HCPS will continue to serve school meals during the federal government shutdown. According to USDA guidance, there is currently no immediate impact on school meal funding or operations.

Families may apply for Free and Reduced-Priced Meal benefits at any time during the year. If your family has been affected by furloughs or a sudden loss of income, we encourage you to complete the application here: https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict

HCPS Food and Nutrition Services will continue to monitor updates from USDA, MSDE, and the School Nutrition Association and provide information as needed.

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HARFORD COUNTY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PARTICIPATION

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025

*VIRTUAL MEETING*

BUSINESS MEETING: 6:00 PM – ADJOURNMENT

This meeting will be conducted in a virtual fashion and public participation will be permitted as explained below:

The Board of Education of Harford County Business Meeting will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM with only Board Members, staff, and presenters in attendance virtually. The meeting will be streamed live and archived for later viewing on the HCPS Website.

Public Comment Participation Call-In Process

Individuals or groups recognized by Harford County Public Schools (i.e. – PTAs, unions, and other school system stakeholders) who wish to provide comments during the Public Comments segment of the Business meeting are required to register 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, October 6, 2025. All fields on the registration form must be completed.

1. First and Last name / if speaker is a Group Representative, then please state the name of the Group

2. Local Address

3. Email Address

4. Phone Number

5. Agenda item or subject your Public Comment pertains to

6. Will you provide in-person or virtual Public Comment

7. 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, October 6, 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.

The Board has authorized public comment as follows:

§ 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 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.

§ 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.

• 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. 

• 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. 

The following (full letter attached) is being shared with families who have Kindergarten students in HCPS, on behalf of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE):

KRA Parent Notification Letter_English_updated HCPS.pdf

KRA Parent Notification Letter Spanish updated HCPS.pdf

This fall your student will take the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). The KRA is an assessment that measures a student's knowledge, skills, and abilities in literacy, mathematics, and social and emotional development. It is given to all kindergarten students enrolled in public schools in Maryland by October 10th each year. The purpose of the KRA is to provide teachers and caregivers with information about what students know and can do, as well as to identify areas where they might need additional support. The assessment has three components:

• Star Early Literacy - 10-minute computer adaptive assessment of early literacy skills
• Star Math – 15-minute computer adaptive assessment of math skills
• SAEBRS (Social Academic Emotional Behavior Risk Screen) – 19-question survey completed based on
teacher observation

Most students will take the literacy and mathematics components of the KRA on a computer or tablet. The test will be read out loud to students who will use a mouse or touchscreen to select answers. Paper tests, ASL interpretation, and other accommodations are available for students who need them. Teachers will complete the social and emotional component of the assessment after spending the first few weeks of school getting to know students and completing observations.

Caregivers will receive information about how their student performed after the assessment has been administered. The results provide information about a student's mastery of the content and skills that will support their success in kindergarten. Performance on the KRA does not prevent a child from entering or remaining in kindergarten. The KRA results are only one piece of data, and scores should be understood in the context of other information, including feedback from a student’s teacher.

If you have questions about the KRA please speak with your student’s teacher.

Sincerely,
Erika McCrea
Executive Director of State Assessments

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