Harford County Public Schools

The following message was sent to all contacts on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, text message and push alert. A version of it will also be posted on social media and school websites under the news feed section.

The window is now open to nominate your favorite Harford County Public Schools employee, from this year or years past, for the 2026 Celebration of Excellence in Education (CEE)!
As we have for the past several years, we will honor employees from throughout Harford County Public Schools who make a difference in the lives of our students.

In addition to naming the 2026 Harford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, we will honor employees from the following categories:

Assistant Principal
Custodian
Facilities
Food Services
Nurse
Psychologist
Pupil Personnel Worker
Safety and Security
School Counselor
Social Worker
Support Professional
Office of Technology

If you want to nominate someone for one of the above categories, visit hcps.org and look for the Celebration of Excellence in Education banner on the homepage. Or you can click here.
We are also accepting nominations for Bus Driver and Bus Attendant of the Year. Nominations for those positions are open until December 1, 2025. Click here to nominate your favorite Transportation employee!
If you are a local business owner or community member and are interested in helping us show our appreciation to the finalists but supporting this year’s program, please reach out to joyce.jablecki@hcps.org for more information.

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PARTICIPATION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025

Please note, all meeting attendees will be asked to go through the Open Gate weapons detection system before entering the Board room. Be prepared to follow instructions from members of the HCPS Safety and Security team as you enter the Board room.

OPEN SESSION: 5:00 PM – 5:05 PM
This meeting will be conducted virtually with no public attendance due to the brief nature of this meeting
and the logistical issues regarding allowing public attendance in advance of the 6:00 PM meeting.
*The only item the Board will consider during this open meeting is consideration of meeting in a closed session.

CLOSED SESSION: 5:05 PM – 5:55 PM

BUSINESS MEETING: 6:00 PM – ADJOURNMENT
This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid fashion and public attendance will be permitted as explained below:

DOORS WILL OPEN AT 5:55 PM AND THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 6:00 PM

The Board of Education of Harford County will hold a hybrid Business Meeting on Monday , November 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Board Room of the A.A. Roberty Building with Board Members, staff, and presenters in attendance both virtually and in-person. Seats will be available on a first-come-first served basis. The meeting will be streamed live and archived for later viewing on the HCPS Website.

Public Comment Participation Call-In and In-Person Process
Individuals or groups recognized by Harford County Public Schools (i.e. – PTAs, unions, and other school system stakeholders) wishing to speak on an agenda item or to comment on an education-related matter not on the agenda may request to do so by sending an email to publiccomment@hcps.org or calling 410-588-5347.

Call-In Registrations must be received by 12:00 PM on Monday, November 17, 2025. All fields on the registration form must be completed.

First and Last name / if speaker is a Group Representative, then please state the name of the Group
Local Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Agenda item or subject your Public Comment pertains to
Will you provide in-person or virtual Public Comment
Registration forms are limited to one (1) per person

*Failure to provide complete information as required above will void the request to provide Public Comment.

Registered virtual speakers will receive an email from HCPS with a Call-in Phone # and a Conference ID #.
Registered speakers are required to call-in and enter the conference ID# at 6:00 PM on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Important: If you are unable to take your phone off mute, you may need to dial *6.
If you are admitted from the virtual lobby to the meeting, you will be greeted by an HCPS staff member when it is time to begin your public comment. Expected hold time in the virtual lobby may vary based on number of registered speakers. The maximum wait time in the lobby is 30 minutes; should you be disconnected please call back.
"Request to Appear Before the Board" cards will be available for in-person attendees prior to the Board Meeting for sign-up and must be submitted prior to the opening of the meeting.

The Board has authorized public comment in accord with its policy Public Participation at Board Open Meetings or Public Hearings and as summarized below:

Each speaker shall be limited to no more than three (3) minutes for individuals and five (5) minutes for individuals representing groups. Speakers must state his or her name, and, if representing a group, must identify the group he or she represents. If a speaker identifies themselves as a representative of a group, then only one (1) representative from the group may provide comment for the identified group.
The Board presiding officer may reduce the amount of time allocated to each speaker if allocating 3 minutes to each speaker will impede the Board’s ability to complete scheduled business.
The Board will receive in-person public comment first and virtual public comment second. The Board expects that all comments will be submitted with the decorum and respect appropriate to the conduct of public business.
Topics such as personnel matters, pending appeals, specific student disciplinary matters or which constitute commercial solicitations are not permitted.
Disparaging comments, personal attacks, and inflammatory remarks about specific schools, personnel, any person, or group are not permitted. Speakers who engage in these comments will be reminded of the rules and the Board reserves the right to remove the speaker. In addition, public comment is an opportunity for members of the community to address the Board of Education. Please direct your comments to the Board and not to other members of the public in the audience.
All public comments submitted will be part of the records maintained by the Board office.

