March Madness Event at Magnolia Middle

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On March 31, Magnolia Middle School hosted a March Madness event. Basketball teams from each grade competed during their physical education class in a tournament that culminated in three final four events, one for each grade. Students had the opportunity to make teams and participate or cheer for their peers while using the school’s PBIS program to make their selection. Two basketball referees, Shawn Drinan and Jim Harned, volunteered their services all day.

The event was very successful, and everyone finished the day excited and with the promise that it will be repeated.

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Fake MPSSAA Social Media Accounts Reported

Heading to a Fall State Championship Game? Follow Only Official MPSSAA Accounts

The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) has found fake social media accounts using its name, logos, and photos. Fans have lost money in the past buying tickets through links on accounts like these. Fan-run pages may also share information that isn’t accurate.

The only official MPSSAA accounts are Mpssaa on Facebook, mpssaa_sport on Instagram, and MPSSAA_Org on X. Check these accounts for real-time updates, including postponements and changes to game times or locations.

Good luck to all Harford County Public Schools teams competing this postseason!

11/6/2026 4:15 PM

Federal Impact Aid Forms

Federal Impact Aid Forms
Military families and those who work or live on federal property should have received an Impact Aid Survey Form. Please return it to your student’s school by Friday, November 13, 2026. If you have not received a printed form, you can access a blank copy here.

11/4/2026 11:30 AM

HCPS Proposed 2027-2028 School Year Calendar

The following message was sent to all contacts on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via phone call, email, and text message:

The proposed Harford County Public Schools 2027-2028 school year calendar was presented to the Board of Edcuation of Harford County at the October 12, 2026, Board Business Meeting. Click here to watch the presentation.

The proposed calendar is now posted for 30 days of public comment. Please take a moment to review the proposed calendar and share your feedback with the Board of Education efore the Board votes on the final version of the 2027-2028 school year calendar on November 23, 2026.

Click here to review the draft calendar.

Click here to provide your comments on the 2027-2028 HCPS school year calendar for the Board to review.

10/22/2026 5:00 PM

Parent Academy Lunch and Learn: "Why our Children Self-Harm"

The next Parent Academy Lunch and Learn, Why our Children Self-Harm, is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. Register here. See the full calendar of sessions here.

10/21/2026 4:00 PM

Federal Impact Aid Forms

Military families and those who work or live on federal property will receive an Impact Aid survey form after October 31. Please return it to your student’s school by Friday, November 13. These forms help determine federal funding for HCPS and your students’ school. If you do not receive a Pre-printed form, a blank copy will be available on hcps.org after October 31.

10/21/2026 4:00 PM

Inclement Weather Season Reminders

The following message was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, October 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, and text message:

Here are a few important things to remember for the inclement weather season! HCPS utilizes the following schedule changes when needed.

CLOSURES:

Can be determined the night before;

Can be determined morning of by 5:15 A.M.;

Can be determined by 6:45 A.M. if a 2-hour delay was first implemented;

Can be determined by 7:45 A.M. if a 3-hour delay was first implemented.

Please note: Closures need to be made up. HCPS will utilize inclement weather days that are already built into the school year. The first 3 inclement weather days that require a closure will be made up on March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027 (in that order). If we do not use these make up days, schools and offices will be closed.

After the first 3 inclement weather days, HCPS may have Virtual Instruction on any additional closures due to inclement weather. The Inclement Weather Learning Plan for Systemwide Closures 2026-2027 includes more information about what students will do on Virtual Instruction days. Depending on the severity and timing of the event, HCPS may determine that a traditional closure, delayed opening, or early dismissal is more appropriate.

DELAYS:

A 2-hour delay.

A 3-hour delay.

Please note: 2- and 3-hour delays do not need to be made up; when schools are open, it counts towards the state mandated 180-day school year.

With a delay, take your students' normal schedule, and add the delay time to adjust your schedule. For example, if you normally arrive at the bus stop at 6:30 a.m., on a 2-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 8:30 a.m. and on a 3-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 9:30 a.m.

*Early Learner and Learning Together preschool programs do NOT meet when schools are delayed 2- or 3-hours for inclement weather.*

When schools are delayed, every effort will be made to make a reassessment by 6:45 a.m. for a 2-Hour Delay, and by 7:45 a.m. for a 3-Hour Delay. Following the reassessment, communication will ONLY be made if there is another change to the operating schedule.

The decision to dismiss early for inclement weather will be made as close to 9:30 a.m. as possible for any variation of time for an early dismissal, whether 1-, 2-, or 3-hours early.

*If schools have an unexpected early dismissal, ALL contacts, including emergency contacts listed for each student, will be contacted to ensure an adult is aware that the student will be home early that day.

Where will this information be posted?

As soon as the Communications Office is made aware of operational changes due to inclement weather, written messages will be posted, followed by direct messages. Order of posts:

HCPS website

HCPS App push notification

Phone, email, and text message (these can occur as early as 5:00 a.m.; please set your ringers accordingly!)

Social media

Local media outlets

10/8/2026 5:00 PM

2027-2028 FAFSA Now Open: Free Help Available for Harford County Families

The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Completing the FAFSA is the first step for students to apply for federal financial aid for college, including grants, work-study, and student loans.

Whether your family is completing the FAFSA for the first time or just needs a refresher, free help is available this school year.

