Good evening,

This is an important calendar reminder.

HCPS schools will close three hours early on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Calendar information for the entire 2023-2024 school year can be found on hcps.org.

All Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) students are assigned an iPad, Chromebook, or Dell laptop to use for the 2023-2024 school year. Your student’s device came with a copy of the Student Device Agreement and Protection Plan.  As noted in this agreement, in accordance with Board of Education policy, Use of Equipment/Materials by Students, the parent/guardian will be responsible for all damage or loss to an HCPS owned device, whether in or out of school. 

• HCPS is offering the option to purchase a device protection plan.  Please log into your School Cash Online account for each student to find this item available for purchase.  If you have already purchased the protection plan, you may DISREGARD this message.  The item will no longer be available for purchase in your account. 

 
This option is available to purchase at a discount for $20 through October 31, 2023, or for $50.00 if purchased November 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024. 

*Cost without the device protection plan:   Repair - $150   An invoice will be sent to the email on file from StudentDevices@hcps.org. 

If you apply and are approved for free and reduced meals, you will automatically receive the device protection plan. The application can be found at  https://www.myschoolapps.com/Home/PickDistrict.  

The fee for the protection plan is per student for the entire school year and is non-refundable. This plan will cover the cost of two incidents of accidental damage to the device, if submitted for repair with the service tag visible.  The plan will not cover any intentional damages. 

Replacement costs for a device beyond repair, lost, or stolen are:  

• Charger - $36  

• Chromebook/laptop - $300  

•  

• Dell Precision laptop - $1,400  

• Apple iPad - $399  

Please note: Lost or stolen items ARE NOT covered by the device protection plan. 

We encourage you to review and consider the optional device protection plan by the due dates.  

 Click here to view a short video about OPTIONAL PURCHASES FOR FAMILIES. 

 Any questions can be directed to studentdevices@hcps.org. 

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

For the 2024-2025 school year, 8th grade students who are applying to the Teacher Academy of Maryland Magnet may be offered seats in either Edgewood High School or North Harford High School via an established lottery process.

Students currently enrolled in TAM at Harford Technical High School will continue the program at Harford Technical high School through their graduation. 

Dear Parents and Guardians of fifth-grade students, 

This school year, your student will take part in an amazing opportunity at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center. The Fifth Grade Residential Outdoor Education Program is an overnight program and part of your student’s Environmental Stewardship unit. The hands-on learning opportunities at Harford Glen cannot be replicated in the classroom. 

Staff at Harford Glen will host eight Open Houses for you to bring your student, learn about the program and visit the facility. 

The Open Houses should take approximately 30 minutes and are self-guided, allowing you to explore the grounds, and facilities, on your own. Harford Glen staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. 

Open House dates: 
- Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Tuesday, September 26, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. 
- Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Tuesday, December 19, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 
- Friday, February 16, 2024 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. 
- Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. 

If Harford County Public Schools closes schools on any of the above dates, the Open House that day will be canceled. 

For more information about the Harford Glen programs, click here. 

Please be advised that we have been made aware of unauthorized web sites and smart phone apps that accept Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) student credentials, potentially stealing your students’ credentials and or misusing them.

Parents and guardians should check their student's personal devices for apps and web site access to prevent them from unknowingly giving access to their personal information. We use security measures on HCPS devices to ensure this doesn’t happen, but we can’t protect your personal devices. Only you can ensure your student isn’t using an app or visiting a site that may be collecting information in the background!  

All HCPS approved apps and platforms are listed on hcps.org; if we haven’t endorsed it, don’t use it. If you want to ask about a specific app/platform, contact User.Support@hcps.org. 

Dear Parents and Guardians,  

Harford County Public Schools, with support from a generous grant from the Harford County Health Department, is pleased to offer Care Solace to all students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace helps individuals find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers. Their care companion team is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and 365 days per year to quickly connect you to carefully verified providers in your community. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances and even options for those without insurance. This referral process is at no cost to you or the school system.   

For more information on Care Solace, how to connect someone, or how to utilize Care Solace yourself, please watch this Parent Academy Real Talk video.   

Parents/guardians and staff may access Care Solace services by utilizing the Care Solace website or calling (888) 515-0595. Support is available in 200+ languages. Parents/guardians can also call their child’s school to have administration or student services staff complete a referral on their behalf. 

Thank you,

Jillian Lader  
Manager of Communications  
Harford County Public Schools 

The following communication was sent to families on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 5 p.m.:

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

During the most recent legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly moved the date of the primary election for the State of Maryland. As a result, the primary elections will be held on May 14, 2023, instead of April 23, 2024. 

The Board of Education of Harford County (BOE) originally approved the 2023-2024 school year calendar at the Board of Education Business Meeting on December 19, 2022. As a result of the election date change, the BOE voted on Monday, May 22, 2023, to make the following adjustment to the 2023-2024 school year calendar: 

HCPS schools and offices will be open on April 23, 2024, and schools and offices will be closed on May 14, 2024, to allow our schools to to function as polling places for the election.

Calendar information can be found here. 

Thank you, 
Jillian Lader 
Manager of Communications 
Harford County Public Schools