Committees. Membership is open to all Harford County residents, including those who do not have a student in the school system.
Each committee meets regularly or as needed and makes recommendations to a staff coordinator who serves as a designee to the Superintendent of Schools. New members are confirmed to the respective committee during a summer Board of Education business meeting and will serve a one-, two-, or three-year term. Regular attendance is important to maintain the effectiveness of each committee. Any member who misses fifty percent or more of scheduled meetings in a twelve-month period may be considered for removal.
The committees include Career and Technical Education (CTE), Family Life Education, and Gifted Education. The Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee is open to any parent or community member interested in supporting the needs of students with disabilities—no formal application is required. The Parent Advisory, Advocacy, and Action Council (PAAAC) does not have current openings and is not accepting applications at this time.
Interested parties should complete an application available on the Board of Education webpage at www.hcps.org. Information requested includes the name of the committee you are applying for, your contact information, and background details such as community involvement, occupation, education, and your reasons for wanting to serve.
The deadline to apply is May 23, 2025.

The following message was sent to all HCPS employees on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email and text message:

Open Enrollment for the 2025-2026 plan year will begin Thursday, May 1, 2025, and will close on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

All benefits-eligible employees who are interested in adjusting their benefits must do so before the deadline. If you are planning to keep your current benefits plan, no action is required. However, employees who plan to contribute to a flexible spending account, even if they were enrolled in one for the 2024-2025 plan year, must complete an active enrollment before May 20, 2025.

New for the 2025-2026 plan year:

Medical and dental premiums will increase. Please review your options carefully in Benelogic to understand how this may impact you.

Pet insurance is now available. Beginning July 1, 2025, HCPS employees and retirees may enroll in MetLife Pet Insurance. This voluntary, 100% employee-paid benefit offers customizable plans, with up to 90% reimbursement for eligible expenses, and access to 24/7 live vet chat. For details or to get a quote, visit metlife.com/getpetquote.

For more information about HCPS benefits offerings, please review the Benefits Reference Guide, available on Benelogic, SharePoint, and the HCPS website, to ensure you take full advantage of the programs available to you.

If you have any questions, please contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcps.org.

The following message was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email and text message:

On May 16, 2025, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., you’re invited to Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium for the fourth annual Your Mind Matters: A Family Wellness Night. The event, hosted by Harford County Public Schools, the Office on Mental Health/Core Service Agency of Harford County, Inc., University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, and the Harford County Health Department, is a FREE family event with fun activities for everyone!

Some of the activities include a petting zoo, crafts, axe throwing, a bounce house, rock climbing wall, a photo booth, family resource vendors, and so much more.

Free transportation is being offered to and from Ripken Stadium from select depots throughout Harford County. A schedule is attached to this email.

The event will be held rain or shine. Registration is required and can be completed by visiting www.harfordmentalhealth.org. In past years, the event has reached capacity, so we encourage you to register early to reserve your spot.

Per the 2024-2025 HCPS School Calendar, the last day of school was originally scheduled for June 12, 2025. With 5 inclement weather day closures this year, HCPS was scheduled to make up those days on June 13, 16, 17, 18 and 20, making June 20, 2025, the last day of school for students. Given the scheduled closure June 19, HCPS submitted a one-day waiver request of the 180-day calendar requirement to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to allow HCPS to end school on Wednesday, June 18.

At the April 29 MSDE Board meeting, with the state superintendent’s endorsement, the state board approved our waiver request.

HCPS last day of school for students will be Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The last professional development day for staff is Friday, June 20, 2025.
*Joppatowne High School’s last day for students will be an early dismissal on Friday, June 20, due to an additional closure earlier this school year.

More calendar information for this and next school year, is available here. PLEASE NOTE: if any additional closures are required prior to the last day of school, additional adjustments will be made to the calendar.

The following message was sent to all contacts on Thursday, April 24, 2025, via phone call, email, text message and app push alert

Thank you to all who have attended recent Harford County Public Schools events and cooperated with our updated safety procedures. As we continue working to enhance the safety of students, staff, and visitors, we are sharing important reminders about two key safety measures in place at HCPS events:

- Bag Policy at Middle and High School Events
Since September 17, 2024, all spectators attending athletic or other large events on middle and high school campuses have been required to follow the HCPS clear bag policy.
Approved bags include:

One clear tote bag (no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”, with a logo not exceeding 4.5” tall by 3.4” wide)

Resealable clear plastic bags (up to one gallon)

Small clutch bags (non-clear, no larger than 4.5” x 8.5”)

Medically necessary and diaper bags (subject to search; infant must be present)

Seat cushions and blankets (must be carried, not placed in a bag)

All other bags will be denied at entry. For full details and visual examples, visit the HCPS Athletics page or see the attached PDF.

- Weapons Detection System Use at Events
This school year, Harford County Public Schools began using OpenGate weapons detection systems at select events. These systems are used during HCPS-sponsored events and are not currently part of everyday school entry procedures.

All event attendees, students, staff, and visitors of all ages must go through the detection system when it is in use. Please follow staff instructions as we work together to ensure a safe experience for everyone.

Click here to view a video to learn more about the OpenGate system.