Speakers are reminded that public comments are considered public information and,
as such, are subject to the Maryland Public Information Act.

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

The Maryland Accountability Report Card for the 2024-2025 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. 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 as well as overall attendance information.

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

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

The Maryland Accountability Report Card for the 2024-2025 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. 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 as well as overall attendance information.

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

The following message was sent to all contacts via email, text message, and app push alert on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

You are invited to participate in one of our upcoming Superintendent's Community Budget Public Input Sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the status of the Superintendent’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and provide feedback on their priorities.

Event Details:
Thursday, November 13, 2025
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Edgewood High School

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Bel Air High School

Before the sessions, we invite you to participate in a brief, two-minute survey sharing your thoughts on key topics, questions, and priorities for the upcoming FY 2027 Budget. Your feedback will provide valuable insights for our budget planning and decision-making process.
The survey is now open and closes on November 9, 2025, at 11:45 p.m.

The following communication was sent to all contacts on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, text message, app push alert, social media and school website:

During the federal government shutdown, we want you to know that Harford County Public Schools and our community partners are here to support you.
Below are resources available to help you and your family:
Food Assistance:

Apply for Free and Reduced Meals any time. Click here to apply.
Food Pantries: Locations throughout Harford County. Click here to see a list.
Holiday Meals: Thanksgiving meals available at multiple locations. You can see the flier by clicking here.
Department of Social Services: Food pantries now available at the Bel Air and Havre de Grace offices starting November 1, 2025. More information can be found by clicking here.

Financial Assistance:

Receive temporary cash assistance from the State of Maryland. Click here for more information.
Get help paying utility bills by utilizing the Office of Home Energy Programs. Click here for more information.
Contact the Salvation Army of Havre de Grace by calling 410-939-3535 or by clicking here.

Mental Health & Social Services:

Care Solace: Free and confidential support available 24/7/365 in 200+ languages. Connect with mental health providers, food assistance, housing help, and more.

General Support:

United Way 211: Call 211 or click here to connect with local resources.
For more resources offered by the State of Maryland and available to Federal Workers click here.

These resources exist to support our community members when they need it most.

The following message was sent to select families who have not yet purchased a Device Protection Plan, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call and text:

Good evening,

All Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) students were assigned an iPad, Chromebook, or Dell laptop for the 2025–2026 school year. Your student’s device came with a Student Device Agreement and Protection Plan. As stated in the agreement, parents or guardians are responsible for any damage or loss to the school-owned device, whether it happens at school or at home.

HCPS offers an optional device protection plan to help cover accidental damage. You can purchase it in your School Cash Online account. If you have already purchased the plan, the option to purchase a plan will no longer appear in your School Cash Online account.

Important Information:

Cost: $20 through October 31, 2025, or $50 from November 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026.

Without the plan: Repairs cost $150. An invoice will be sent from StudentDevices@hcps.org to the email on file for each parent or guardian.

Free and Reduced Meals: Students approved for free or reduced meals will automatically receive the protection plan. Click here to apply for free and reduced-price meals.

The protection plan covers two incidents of accidental damage per school year, if the device is submitted for repair with the service tag visible. It does not cover intentional damage, lost devices, or stolen items.

Replacement costs for items not covered by the device protection plan:

Charger – $36

Chromebook/laptop – $300

Dell Precision laptop – $1,400

Apple iPad – $399

We encourage you to review the optional plan and decide if it’s right for your family before the due dates. Click here to watch a short video about optional purchases for families.

Click here for a downloadable copy of the Student Device Agreement and Protection Plan.

If you have questions, email studentdevices@hcps.org.

The following message was sent to parents/guardians of students in Grades 1-9 on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. via email:

Harford County Public Schools is continuing to use the i-Ready Diagnostic assessments for reading and math. This assessment helps determine your child’s strengths and provides data for teachers that helps them better support your child.

The i-Ready Diagnostic is a computer-adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on student responses. Each question a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly more difficult questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions.

With i-Ready Diagnostic comes a feature called Family Center. If your child was tested during the fall window, their score report is now available. It is important to note that your child will need to log into their HCPS device for you to view their reports. Detailed instructions on how to access the Family Center once your child logs into their HCPS device are attached to this email, or you can click here. Spanish translated instructions can be found in the Resources for Parents page on hcps.org . Further information about these assessments can be viewed here. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.