Fall Information Sessions

Harford Community College (HCC) will host four financial aid and FAFSA information sessions this fall. These sessions are a great opportunity for students and families to get their questions answered and learn more about paying for college.

Wednesday, October 14, 6 to 8 p.m. Financial Aid Information Session, Harford Community College, CWC 198. Register here
Monday, November 2, 6 to 8 p.m. FAFSA Information Session, North Harford High School. Register here
Thursday, November 5, 6 to 8 p.m. FAFSA Information Session, Aberdeen High School. Register here
Thursday, November 5, 6 to 8 p.m. FAFSA Information Session, Joppatowne High School. Register here

January FAFSA Completion Days

In January, staff versed in financial aid will visit several high schools during the school day to help students complete the FAFSA one on one. Evening sessions will follow to help parents and families complete the FAFSA and answer any questions.

Date	Time	Location	Session
January 12, 2027	8 to 10 a.m.	Joppatowne High School	Student FAFSA Completion
January 13, 2027	8 to 10 a.m.	Aberdeen High School	Student FAFSA Completion
January 14, 2027	8 to 10 a.m.	Aberdeen High School	Student FAFSA Completion
January 19, 2027	8 to 10 a.m.	Havre de Grace High School	Student FAFSA Completion
January 19, 2027	6 to 8 p.m.	Havre de Grace High School	Evening Family FAFSA Assistance
January 21, 2027	6 to 8 p.m.	Aberdeen High School	Evening Family FAFSA Assistance
January 25, 2027	8 to 10 a.m.	North Harford High School	Student FAFSA Completion
January 25, 2027	6 to 8 p.m.	North Harford High School	Evening Family FAFSA Assistance
January 26, 2027	6 to 8 p.m.	Joppatowne High School	Evening Family FAFSA Assistance

Students and families can complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov. For more information, contact your student's school counselor.

9/28/2026 10:22 AM

Harford Glen Open House for 5th Grade Families

The following message was sent to all 5th grade families on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via email and text message:

This year, your student will participate in the Fifth-Grade Residential Outdoor Education Program at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center. This program is an integral part of their Environmental Stewardship Unit in Science.

Before your child's experience, you are invited to attend an Open House at Harford Glen. These sessions are self-guided and last approximately 30 minutes. Harford Glen staff will be available to answer questions.

The first Open House is on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Click here to see a full listing of all open house dates and times.

If Harford County Public Schools closes schools for any of the scheduled dates, the Open House will be canceled.

For more information about Harford Glen, click here.

9/3/2026 5:00 PM

Board of Education of Harford County Signs Superintendent Contract with Dr. Dyann R. Mack

On June 22, 2026 the Board of education of Harford County Board formally approved and signed the contract for Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) with Dr. Dyann R. Mack, marking a significant milestone for the school system and the community it serves.

During the Board’s meeting, members also presented Dr. Mack with a special proclamation recognizing her historic achievements and deep-rooted connection to Harford County. Dr. Mack is the first graduate of Harford County Public Schools to return as Superintendent, the first graduate of Joppatowne High School to serve in the role, and the first Black Superintendent in HCPS history.

“Dr. Mack’s journey from HCPS student to Superintendent is both inspiring and historic,” said Board of Education President Lauren Paige. “Her leadership reflects a deep understanding of our schools, our students, and our community. We are proud to welcome her into this role and confident in her vision for the future of Harford County Public Schools.”

Dr. Mack’s appointment underscores HCPS’s commitment to fostering leadership from within and celebrating excellence across the district. In accepting the proclamation, Dr. Mack expressed gratitude and a strong commitment to continuing the work of strengthening HCPS for all students.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as Superintendent of the school system that helped shape me,” said Dr. Mack. “I am deeply grateful to the Board for their trust and to this community for its support. Together, we will continue to build on our successes and ensure every student is Ready by Design.”

The Board’s proclamation highlights not only Dr. Mack’s professional accomplishments but also the significance of representation and the powerful message her leadership sends to current and future students across Harford County.

Dr. Mack will begin her tenure July 1, 2026, as Superintendent under the newly signed contract, working in partnership with the Board of Education, HCPS staff, students, families, and the broader community, to advance the district’s mission and goals.

6/24/2026 6:50 AM

2026-2027 School Year Calendar UPDATE

The following message will be shared in the Wednesday Wire on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with all families:

On April 27, 2026, the Board of Education of Harford County approved updates to the 2026–2027 school calendar to better plan for inclement weather days.

Three days during the school year—March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027—have been set aside as potential inclement weather makeup days (in that order). These replace the previous plan of adding makeup days to the end of the school year. *If no weather-related school closures occur before these dates, schools and offices will be closed on those days.

This change follows a resolution from the Maryland State Board of Education, which requires school systems to build inclement weather makeup days into the school year rather than placing them at the end. The state also allows up to three additional inclement weather days to be handled through virtual instruction, for a total of six possible makeup days (three in-person and three virtual).

Making these changes allows HCPS to remain eligible to request a calendar waiver from the state, if needed, and ensures the school system is able to consider virtual instruction as an option for inclement weather. As soon as details regarding potential use of virtual instruction for inclement weather become available, the details will be shared with the HCPS community.

As a result of this update, the last day of school for students in kindergarten through grade 11 will be an early dismissal on Thursday, June 17, 2027.

The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español.

4/28/2026 1:16 PM

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