We appreciate your continued partnership in keeping HCPS events safe and welcoming for our entire community.

The following communication was sent to all contacts Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email and phone call:

Harford County Public Schools will begin utilizing Open Gate weapons detection systems in our schools over the next several weeks. They will primarily be seen and used at high schools and can also be moved to middle and elementary schools, as needed.

Click here to watch a video explaining the Open Gate Weapons Detection System.

Please note that when the system is set up and in use, visitors of any age, staff, and students, will need to go through the system. Please be prepared to follow staff instructions as we all work to ensure the safety of our schools.

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call and text message:

As we work to develop a sustainable and responsible budget for the upcoming fiscal year, adjustments are being made to align resources with available funding. As such, Harford County Public Schools can NOT offer summer school sessions for 2025. This cancelation includes Elementary and Middle summer school sessions, as well as the High School credit recovery summer program.

This does NOT impact Extended School Year (ESY) for students receiving special education services per their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). This program is federally mandated and will continue as planned.

For more information about the FY26 budget, click here.

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. via email:

In March 2024, the Board of Education of Harford County updated the Cell Phone Policy for Harford County Public Schools, in order to better support student success by minimizing distraction. You can view this policy here.

The policy is in place and being enforced at all schools.

We appreciate the support of our entire Harford County Public Schools community in reinforcing these expectations. Please take a moment to watch this short video explaining why this policy is so important.

Thank you for helping us create and foster a focused and productive learning environment!

The following message is being sent via email and phone to all Joppatowne High School community members on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.:

This is an important calendar update for students, families, and staff at Joppatowne High School.

On December 19, 2024, Joppatowne High School was closed to allow students and staff to attend services for Ms. Niesha Jones, our beloved Community Schools Specialist. HCPS is required to submit a waiver request to MSDE for any unscheduled closure of a single school. The State Superintendent then determines whether to waive the 180-day student instruction requirement. Their decision dictates whether HCPS must make up the missed instructional time.

The request to waive the day from the 180-day requirement was denied. To comply with Maryland law, Joppatowne High School will now be open for instruction one day after the last scheduled day of school for students attending other HCPS schools. Please note that this additional instructional day, for JOHS students ONLY, will follow a three-hour early dismissal schedule.

Key Dates (as of Friday, February 28, 2025):
• Last day of school for all HCPS students: Friday, June 20, 2025
• Additional instructional day for JOHS students: Monday, June 23, 2025 (three-hour early dismissal)
• JOHS staff: Will remain for the remainder of the previously scheduled professional development day

Please note: If additional systemwide closures occur due to inclement weather, these dates will be adjusted accordingly.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we ensure Joppatowne High School meets the state calendar requirements.

The following communication was sent Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to select parents and guardians via phone call, email, and text message:

Parents and guardians of students receiving special education and related services are asked to complete the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services. Surveys were mailed by MSDE no later than February 14, 2025, and should be in your mailbox soon if you have not already received it. Please return your completed survey in the provided envelope by May 30, 2025. If you did not receive a copy of the survey in the mail from MSDE, you can complete the survey online at https://www.mdparentsurvey.com. Additional information is in your survey packet and on the website.

Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in Harford County Public Schools. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other students across the State of Maryland.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, text message, and push alert.

Harford County Public Schools kindergarten registration, and applications for kindergarten early entrance, and advanced placement to first grade for the 2025-2026 school year, will be available Friday, March 7, 2025.

Kindergarten registration can be completed online on March 7, 2025.

Applications for early entrance to kindergarten will be available to print online and submit a hard copy. To submit your application, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application.

Applications for advanced placement to first grade will be available to print online and submit a hard copy. To submit your application, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application.

*Printed applications will be available at each elementary school on March 7, 2025.*

Note: Prekindergarten applications will be available later this spring. Details will be released as soon as possible.

Due to state law, prekindergarten and kindergarten instruction are not permitted to be virtual. This means prekindergarten and kindergarten registration is not available at Swan Creek School.

Please share this information in your community as we try to ensure families who may not be connected to HCPS are aware that these important applications and registrations will be available March 7, 2025.

Additional registration information is available here.

The following message was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email, text message and push alert.

Harford County Public Schools kindergarten registration, and applications for kindergarten early entrance, and advanced placement to first grade for the 2025-2026 school year, will be available Friday, March 7, 2025.

Kindergarten registration can be completed online on March 7, 2025.

Applications for early entrance to kindergarten will be available to print online and submit a hard copy. To submit your application, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application.

Applications for advanced placement to first grade will be available to print online and submit a hard copy. To submit your application, follow the directions on the cover sheet of the printed application.

*Printed applications will be available at each elementary school on March 7, 2025.*
Note: Prekindergarten applications will be available later this spring. Details will be released as soon as possible.
Due to state law, prekindergarten and kindergarten instruction are not permitted to be virtual. This means prekindergarten and kindergarten registration is not available at Swan Creek School.
Please share this information in your community as we try to ensure families who may not be connected to HCPS are aware that these important applications and registrations will be available March 7, 2025.
Additional registration information is available here.

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

You can view all available calendar information here.

News Alert for 5/8/2025

Important Message from HCPS: Dangerous Social Media Challenge