The winter testing window will begin on January 5, 2026, and run through February 6, 2026. Testing dates may vary, as each school will schedule specific testing dates within the county window.

The following communication was sent to families of students in grades 3 through 12, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, via phone call, email, and text message.

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. Click here to see a copy of the Wellness Needs Assessment.

The window of administration of the assessment is October 20 through November 17, 2025. 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 communication was sent to all contacts, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. via email, and text message.

The proposed Harford County Public Schools 2026–2027 school year calendar was presented to the Board of Education of Harford County at the September 22, 2025, Board Business Meeting. Click here to watch the presentation.
The proposed calendar is now posted for 60 days of public comment. Please take a moment to review the proposed calendar and share your feedback before the Board of Education of Harford County holds a final vote on December 15, 2025.
Click here to review the draft calendar and provide your comments.

The following communication was sent to all elementary school families on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email and text message:

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, we are excited to share that the HCPS Patriot Program will be part of the instructional day in all elementary schools across Harford County Public Schools.
The Patriot Program seeks to foster civic-minded students with knowledge of the rich history of the United States, an appreciation for the democratic values that are the foundation of our society, and an understanding of the ways they can responsibly participate in and contribute to their communities. Through engaging lessons and activities, students in Pre-K through Grade 5 will explore important values such as pride, responsibility, and respect.
Program Highlights:

Official Launch: The program begins on Constitution Day, September 17, with a day of special lessons and activities.
Ongoing Learning: Throughout the year, students will explore nine areas of study, including civics, geography, history, art, music, physical education, media literacy, economics, and service learning.
Home to School Connection: Families will receive a Patriot Pathways newsletter at the end of each unit, offering ways to continue the conversation and learning at home.

Additional Opportunities:

While the Patriot Program will be taught during the school day for all students, PTAs may also offer “Beyond the Bell” Patriot activities as an optional, after-school program. They may also choose to sponsor activities or competitions alongside the Patriot Program to encourage students wanting to go above-and-beyond.
Schools will have flexibility to create their own celebrations and activities to make the Patriot Program special for their community.

We are proud to expand this program to every elementary school. Thank you for your support as we launch this exciting new opportunity for our youngest learners!

Parents and guardians: The Portable Communication Device Policy was updated in June 2025. If your school provides a student planner, it may have gone to print as early as April- before the policy was updated. This means your student planner may have an outdated version of the Portable Communication Device Policy. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you utilize the most up to date policy that is available here. This is the policy we will adhere to this school year.

The following message is being sent via email to all families and staff on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.:

We want to share important updates to two Board of Education of Harford County policies—Portable Communication Devices and Student Backpack Use—approved by the Board of Education on June 9, 2025. These changes go into effect for the upcoming school year and are designed to support a safe and focused learning environment.

Portable Communication Devices

Students may bring cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, and other portable communication devices to school; however, their use is limited during the school day:

Elementary School: Devices must be deactivated and stored in student bookbags upon arrival.

Middle School: Devices must be deactivated and secured in lockers for the duration of the school day.

High School: Devices must be kept in the student’s locker and deactivated during class time.

Smartwatches and similar wearables may be worn but must remain deactivated at all grade levels.

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.

Student Backpack and Bag Policy

The updated backpack and bag policy outlines expectations for storage to ensure clear pathways, student safety, and emergency preparedness:

Bookbags do not need to be clear, but they must be stored appropriately.

Elementary School: Bookbags must be placed in designated classrooms or cubby areas upon arrival.

Middle and High School: Bookbags must be stored in lockers during the school day.

Students may carry a nontransparent bag no larger than 4.5x8.5-inch with them for personal hygiene purposes.

Athletic bags and musical instrument cases at all grade levels must be taken directly to the appropriate storage areas upon arrival and not carried throughout the school day.

For more details and exceptions, please review the policy in its entirety via the attached document or on our website.

What Families Should Do

Review these updated policies with your student before the first day of school.

Make sure your child knows where and how to store their devices and bags.

Both policies will be actively enforced at the start of the school year.

Thank you for your partnership in helping maintain safe, organized, and distraction-free schools.

Sincerely,
Dr. Aaron Poynton
President, Board of Education of Harford County

News Alert for 11/13/2025

Nomination Window Open for 2026 Celebration of Excellence in Education