Instructional Technology Newsletters

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 families of students in grades 1-9 on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email:

Harford County Public Schools is excited to share with families who have a student(s) in grades 1 through 9 that our schools have been using the new i-Ready Diagnostic assessments for reading and math. This new assessment will help determine your child’s strengths, and areas for growth. The assessments also provide data for our teachers that help them 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.

We are excited that with i-Ready Diagnostic, comes a feature called Family Center. This feature will be available beginning Wednesday, March 12, 2025. Families can access diagnostic score reports for each of their children in the i-Ready platform. It is important to note that your child will need to log into their Canvas account for you to view their reports. Detailed instructions on how to access the Family Center once your child logs into their Canvas account are attached to this email. Should you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

The following communication was sent to families of 12^th grade students on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. via email:

Harford County Public Schools Counseling Services has gathered a variety of scholarship opportunities for students planning to continue their education after high school. You can explore the available scholarships by clicking here.

For any questions or assistance, please contact your student’s school counseling office.

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 Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to parents and guardians of students in grades 1 through 11 via email, phone call, and text message:

On February 26, 2025, the window opens to apply for virtual and blended programs at Swan Creek School for the 2025-2026 school year. The application window will remain open until March 28, 2025.

The application for the 2025-2026 school year at Swan Creek School will be available at registration.hcps.org. Please note, this is a new process and designed to streamline the application process.

All applications will be reviewed, and enrollment decisions will be communicated by Swan Creek School staff by April 30, 2025.

Please note, the availability of this program will be determined by future budget considerations.

For more information about Swan Creek School, check out this video.

If applications exceed capacity, a lottery will be utilized to select eligible students.

Harford County Public Schools is thrilled to announce our 54 Teacher of the Year nominees!

Each school has selected one teacher as part of our Teacher of the Year Celebration. These 54 nominees are given the choice to move forward in the rigorous selection process to name the Top 5 Finalists and ultimately the 2025 Teacher of the Year.

The 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced at the Harford County Public Schools Celebration of Excellence in Education celebration on April 8, 2025.

We congratulate all the nominees and wish them the best of luck!

Click here to view a full list.

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.

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.